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 Manitham
is aiming to bring radical
changes in the society to enable individuals and communities to become
self-reliant so that people may live in consonance with the true dictates of
humanity in its widest scope and dimension.
Vision :
Every individual in a society enjoys all the rights as per in the Universal
Declaration of Human Rights and international instruments regarding with Human
Rights & Environment.
Mission :
Manitham envisages undertake research and action to prevent and end grave abuses
of the rights to physical and mental integrity, freedom of conscience and
expression, and freedom from discrimination, within the context of its work to
promote all rights.
Advocacy & Lobbying :
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LEGAL AID & ASSISTANCE -
2004 |
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Quantum of Services |
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No. of Visitors |
115 |
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Considered Legal Opinion / advise |
110 |
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Urgent Intervention |
26 |
Our Executive Director has had various consultations and is representing and
advocating and lobbying on Human Rights and Environmental issues in various
forums. He has travelled far and wide to various States in India, such as
Kashmir, Delhi, Kerala, and Karnataka and in his home State, Tamil Nadu.
Campaign & Public Action :
On 21-02-2004 a symposium on
'Police and Human Rights' was held at the Sangamam
A/C hall, PSGCAS, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu. Former Director General of Police [DPG]
of Kerala, President of TMMK and leading Human Right Defenders took part.
On 26-03-2004, an
Urgent Appeal through Signature Campaign urging Indian
Government to sign on UN's Moratorium on Death Penalty was made. Thiru
Vaiko,
Member of Parliament, President of MDMK and a prominent Political leader started
this signature campaign. Printed Urgent Appeal Pamphlets in English and in Tamil
was distributed throughout India. Online signature also was published in
our web site. In total more than 2 lakh people affixed their signature and it
was presented to the Honourable President of India on 12-05-2004.
On 15-07-2004, even after obtaining prior permission from the police to conduct
'Street Drama against Torture' in a public place at Coimbatore permission denied
by the same police department. However, on the same day, the drama was organized
in a Higher Secondary School at Perur in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu.
On 10-08-2004, we urged to
'Abolish Corporal Punishment in Schools' through our
Urgent Appeal and in printed Newsletter. Immediately the Directorate of School
Education, Chennai, issued an order to all schools throughout Tamil Nadu State
to Abolish Corporal Punishments in Schools.
On 19-08-2004, we organised a public hearing on 'Sethusamudram Ship Canal
Project' at Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu. We are proud to mention here that we are the
first organisation to urge the Indian Government to conduct Independent
International Investigation on 'Sethusamudram Ship Canal Project' and also first
to organize meetings among the fisher folks in the East Coast Sea Shore of Tamil
Nadu. Visual, Web and Print media covered this widely, not only in India, but
also in Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Thailand, UK, Canada, USA etc.
On 08-10-2004,
5 Fisher folk of Rameswaram were detained by Sri Lankan Army
personnel. We issued an Urgent Appeal to release them on the basis of the
agreement by the both governments.
On 12-10-2004,
16 Human Rights Defenders were detained illegally by the Cuddalore Police. We urged through an Urgent Appeal to the National Human Rights
Commission for an enquiry.
On 26-12-2004, Asia was affected by
Tsunami and more than 2,80,000 lives were
lost in 12 countries. Immediately after this incident, we enrolled volunteers
and sent them to the Tsunami hit areas of Coastal Tamil Nadu and in Triconmalee
in Sri Lanka.
Education and Training :
To motivate and inculcate the necessity of positive attitudes towards
development, our members have participated in various workshops, seminars held
in different States of India for a wider exposure in Human Rights and
Environment.
Research and Documentation :
The
Jammu & Kashmir Coalition of Civil Societies [JKCCS], a well know active NGO
in Kashmir has conducted Election Monitoring [Since the Indian Election
Commission has declared that observers are free to independently observe], on
occasion of April 2004, Indian Parliament Election. Kashmir has been a conflict
area for a quite long time and UN has also declared this region as a 'Disputed
Region' since 1953. So, World as well Indian people views are focused eagerly on
this particular State's election. We represented as one of the independent
observers [one of the observer
Ms. Aasiya Jeelani, 29, a Human Right activist
and freelance journalist died in an IED while observing], for the first 2 phase
held at Baramulla constituency and Sri Nagar constituency.
From 17th to 21st of July, 2004, our Executive Director has traveled widely in
the East coast belt of Tamil Nadu to observe and for an independent in-depth
study on government of India's 'Sethusamudram Ship Canal Project'. Our team went
through all aspects such as NEERI reports etc. on the project. After all our
study, we have released
an interim report on Sethusamudram Ship Canal Project on
30-07-2004. This report has been submitted to proper government authorities for
further consideration. Visual, Web and Print media covered widely, not only in
India, but also internationally in Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Thailand, UK, Canada,
USA etc. Several environmentalists from all over the globe are also contacted
for further discussion on this issue.
Along with PSG College of Arts and Science, Coimbatore, Manitham has started
Independent in-depth study on 'How the victims [family members trauma] are
affected physically, socially, politically, economically, culturally and
psychologically [Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder - PTSD] during the past 6 1/2
years [i.e. from 1998 to 2004], in the absence of their family member/s -
deceased / accused / disappeared / major injured disabled etc. because of
'Coimbatore
Serial Bomb Blast'. For these study, more than 250 families spread across three
southern states [Tamil Nadu, Kerala & Karnataka] have to be visited. More than
40 volunteers are engaging in this study.
Members :
Our membership base from various walks of life during the year is steeply
increasing. Large number of members is from our home State, Tamil Nadu. New
members are also from various Indian States and from International members have
also been enrolled. For identification, we are issuing Identification Card for
our members. Also we organised a members meeting on 17-03-2004 at Malayalam
samaj, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu for our future plan.
Volunteers :
On 26-12-2004,
Tsunami took away more than 2,80,000 lives from 12 countries
across Asia. We are playing a vital role in the relief work. Lot of volunteers
has enrolled with us, and we have placed the volunteers in the Tsunami hit
locations in the Tamil Nadu coastal districts and also in Sri
Lanka. Volunteers from India and from abroad enrolled for our programme.
Library :
Manitham is operating a small library for the benefit of our members. We receive
lot of books as gifts. Publishers of journals, magazines etc. also send their
complimentary issues regularly. UN Newsletter, NHRC Newsletter, Ekalm Lokam,
Mainstreaming ICTS etc are some of the important magazines we are received.
Web-Site
:
The website covers the entire activities of our Manitham. Daily updating is the
main unique feature of our site. In nutshell, Manitham's website is a window to
the world Community.
E-Newsletters :
Time to time E-Newsletters containing News relating to Human Rights &
Environment, have been mailed to more than 134 reputed subscribers across the
globe. In 2004 alone, 490 E-Newsletters have been mailed to our subscribers.
Journals & Publications :
Amnesty News Letter,
a journal is published from time to time as a private circulation from Manitham.
Audio, Video cassette and Compact Disc of the Symposiums, conducted by us
earlier are also publications.
Regions :
Some of our International members have shown their interest to start 'Manitham'
in their countries. At present it is being formed in Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
After seeing their performance, the Regions will be duly recognised by our
Secretariat.
Felicitation :
On 28-01-2004,
Ms.Kathirin Marphy of Cuba, a Natural Farming Expert visited Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu. On this occasion we organised a felicitation in Coimbatore.
World Human Rights Day, 2004 :
Angikar, an NGO and a partner of Manitham, jointly organised an assembly of more
than 500 participants on occasion of the World Human Rights Day, 2004 on
10-12-2004 at National Martyr's Memorial Mausoleum, Dhaka, Bangladesh. Fransisco
Marrioetta from UNHRC spoke on the occasion.
Avanishilingam Deemed University [ADU], Coimbatore and Manitham jointly organised a
meeting on the occasion of World Human Rights Day, 2004 on 13-12-2004 at
Thiruchitarambalam Hall in the University Campus. Owing the functions,
presidential address delivered by ADU vice-chancellor Mrs.Saroja Prabhakaran.
More than 2000 students were participated in the function.
National & International Partnerships:
Tamil Nadu :
- Peoples Watch-Tamil Nadu, Madurai, Tamil Nadu
- Tamil Nadu Environmental Council, Dindigal, Tamil Nadu
- Coastal Action Network, Nagapattinam, Tamil Nadu
- East Coast Fishermen Protection Movement, Tuticorin, Tamil Nadu
- Virutcham Magalir Munnetra Kalzangiam (VMMK), Virudhunagar, Tamil Nadu
- Osai, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu
India :
- Amnesty International India, New Delhi
- Confederation of Human Rights, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala
- Vigil India Movement, Bangalore, Karnataka
- Forum for Human Rights, Gundur, Andra Pradesh
- Indian Liberal Group, Mumbai, Maharastra
- Jammu & Kashmir Civil Coalition of Societies, Kashmir, India
International :
- Tamil Centre for Human Rights, Paris, France
- Environmental Foundation Ltd, Colombo, Sri Lanka
- Green Movement of Sri Lanka (GMSL), Nugegoda, Sri Lanka
- Angikar Bangladesh, Dhaka, Bangladesh
- Humanitarian rehabilitation Services NE (Lanka), Colombo, Sri Lanka
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