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Brief background of the workshop on "Human Rights and Fundamental Duties with Particular Emphasis on Marginalised and Tribal Communities– The Role OF NGOs and National Human Rights Commission in Promoting a Human Rights Culture For a Just And Equitable Society" to be held from 1-3 October, 1999, At Hotel Madhuban, Rajpur Road, Dehra Dun.
The constitution of "civil society", where people are organized to assert their rights and fulfill their duties is one of the hallmarks of good governance and the importance of such a movement in the Indian context as also that of its neighbouring countries cannot be overemphasized.
Although the National Human Rights Commission has this year alone dealt with a record number of cases pertaining to human rights violations, innumerable cases of such violations in the deep interior areas where exploitation is rife, go unreported and the victims continue to groan under their misery. There appears to be no hope or respite for these unfortunate victims, the majority of whom belong to the poor, weak and marginalised communities and groups, which include tribals, women and dalits.
The fundamental duties enshrined in the Constitution of India, contained in Part IV A, are in consonance with Article 29 (1) of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights which says, "everyone has duties to the community in which alone the free and full development of his personality is possible". We must reaffirm faith in recognition of the inherent dignity and inalienable rights of all citizens as the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world, which implies obligations and responsibilities. Human rights, thus, go hand in hand with responsibilities. It is very necessary that all citizens should be made aware of the potential of Article 51 A relating to fundamental duties as a means to ensure the protection of human rights.
The workshop will focus on imparting information and educating participants on the need for a Human Rights Culture; on various provisions under the law available for protection and enforcement of Human Rights in cases of violation and selection of remedies to redress Human Right violations with special emphasis on the role of NGO's in protecting Human Rights.
One of the most important objectives of the workshop would be not only to equip the participants with the information and skills for educating vulnerable sections of society about their Human Rights but more particularly to develop a strategy to induce officials/authorities, wielding power and exercising control over these persons, to have respect for Human Rights.
A special focus of the workshop will be on the rights of indigenous people and attempts by state authorities to deprive them of their traditional rights of residing in forests as well as their right to make use of non-timber-forest produce to eke out their livelihood and improve their economy. RLEK has been working in the area of preserving the nativity of tribal Van Gujjars and would like to build bridges with other NGO's working for tribal welfare in different parts of the country as well as the South Asian region.
Tribal communities and adivasis (original inhabitants) are already set on a collision course with state authorities over the assertion of their traditional rights. The problem is particularly severe in the areas which governments are demarcating as protected areas under the prevalent wilderness concept of conservation. The environment-development dilemma is turning out to be an explosive proposition where the might of the state is being used against the defenseless indigenous people.
The extent of the problem can be gauged from a report of the London-based Minority Rights Group International, which states that there are over 67.76 million adivasis living in India. It is unfortunate that the Indian government despite having ratified the International Labour Organization Convention No: 107 on Indigenous and Tribal Peoples has ignored Adivasis' demands to be recognized as indigenous and has even taken steps which threaten their very survival as communities. A similar situation exists in almost all of the South Asian countries. Exchange and sharing of information between representatives of the countries of the region would develop a better understanding of a human rights culture amongst them.
The workshop would also endeavor to forge steps towards new partnerships in this region that would help in realizing the possibility of establishing a permanent forum for Indigenous/Tribal People in the United Nations.
Special sessions will be devoted to: -
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