Friday, May 8, 2009

Late Nigerian Activist's Son to See Shell in Court


Oil firm faces trial amid accusations of complicity in human rights abuses.

New York - Ken Saro-Wiwa Jr. has been fighting for more than 13 years to make his late father's prediction come true.

It will happen this month when relatives of victims of the Nigerian government's violent crackdown on residents of the oil-rich region, where Royal Dutch Shell had drilling operations, will get to challenge the deaths and injuries in a U.S. court.

The trial that starts May 26 in U.S. District Court in New York stems from two lawsuits accusing Royal Dutch Petroleum Co. and the former managing director of its Nigerian subsidiary, Shell Transport and Trading PLC, of being complicit in decisions by Nigeria's then-military government to hang oil industry opponents, including playwright and activist Ken Saro-Wiwa.

"In a sense we already have a victory, because one of the things my father said was that Shell would one day have its day in court," Saro-Wiwa said in an interview with The Associated Press on Monday. "We felt they had ducked their responsibility for what happened in Nigeria, so we wanted to fulfill that prediction."

CLICK HERE to read full story

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

From East Trinidad


DISMISSAL OF RIA SINANAN – DOMESTIC WORKER

Ria Sinanan worked as a Domestic Worker for a family in the East of Trinidad, she is twenty eight (28) years old and started employment with the employer in June, 1998 until she was dismissed on 7th April, 2009.

She reported to the Union that she was told to go on the roof of the employer`s house to show a workman, who came to repair the roof, where the leaks were. She said she did as she was told and when she left the roof and was climbing down the ladder, the ladder slipped and she fell off the roof and broke her hand. She said it was a rainy day and the ladder was a folding ladder. The employer never investigated as to what caused the ladder to slip. The worker said it was because of the rain.
However, the worker said the employer came outside and saw her on the ground after she started calling for help. The employer then went inside and called her mother on the telephone and told her that her daughter had an accident and she should come and take her to the hospital.

Her mother Margaret Sinanan said when she arrived the ambulance was already there apparently waiting for her and she said she alighted the ambulance immediately and accompanied her daughter to the Hospital.
The worker was examined at the Sangre Grande Hospital and was then referred to the Port of Spain General Hospital (approximately 30 miles away) to be attended to. She was examined and her hand put in cast.

Her mother Margaret said she took up employment with the employer for three weeks while her daughter was nursing her broken hand but they had a disagreement and the employer told both Margaret and Ria to leave her House and do not come back.
Margaret said what caused the argument is that Ria came to the employer`s home where she was working and she asked her what she was doing there? Ria said she came to feed the dogs because the Madam had called her. Her mother Margaret then told the employer that Margaret`s Doctor said she should be resting the hand. But the employer insisted that Ria could still be at work to answer the door, open the gate and feed the dog.

The mother said she took up the job with Ria`s employer, and worked for three weeks and she was paid $50.00 per week. She said she took the job only because, she said “they will brainwash her and make her do things she should not be doing with her hand”. She also said she worked Monday to Saturday four hours per day.

Meanwhile they gave Ria $200 per week until they dismissed she and her mother three weeks after the accident. She was not qualified to receive injury benefits from the National Insurance Scheme because the employer had never registered her with the National Insurance nor did the employer pay any contributions on her behalf.
The worker was never given injury leave. She was deprived benefits under the National Insurance, and her injury caused her to be dismissed.

There is nowhere for this worker to seek redress. The Industrial Relations Act (IRA) deprives her of the right to recourse, because under the Act she is not regarded as a worker. Never the less she can seek redress with regards to violations of the Minimum Wages (Household Assistant Order) Act.

Ria worked:
Monday to Saturday from 7.00a.m. to 6.00p.m.
Sundays 8.00a.m. to 11.30 a.m. and she would return for 3.00p.m. to 5.00pm. for a weekly salary of $450.00.

She was not paid extra for working overtime, or for working on Public Holidays, she never received Vacation leave neither was she paid for it.
DOMESTIC WORKERS ARE NOT COVERED UNDER THE OSHA

Ion

Monday, March 23, 2009

International Day of Actions for Rivers Be Free and Restore the Almighty River Indus! New Strategy for Struggle against Dams

International Day of Actions for Rivers
Be Free and Restore the Almighty River Indus!
New Strategy for Struggle against Dams offered by PFF

“People of Sindh may revise their present protest strategy against the dams.
Since a long, they have been struggling against the constructions of upcoming new dams on River Indus to be planned by the rulers but now they should raise the voice not only against the construction of new dams but instead, they also should struggle to break the present dams already constructed on upstream of entire Indus River System and get the confined Almighty Indus untied and restored its indigenous youthful flows and tides.” This surprising new strategy against the dams was loudly ratified by hundreds of men & women activists at the conclusion of colorful celebration of “International Day of Actions for Rivers” organized by Pakistan Fisher-Folk Forum held on 14th March in the middle of waterless and deserted sandy embrace of great River Indus near the venue of Al-Manzar Jamshoro downward of Kotri Barrage’s closed gates towards downstream.
PFF’s Chairperson Muhammad Ali Shah in his concluding speech at the occasion initiated that new and surprising offer of Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum for people and civil society’s ongoing struggle against the construction of dams. Fishermen’s national social movement Pakistan Fisher-Folk Forum celebrated the day with gathering of hundreds of men & women fisher activists. A large number of notified water activists representing various civil society organizations also joined the Day. Muhammad Ali Shah said PFF’s new offer of struggle with which the constructed dams would be intended to break was supposed to be seen impossible in our country but it could surely be done and it was being done in all over the world and same should be done any how to restore the indigenous surged flows of Almighty Indus River. He said the movement for breaking the dams had been launching everywhere in the world including United States of America. Instead of their ongoing defensive position, people should come now in the offensive position, he added. Notified intellectuals Karamat Ali of PILER said at the occasion that people should join their struggle with the ongoing struggles of all the countries of South Asian region because their Indus comes and passing through more than one country. He said the rulers of only one country did not confine it but the rulers of India, Nepal and Pakistan jointly made it as hostage by construction of hundreds of dams and canals. The movement against dams was also carried on by the people of India, Nepal & Bhutan, he added. Prof. He emphasized that people of all over South Asia must be come together in that regard. Ali Arsalan, Sharafat Ali, Mustafa Baloch the Regional Manager SPO, Kashif Bajeer, Noor Muhammad Bajeer, water expert Nazir Memon, Tahira Ali Shah, SAWFCO chief Suleman Abro and all the presidents of PFF district units joined and addressed the ceremony.
The Chairperson of PFF called the participants to get the consensus by showing up their hands to put their pressure on the rulers for breaking one of the present dams. He asked: “What would be the first dam you want to break?” Thousands of hands were raised up to show their unanimous consensus for launching movement to break Tarbella Dam at first instance.
Before the commencement of conference, hundreds of men and women wearing multi-colored clothing jointly made a long zigzag human-chain across inside of the waterless river to demonstrate their solidarity, tribute and love with their beloved mother “Sindhu”, Almighty Indus.
After that women led by the leadership of Pakistan Fisher-Folk Forum including its Chairperson Muhammad Ali Shah put so many red roses in Sindhu to express their cheer of love and to give the assertion of sincerity and sacrifice.
In between the intervals of speeches during all over the event the various folk singers including Sodho Jogi, Moula Bux malah, Azad Mirwahi and Aziz Malah had been offering a number of folk songs and melodies bursting with devoted admiration of motherland; its beautiful rivers, mountains, forests, innocent people and soil’s natural panoramas. Songs were also filled with the cries of distresses of deprived natives & mobilizing messages and excitements for struggle. The youthful guys had passionately been thrilling & dancing on the stimulating rhythm of the folk music.
The end Saeed Baloch General Secretary thanks and closed conference.

Wednesday, February 11, 2009

Fisherwomen protest illegal detainment of fishermen

Wednesday, February 11, 2009
By our correspondent

Karachi

A large number of fisherwomen protested excesses allegedly committed by Indian coastal authorities outside the Sindh Assembly premises on Tuesday, and later marched towards Karachi Press Club, where the protest culminated.

Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum (PFF) organised the rally, and was led by its chairperson Mohammed Ali Shah. The relatives of victims hailing from different coastal areas of Thatta district, Keti Bunder, Kharochan, Shah Bunder, Chuch Jahan Khan, Jati, Jungisar and Haji Yousuf Katiar took active part in the rally to demand the release of fishermen who are languishing in different jails in India.

Speakers at the rally said that the lingering dispute between both neighbouring countries over the Sir Creek has been the main cause of fishermen’s suffering. They demanded that the dispute should be settled so that fishermen of both sides can take find relief as they have lost many people, who have died in jails.

Quoting recent incidents, Mohammed Ali Shah accused Indian authorities of violating Pakistani territories and arresting crew members. He urged world human rights groups to pressurise the Indians to abide by international laws.

Mohammed Ismail, the owner of recently lost fishing boat Mashallah carrying 11 crewmembers, told The News that he is sure that “his people” must be in Indian jails. He said that despite all efforts, there have been no information about the incident, and the families remain apprehensive and uncertain. 

Tahira Ali, a PFF activist, said: “It is inhumane that breadwinners are being arrested, whose wives and children suffer deprivation and poverty back home.”

Tuesday, February 3, 2009

Pakistan, India urged to release fishermen

KARACHI: Pakistan, India urged to release fishermen

By Our Staff Reporter

KARACHI, Jan 28: The Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum has called for release of all detained fishermen languishing in the prisons of India and Pakistan on charges of crossing the water zone of their respective country for fishing.

Addressing a news conference on Wednesday, PFF chairman Mohammad Shah said fishermen of both the countries had been detained and tortured by the security agencies on charges of crossing the water zone of their respective country. For years they were not produced in any court, he said.

Mr Shah said that since there was no visible demarcation in sea water between the two countries, the fishermen of both the countries strayed into the water zone of other countries due to inclement weather in search of fish. He urged the governments of India and Pakistan to take measures to resolve the issue of arrest and detention of fishermen on a permanent basis.

He suggested the government of Pakistan make a good-will gesture by releasing all detained Indian fishermen so that the Indian government might also reciprocate with the same spirit.

The PFF leader said the forum had been raising the issue repeatedly and highlighting the need of finding out a permanent solution to the problem by both the governments. He further said that since there were no visible boundaries and no signs installed to warn the fishermen about the sea border, the governments should work out “an imaginary” border in the Sir Creek region.

According to him, there are 79 Pakistani fishermen detained in India while 300 Indian fishermen had been in custody of Pakistani security agencies.

Sunday, February 1, 2009

National Conference on Indus Delta and Declaration

National Conference on Indus Delta with the theme of Release of water to downstream Kotri

On 19th January, 2009. At hotel Regent Plaza Karachi.

In conference decided that Struggle for New Water Paradigm in Pakistan.

Unanimously agreed to form a New Water paradigm Commission of Pakistan.

Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum organized a one day conference on ‘Indus Delta on 19th January, 2009 at Hotel Regent Plaza in Karachi. 

The conference was attended by water experts, researchers, civil society organizations and a large number of community members. 

The chief guest of conference was Marvi Memon and chaired the conference by A N G Abbasi. Besides, Qazi Abdul Majeed, Keisar Bangali, Karamat Ali, Abrar Qazi, Mohammad Khan Memon, Humaira Alwani, Dr.Ghulam Akber, Tahir Qureshi, Nazir Memon, Zulfiqar Halepoto, Ejaz Qureshi, Gulab Shah and Khadim Hussain

Muhammad Ali Shah, Chairperson Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum welcomed the participants and explained the objectives of Conference.

Objectives of the conference were bring together the key stakeholders to discuss the problems, faced by downstream communities in Sindh and the causes of this ecological disaster. The speakers examined and discussed different solutions and local ideas to prevent such a massive ecological disaster in the Indus Delta.

The one-day conference consisted of two sessions one technical session and second political session. Before start of the technical sessions, the introductory sitting was led by the representatives of the partner organizations.

They said, are destroying ecological setting in lower Sindh, particularly in Delta region along with raising political disorder in overall Sindhi society. 

The experts also discussed different issues and dimensions of urban infrastructure in the context of degradation of coastal areas. Participants particularly referred to the disposal of untreated sewage and industrial pollution of the urban areas like Karachi into the sea. 

This practice, has led to destruction of mangroves-- a nursery and shelter zone of fish species. Due to extreme decline in water flow towards the sea in the delta for over two decades has caused eradication of mangrove forest to one-third, submergence of over 2.2 million acres fertile land into sea, depleting fisheries resources, pushing two million people bellow poverty line and causing migration of nearly .3 million people from the deltaic areas. 

In conference the speakers and participants urged and demanded that No more water-cuts are made in the upstream of the Indus Delta nor any such scheme be pursued that necessitates Further Diversion Of Water. It is a must to rehabilitate the tail-end of Indus River that is the Indus Delta. This means no more dams on Indus including the contemplated Kalabagh and Bhashah Dam. Besides, the gross damage so far caused in the Indus Delta as a result of water cuts for decades be compensated fully in the light of a comprehensive study of the damage to lives, livelihoods, mangroves, fisheries, livestock and other manifestations of bio-diversity in the Indus Delta.

Participants stressed the need for a change in approach of policymakers, whose ill- advised policies have created such a situation. Water management is a global issue and remained a major source of conflict among the nations. The governments must tackle the issue for durable peace they opined. 

Declaration derived from the suggestions of the participants, were presented at the concluding session. The participants approved the declaration by raising their hands in their favor.

In conference unanimously decided that in Pakistan there is no any people centered policy as well as the ecology friendly in view of this participants of conference approved to form the New Water Paradigm Commission. The commission will be comprised on civil society, environmentalists, water experts, scientists, communities and politicians.

First meeting of the commission will be held first week of Febuary, 2009 and PFF will host the meeting.

For Newspaper links please click here
http://www.nation.com.pk/pakistan-news-newspaper-daily-english-online/Re...
http://www.dawn.com/2009/01/20/local4.htm
http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=158110

DECLARATION
National Conference on Indus Delta
19 the Janury,2009
DECLARATION
• We, the participants representing civil society, NGOS, water experts, researchers, activists, environmentalists, politicians and deltaic and fishing communities from across the country, which have concern regarding the depletion of Indus Delta, having gathered at National conference on Indus Delta with the theme of Release of water to downstream Kotri on 19th January, 2009. At hotel Regent Plaza, Karachi.
• The degradation of the Indus Delta has a multidimensional effect on people, language, ecology, biodiversity and the region’s overall environment. Reduction of fresh water flows, and fertile silt, ‘has, tremendously affected the Indus Delta. Sea intrusion has inundated more than 2.2 million acres of farm land of Thatta and Badin districts.The resulting degradation manifested itself in reduction of mangroves coverage (important fish habitat), declining fish stocks, shrinking agricultural land and vegetation, vertical and horizontal intrusion of sea, degraded ground water, and significant reduction in livestock's grazing areas
• Mangrove forests are steadily depleted, leaving the region vulnerable to greater damage from storm flooding. Thousands of people who were surviving on water of Indus Dalta have migrated from area.
• Declaring that water is a fundamental element of life on the land, and thus access to water is Human Right that must be protected equally for all people, in all places, at all times. As such, the water should not be treated as a commodity for trade, control and sale, but as a resource belonging to the people who depend on it for their lives.
• Recognizing that The restoration of rivers, delta, springs, lakes, estuaries, coastal waters and protection of wetlands and aquifers as a heritage of the biosphere, including its values of collective identity, aesthetic beauty, and quality of life, will pose a significant challenge. Further, We believe that the highest priority is to adopt a new ethical approach based on the recognition of the different functions and values of water in order to prioritize the rights involved
• Recognizing that there is a huge economic cost associated with degradation of delta. The water managers have only project the cost of water in agriculture and dam building, they have never realized the economic benefits of environmental services which were being provided by Delta including shield to floods, carbon sunk, and fishing, protection of coastal land from erosion, sustaining food chain in the coastal zones, fisheries and many more benefits. Now all these benefits are lost, there must a calculation of these costs.

• Recognizing that Water is a life and the basic function of water of providing survival for humans must be acknowledged as a top priority, a universal, human right. The sustainability of the biosphere and the exercise of human rights must be guaranteed on the basis of the principle of efficacy.

• Thus we support the General Comment No. 15 of the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (29th session, Geneva, 11-29 November 2002 ), which recognizes in paragraph 1 that “Water is a limited natural resource and public good fundamental for life and health. The human right to water is indispensable for leading a life in human Dignity”
• An Integrated New Water Paradigm approach should be adopted in the Indus river basin. However, before this can be tackled effectively, peoples’ fundamental human right to water, and an equitable distribution of water rights must be established for people living along all reaches of the Indus River, especially for those communities located in the lower Indus Delta. This should be established as the foundation of any water- management planning.
• Further, Conference’s participants understand that Achieving sustainability, equity and democratic governance in water management is one of the main challenges for the international community in the 21st century, and we believe that the scientific community must become involved in this debate through an inter-disciplinary effort.
• An Integrated New Water Paradigm approach should bring together ground water, surface water and land management aspects and consider environment as an essential user of water. Moreover it must strike a fair and sustainable balance between social, environmental and economic considerations. Finally, it should include not only larger water allocations, but should also ensure that no more water cuts are made in the upstream of Indus nor any such scheme be pursued that necessitates FURTHER DIVERSION OF WATER. It is a essential to rehabilitate the tail-end of Indus River that is the INDUS DELTA. This means no more dams on INDUS including the contemplated Kalabagh Dam. Besides, the gross damage so far caused in the Indus Delta as a result of water cuts for decades be compensated fully in the light of a comprehensive study of the damage to lives, livelihoods, mangroves, fisheries, livestock and other manifestations of bio-diversity in the Indus Delta.
• Considering the dire environmental conditions facing the Indus Delta Eco-region and their negative effect on the communities’ livelihood; all future plans, constructions, and policies should ensure significant and adequate flow of water through the Indus Delta (below Kotri Barrage).Adequate flows are considered to be sufficient releases to maintain ecological health and human wellbeing along all reaches of the Indus river, at all time of the year, during all years. In this context, 10MAF is recommended by the 1991 Water Accord signed by both Punjab and Sindh; 27MAF has been recommended by IUCN Pakistan Chapter only for rehabilitation of Mangroves, and at least 35MAF being demanded by coastal communities of Pakistan’s Sindh Coast. This is a necessary precondition to ensure the realization of the Human Rights of deltaic communities, and to provide a basis for developing future water policy and pans.
• There should be an independent study conducted through national and international universities. This study will determine the flow of fresh water downstream Kotri and the actual need of fresh water for the rehabilitation of Indus Delta and its future survival needs. This study should also determine about the ecological, environmental, economical and social losses of Indus Deltaic people from the upstream diversion, cuts and constructions of dams and barrages prior the partition of India to onward. In the light of above study federal government should be compensate to all affectless.

• Climate change is likely to increase water-related hazards and threats and must be confronted through a serious application of the Precautionary Principle. In particular, there is a need to priorities alternative strategies to the traditional large-scale Engineering solutions, and recover the good ecological state of aquatic ecosystem. Social conflict originating in the lack of respect for the human right to essential water service or in the displacement of huge populations from their land by Large-scale hydraulic schemes, among their issues.

• All the participants of conference declare and to bring the issue to the notice of all stakeholders including government, that is, to make them realize that the flow of water downstream Kotri is not a waste but an exigent need through resurfacing the concocted perception and inhuman stance and statements of so-called rulers over the water distribution and management.

• We urge to this democratic government to constitute an Indus Delta rehabilitation and revival commission and allocate adequate resources for the revival of all forms of life that has been damaged and provide an alternate livelihood to all the communities who have largely been victim of this inequitable distribution of water and lost their means of livelihood.

Thursday, January 29, 2009

Save Zimbabwe Now! www.savezimbabwenow.com

Dear friend

Over the past weekend, residents of Merebank (is a community in KZN) were invited to attend a community meeting where Mr Kumi Naidoo (an activist from Durban) briefed us on the situation in that country. He, and a number of sympathisers, are demonstrating by peaceful means such as fasting and hunger strikes. He was in the fifth day of his hunger strike and it was plainly evident to us that the lack of food has in no way dissipated his passion for his cause. It was a humbling experience for all those present.

This initiative is now gaining momentum within both within the country and across our borders to pledge support to the people of Zimbabwe who are experiencing political and economic crisis at the moment. There is a website which you can visit to gain a greater insight into the current situation from sources other than the popular media: www.savezimbabwenow.com

You can also sign a petition, freely and voluntary, even anonymously if you wish, the petition will be sent to our country's president who is engaged in the brokering of an agreement. The petition calls for a swift end to the political impasse and a restoration of the basic dignity of the people of that country.

As a concerned African and a concerned South African, you would surely want to participate in this cause in a simple way such as signing a petition on the website. Ultimately, South Africa and its people can only prosper if our neighbouring countries are economically and politically stable. Our progress cannot happen in isolation.

Please pass this message on to your family and friends

Regards
Fareeda Jadwat


Posted on Behalf of Ida Blanc