Challenging Poverty and Inequality Through Human Rights

Congratulations to N.U.D.E.

2011-08-19T08:59:00.000-07:00

15, August 2011

Ms Ida Le Blanc,
National Union of Domestic Employees ( NUDE),
Wattley Trace,
Mt Pleasant Road,
Arima,
Trinidad and Tobago.

Dear Ida,

I write on behalf of CAFRA (Trinidad and Tobago) and CAFRA members throughout the region to congratulate you and all domestic workers on the achievement of the Domestic Worker Convention adopted at the 100th International Labour Conference on June 16, 2011. We can only agree with the ILO's Director-General, Juan Somavia, when he called it a historic moment for domestic workers worldwide. As a delegate to this conference you were there to be part of this important milestone.

Congratulations are due because this victory is the result of the hard and sustained work of the late Clotil Walcott, visionary leader of the National Union of Domestic employees who with her colleagues James Lynch and Salisha Ali founded this organisation in 1982. Clotil’s legacy was ably continued by you Ida and other members of NUDE both locally and internationally in the cause of improving the working conditions of domestic workers.

In these efforts supported by the local women’s movement, special mention must be made of Ms Constance Thomas, who during her tenure at the regional office on the ILO in Trinidad and Tobago became a friend of the workers of the region and in particular took up the case of decent work for domestic workers as part of her personal agenda.

Today as we celebrate this historic occasion and remember all those who are no longer with us we are reminded that progress, though hard and sometimes daunting, with the right strategy and commitment will be achieved in the end.

While this is the end of a long struggle it is also the beginning of a new era. We hope that using this convention, conditions for domestic workers can be improved in Trinidad and Tobago and the region more generally and that finally as Clotil demanded during her lifetime, domestic workers (or household assistants as they are named in the Industrial Relations Act) will be officially defined as workers.

We appreciate the effort made over the years to improve the conditions of work of these predominantly women workers, performing work that is necessary but often undervalued and unappreciated, and wish NUDE every success in the future.

In sisterhood,

Tara Ramoutar,
National Representative,
CAFRA – Trinidad and Tobago

Copies to:
Ms Flavia Cherry – Interim Chair, CAFRA
All members Regional Committee CAFRA
The News Editor – Trinidad Express
Trinidad Guardian
Trinidad Newsday
One Caribbean Media
CNMG
WIN TV
IETV
Power 102.1 FM
I.95.5 fm
103.1 fm
Minister of Labour, Honourable Errol McLeod
Minister of Gender, Youth and Child Development – Honourable Verna St. Rose Greaves
Ms Hazel Brown – Envoy for Women c/o NGO Network
Ms. Brenda Gopeesingh - Envoy for Women
Ms Roberta Clarke - UNWOMAN

N.U.D.E. Update from Ida Blanc

2010-05-03T12:37:00.001-07:00

http://ttdomesticworkers.blogspot.com/

http://www.demotix.com/news/278504/long-march

2010-04-02T23:56:00.000-07:00

http://www.demotix.com/news/278504/long-march

Late Nigerian Activist's Son to See Shell in Court

2009-05-08T06:58:00.000-07:00

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

From East Trinidad

2009-04-21T06:21:00.000-07:00

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

Check Out What Is Happening In Trinidad and Tobago

2009-04-16T15:33:00.000-07:00

http://drummit2summit.blogspot.com/

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

2009-03-23T10:23:00.000-07:00

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.

Fisherwomen protest illegal detainment of fishermen

2009-02-11T20:36:00.000-08:00

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.”

Pakistan, India urged to release fishermen

2009-02-03T11:47:00.000-08:00

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.

National Conference on Indus Delta and Declaration

2009-02-01T01:12:00.000-08:00

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.

Save Zimbabwe Now! www.savezimbabwenow.com

2009-01-29T12:52:00.000-08:00

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

Economic Crunch Disastrous for Fisherfolk

2008-12-29T06:15:00.000-08:00

Thursday, December 25, 2008
By By Jan Khaskheli
Karachi

The recent economic crunch has proved fatal for the marginalised sections of society, fisherfolk in particular, who have been deprived of all basic necessities of life, speakers said on Wednesday at a seminar titled ‘Pakistan Economy and the Poverty of Fishermen.’ The event was organised by the Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum (PFF) in collaboration with ActionAid Pakistan.

A large number of fisherfolk, women as well as men, belonging to various coastal localities of Karachi, Thatta and Badin attended the event. The PFF had invited all officials concerned, economists, intellectuals, and civil society representatives along with community people to share their views. Unfortunately, economists as well as government representatives ignored the voice of the victims.

The state departments add more problems to the lives of fisherfolk by awarding jetties to companies for real estate businesses, contracts of water bodies to influential people, allowing deep-sea industrial trawlers to poach fish stock from Pakistani waters and leaving land and timber mafia to chop off the mangrove forest, speakers said.

They demanded immediate measures to amend the Sindh Fisheries Ordinance 1980 from which the term ‘lease’ or ‘contract’ should be deleted. They also demand an announcement of a right-based sustainable fisheries policy by the government- a policy that must incorporate all indivisible human rights, including socioeconomic, cultural, political, civic and freedom of expression rights. Moreover, they were sceptical about the pledges that the current Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) government has not honoured even after the 10 months of being in the power. The poor fishermen voted to elect the PPP candidates in their vicinities, the speakers claimed.

Ali Mohammed Mallah, hailing from Zero Point on the Badin coast, portrayed the real picture of fishermen residing there. He told The News that now people even catch juvenile fish and crabs – something they wouldn’t have dreamed of doing 10 to 15 years ago.

There is no fish along the seashore because several sugar mills flow their waste and chemicals through drains to the sea, poisoning the sea, their source of livelihood, he said.

The speakers also criticised parliamentarians elected from fisherfolk constituencies, and said that they breached promises made to the marginalised fisherfolk community.

Saeed Baloch
General Secretary
PAKISTAN FISHERFOLK FORUM [PFF]

Fishermen threaten protest drive across Sindh

2008-12-24T08:29:00.001-08:00

Tuesday, December 23, 2008
By our correspondent

HYDERABAD: The Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum (PFF) on Monday announced to launch a protest campaign across Sindh from Dec 29 if the provincial government failed to resolve the problems and concerns of the fishermen.

Addressing a news conference at the Hyderabad press club, PFF office-bearers Ghulam Mustafa Mirani, Ayub Shah, Fiza Qureshi and others said despite the announcement of the Fisheries minister the Benazir cards have not been issued to the fishermen of the province for the last 10 months.

They said the Forest Department of Sindh has imposed a contract system on 30 lakes though the system was abolished due to the PFF struggle.They demanded that illegal occupation of lakes should be ended and arrested fishermen should be released forthwith otherwise a protest campaign would be launched from Dec 29 and protest demonstrations would be staged across the province and finally a long march up to the Sindh Assembly would be carried out.

Saeed Baloch

Photos from the conference/Las fotos de la conferencia

2008-12-17T06:20:00.000-08:00

Click the photo to see the slideshow.

Remembering Those Who Have Fallen

2008-12-04T06:43:00.000-08:00

Following the afternoon discussion on the social movements' mandate proposal, the group took a moment to reflect on and remember those who could not be present at the conference, those who had fallen in the struggle. . .

CONTRIBUTED By Kattee Simon

Professor Yash Pal Ghai talking about the Governace in Kenya

2008-12-03T22:25:00.000-08:00

December 1st 2008

A Letter of Solidarity from India

2008-12-03T04:59:00.000-08:00

Dear ESCR Net,

First, I wish to apologise profoundly for our inability to join the strategy meeting. Yet we are very much part of the network and wish to convey that we believe in the collective civil society networking that ESCR has initiated. We are keen on continuing to be active members of ESCR net as we find the democratic spaces getting narrower and more stifling.

Our network within India with members fighting the big mining lobbies and the policy changes they are influencing, particularly on indigenous people's lands is finding the situation grim but we are also trying to find ways of fighting these forces. Our inability to participate is also due to these strong forces that are keeping us constantly fighting at different places where communities and local struggles need urgent actions and support. We are fighting the big multinational corporations that are threatening to take away indigenous people's lands for bauxite mining.

We were suddenly confronted with the threat to our Executive Council indigenous women's leader Munni Hansda who along with her comrades was arrested by local police on false cases for resisting the mining company. We are caught up in this urgent issue. But we agree with the discussions taking place there at Nairobi and will be happy to be signatories to the declaration and the nominations that this strategy meeting will come up with at the end of the day.

In solidarity,
Ravi Rebbapragada, Chairperson, National Network-mines, minerals & PEOPLE
Kalluri Bhanumathi, Coordinator, International Women and Mining Network

Social Movements Solidarity Site Visit-- Miss Koch Youths

2008-12-03T04:56:00.000-08:00

Expression of happiness in Korogocho

Solidarity Visit--Regis Talks on HIV Controversy in Korogocho

2008-12-03T04:04:00.000-08:00

November 30, 2008

General Assembly Plenary --Day 2 Session Notes

2008-12-02T07:31:00.000-08:00

BUILDING A BOTTOM UP NETWORK OF MUTUAL SUPPORT AND COLLECTIVE ACTION

Contributed by Dan Mwihia, conference volunteer

Joji Adresses the General Assembly

2008-12-02T06:20:00.000-08:00

On the need for network solidarity toward the successful implementation of the UN Declaration of Human Rights

Solidarity Visit-- Amy Talks About the Women's Empowerment Project in Korogocho

2008-12-02T05:33:00.000-08:00

Solidarity Visit-- Francis on Empowering Women through Media in Korogocho

2008-12-01T05:08:00.000-08:00

Letter From The World Organisation Against Torture

2008-12-01T04:25:00.000-08:00

World Organisation Against Torture
P.O. Box 21 - 1211 Geneva 8
Switzerland
Tel.: 0041/22 809 49 39 / Fax: 0041/22 809 49 29
E-mail: omct@omct.org / Web: www.omct.org

Re: ESCR-Net International Strategy Meeting and General Assembly

Dear Colleagues of the ESCR-Net,

The International Strategy Meeting and ESCR-Net General Assembly are approaching fast and I am sure we are all thinking of the importance that these two meetings will have for our future work.

The World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT), which is a founding member of the network and attaches great importance to its work, will not be able to be with you in Nairobi. Unfortunately, the dates coincide with OMCT's Colloquium on "Torture : political, cultural and economic relativisms, the clash of convictions" and its General Assembly, both of which require all hands to be on deck.

Your discussions will deal with a number of important issues of concern to us all, and OMCT would like to call to your attention in particular to the need to fight torture, ill-treatment and other forms of violence by addressing their economic, social and cultural root causes, which is important for ending violence and promoting development.

In the two years that we have been implementing a project financed by the European Union to address the root causes of torture, OMCT has learned that dealing with those root causes can reduce violence and that this, in turn, can increase the space for economic, social and cultural development. We hope that you will be able to consider this issue, which cuts across a number of the items on your agenda.

OMCT bases its work in this area on the Interdisciplinary Study, "Attacking the Root Causes of Torture: Poverty, Inequality and Violence", published in 2006:

http://www.omct.org/pdf/ESCR/2006/omct_desc_study_2006_cd/read_me_first.html

As you are meeting in Kenya, we wish to draw your attention to two reports prepared by OMCT and its Kenyan partners (Cemiride, ICJ-Kenya and IMLU) which were recently considered by, respectively, the UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and the UN Committee Against Torture. Both these reports detail the links between violations of economic, social and cultural rights and torture and violence in Kenya:

http://www.omct.org/pdf/ESCR/2008/CESCR_kenya_OMCT_alt_report.pdf

http://www.omct.org/pdf/ESCR/2008/CAT_kenya_alt_report.pdf

Finally, in May 2008, in Maputo, Mozambique, 17 African NGOs adopted the Maputo Declaration Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (attached in both English and French). In this Declaration they recognise that violations of economic, social and cultural rights are very often the root causes of the torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment their organisations fight against, and that such violations can be effectively reduced or eliminated by action on those root causes. They call on African Governments to take action to make the continent "free from such practices". To date, close to 50 NGOs and individuals from around the world have signed the Declaration. NGOs and individuals from all regions are invited to join the Declaration.

Again, we regret very much not being able to be with you and we wish you all great success in the meeting.

Eric Sottas

Secretary General

November 2008

General Assembly Welcome- December 1, 2008

2008-12-01T00:29:00.000-08:00

Larson Interviews Senia About Conference Expectations

2008-11-30T22:39:00.000-08:00

Healthcare struggles in Mukuru

2008-11-30T21:13:00.000-08:00

solidaridad sin fronteras

2008-11-30T02:17:00.001-08:00

Click to Play

Lucas, Coalition of Immokalee Workers (CIW)

http://www.ciw-online.org/

proposals for projects

2008-11-30T02:08:00.000-08:00

PROPOSAL FOR PROJECTS

(Collective Action)

The participants came up with several proposals for projects to strenghthen the effectiveness of the social movements. It was required that the participants come up with priority projects.
1) Support for campaigns
2) Global unified campaigns
3) ESCR door opening to the UN
4) Exchange
5) Manuals
6) Trainings
7) Missions
8) Inspirational books of success stories
9) Accompanying videos and projects, which should be more expansive
10) Newsletters highlighting organizations’ success
11) Organizing conventions both locally and international e.g in land rights-(In and outside participation.)Training activists and social movements on research on activism and documentation, for magnification

A Great Start!

2008-11-30T01:12:00.000-08:00

Well here I am – in Nairobi again – this time for the meeting of the ESCR Net. The main meeting will start tomorrow on the 1 December but I am here attending the social movement meeting which started yesterday, and what a great experience it has been so far.

We are a bit over thirty people at the social movement gathering – movement leaders from all corners of the world gathered here to share, to learn, to strategise and to move forward. Over the past days I have heard stories of courage, stories of sacrifice, stories of successes and stories of successes yet to come.

It’s energizing to meet with our brothers and sisters in the frontline of the human rights struggle – be inspired by their courage and determination often fighting against all odds to bring about positive change for their communities. There is a common thread to the success stories - that when people get together and organize, change can happen!

----

It was wonderful to enter the hotel lobby last night as the new arrivals for the main strategy meeting were just checking in – friends and colleagues that we have interacted professionally and personally over the past 10 years – some whom I have not seen in years and others we work with on a regular and even daily basis.. anyway too many to mention all – but it was wonderful to see them in person and to reconnect. Seeing so many familiar faces, and reading the participant list of people who are still to arrive was a big treat. It seems like this meeting is the place to be. “….you don’t exist if you are not here…” commented a friend. Perhaps theres some truth in that if you are engaged in ESC rights work?

The main formal meeting may not have started yet but the networking is happening – the exchanges are happening at the meal tables, in the walks in the grounds and in other informal spaces, so part of the objective is already being achieved. I hope that in the coming days the formal discussions will go well and that the expectations will be met – that the meeting will lead to the strengthening of the work on esc rights around the world – strengthening the work of the network members and strengthening of the network secretariat.

Unfortunately I will need to leave after the social movement meeting is over as we have our 7th Annual Global Linking and Learning Programme which is starting on 1 December and ending on 10th December – it’s a fixed date on our Dignity calendar and I will need to make my way there.

Congratulations to the Secretariat – Julieta, Suad, Liz, Nikko, Chris, Marla, Rebecca (I hope I have not forgotten others!) and the organizing committee who have done an excellent job in thoroughly preparing this meeting - leaving nothing to chance and doing their best to ensure everything is working well and above all managing to keep a smile under a stressful situation. At least from my experience with the meeting so far - from arrival at the airport, the pick up, the check in, the registration, preparation of the meeting papers as well as the content and direction of the meeting every aspect has been perfect… I raise my hat to you all.

Aye Aye Win
Dignity International

Emem video training

2008-11-30T00:35:00.000-08:00

Suzanne sharing during strategy session

2008-11-30T00:21:00.001-08:00

Click to Play

Suzanne from Comité de Emergencia Garifuna de Honduras

Watch the Rights Alert version of "Garifunas Holding Ground," produced by Comité de Emergencia Garífunas de Honduras and WITNESS.

ANALZING THE ROOTS OF COMMON CHALLENGES

2008-11-30T00:19:00.000-08:00

TREE OF OPPRESSION

This session was led by Julie where she gave an example of a tree which had its leaves and its roots. The branches represented the problem/ injustices faced by the community and the roots present the underlying causes. The participants were divided into groups and came up with the following general problems and roots:

PROBLEMS

(i) Land
· Privatisation
· Resettlement
· Displacement
· Food Access
· Monoculture

(ii) Government
· Coorporate expolitation
· Natural resource exploitation
· Human Exploitation
· Water privatization and contamination
· Rights of fishermen

(iii) Militarization and Criminalization of Human rights Activists
(iv) Repression
(v) Cooperatization of food
(vi) Gender Dimension
(vii) Differences in religious Backgrounds
(viii) Inhuman development processes

ROOTS
(i) Lack of respect to diversity
(ii) Lack of representation structures
(iii) Ongoing colonialism
(iv) Holistic understanding
(v) Commoditization and Capitalism
(vi) Lack of political will
(vii) Lack of good leadership
(viii) Lack of Acccoutability
(ix) Lack of participation
(x) Selfishness
(xi) Disempowernment
(xii) Lack of information on human rights

Collaboration and Solidarity- Strategies

2008-11-30T00:14:00.000-08:00

DAY TWO

30TH NOVEMBER 2008

REFLECTING ON COLLABORATION AND SOLIDARITY

Other effective strategies in our different communities as shared by the participants.

They include;

Sussane from Honduras
Strategies;
Educating young people, for them to get better jobs.
Trainings for teachers on Human Rights,

Elberto from Angola
Strategies;
Having a manual on ESCR using simple and understandable language.
Carrying out alot of trainings for the community.

Humphrey from Kenya
Strategies;
Use of publications, both literature and pictures to reach out to the communities on Human Rights.
Budget Targeting- Organise the Peoples’ budget forum which is then presented to the government. This has brought people to the Solidarity Spirit.
Involving the members of the communities fully.

Joji from Philipines
Strategies;
Use of support groups
Use of documentations to strenghthen petitions
Encourage participation by all.

Ezekiel from Kenya
Strategies;
Mobilize the community.
Prepare documents and forward them to the government.
Networking with international organisations.

Ida from Trinidad
Strategies;
Capacity building especially for women.
Use of community theatre.
Facillitate for women participation of women groups.
Use of mass media.
Use of banners, posters and other publications to educate.

Aye Aye from Dignity International
Strategies;
Engage the community leaders.
Training of the public
Training of Trainers.
Networking as organisations and with NGOs
- Use of people to people strategy, people meeting and share ideas and experiences.

Reflecting on Collaboration and Solidarity

2008-11-30T00:10:00.000-08:00

DAY 2

SUNDAY 30.11.2008

REFLECTING ON COLLABORATION AND SOLIDARITY

Effective strategies in our different communities as shared by the participants.

Educating young people, for them to get better jobs.Trainings for teachers on Human Rights,
Having a manual on ESCR using simple and understandable language.
Carrying out alot of trainings for the community.
Use of publications, both literature and pictures to reach out to the communities on Human Rights.
Budget Targeting- Organise the Peoples’ budget forum which is then presented to the government. This has brought people to the Solidarity Spirit.
Involving the members of the communities fully.
Use of support groups
Use of documentations to strenghthen petitions
Encourage participation by all.
Mobilize the community.
Prepare documents and forward them to the government.
Networking with international organisations.
Capacity building especially for women.
Use of community theatre.
Facilitate for women participation of women groups.
Use of mass media.
Use of banners, posters and other publications to educate.
Engage the community leaders.
Training of the public
Training of Trainers.
Networking as organisations and with NGOs
Use of people to people strategy, people meeting and share ideas and experiences

Strategies-- Humphrey on the Power of Pictures

2008-11-29T23:50:00.000-08:00

To See the People's Budget Booklet, Click Here

Common challenges to many groups and the common causesof them

2008-11-29T21:50:00.000-08:00

The group had almost same challanges which means we all face the same problems and were as follows:

infrastucuturel
law struggle especially in Kenya, Nigeria, India and almost all countries in Africa
gender in equality
H.I.V/AIDS
Millitraisation

Regis speaks about root causes

2008-11-29T21:27:00.001-08:00

Click to Play

Regis from South Africa's Treatment Action Campaign in a conversation about what might be the causes for the common challenges that the social movement are facing. At ESCR-Net's Social Movement and Grassroot Gathering, Nairobi, kenya

Challenges-- Land Ownership

2008-11-29T06:33:00.000-08:00

Desafios-- Derechos de los Campesinos

2008-11-29T05:47:00.000-08:00

Photos from Morning

2008-11-29T05:44:00.001-08:00

Day 1 Social Movements Gathering

2008-11-29T05:31:00.000-08:00

Emem, Charles and Aye Aye singing

2008-11-29T05:20:00.001-08:00

Click to Play

Challenges-- Displacement

2008-11-29T04:51:00.000-08:00

Displacement

Challenges-- Desicionmaking

2008-11-29T04:24:00.000-08:00

Name Game

2008-11-28T23:02:00.000-08:00

Building a Strategic Network

2008-10-25T12:09:00.000-07:00

ESCR-Net, in partnership with the Kenyan ESCR Coalition, will hold a four-day International Strategy Meeting of its Working Groups, Members and active participants in Nairobi, Kenya. This landmark gathering intends to bring together approximately 200 key human rights, social justice and grassroots’ activists from around the world.

Building on the collective achievements of ESCR-Net and its Members since its Inaugural Conference in Thailand in 2003, as well as the strong trajectory and experience of local Kenyan organizations over the past decade, this meeting is envisioned as a significant occasion to create new, substantial and more systematic pathways for greater global action for social and economic justice through human rights. Participants in ESCR-Net’s Working Groups and Initiatives will benefit significantly from meeting together—in one location with interpretation and preparation—to network, strategize and advance their collective agendas as well as to explore the intersections of their work.