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"Torture never be an instrument to fight terror"
"No
one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment of
punishment"
- Universal Declaration of Human Rights,
Article 5.
 It is wonderful that we have the opportunity to celebrate the
"World Human
Rights Day - 2005" which was established in 1948, Fifty-seven years ago by
United Nations.
Manitham's vision is, every individual in a society enjoys all the rights as per
in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The Universal Declaration of Human
Rights prohibited all forms of torture, cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or
punishment.
The 21st century has seen the abuse of the word (Terrorism) by many governments,
and under the guise of preventing it, the State (Police and armed forces) have
systematically carried out numerous acts of state terrorism such as arbitrary
arrest, cordon and search of homes at midnight, mishandling females of all ages,
solitary detentions and several forms of unspeakable physical and mental
torture. Free access to legal services is also denied in most cases. All most
victims are all ages, from 10 to 90. The pain and suffering is not only on the
victims but also on the whole family for days, months and in some cases, years.
The financial ramifications and other consequences are also of monumental
proportions for families who are economically disadvantaged, and causes ruin.
Most of the victims are innocent of any wrongdoing, and even if victims have
violated any laws, there needs to be due process, than terror tactics, which is
in practice. It is also very difficult to prove against police officers since
they are in stone wall evidence and cover-up their acts.
In India, torture of ordinary criminal suspects and political prisoners by
police has long been widespread. Torture and ill-treatment are used to extract
confessions, to extort money and to punish detainees. Torture in India includes
electric shocks, suspension from ceilings, severe beating with lathis (long
wooden sticks) and kicking. Most torture occurs during periods of illegal
detention following arrests that are unrecorded. In September, 1996 the Supreme
Court of India made a landmark judgment condemning custodial violence and make
several recommendations based on the highlights written on 26 August 1986 by the
Executive chairman of the Legal Aid Service, D.K. Basu, which was treated as
Public Interest litigation.
In Sri Lanka, where there is a 22-year civil war raging. Most of the common laws
have been suspended for most of this period, and is governed under emergency and
prevention of terrorism laws, where gross violations of human rights,
fundamental rights, and different forms of torture have been regularly
occurring. The main perpetrators are the States (Police, Armed forces, Para
military and quisling forces). In some instances civilian gangs and mobs with
the assistance and protection of the States and armed forces have carried out
beatings, assault, severe torture, and cold-blooded killings, including burning
and burying people alive. They are able to continue taking advantage of corrupt
officials and prevailing poverty.
Human rights violations are the torture of the children who are abused sexually,
and used for prostitution. It has to be noted; in Southern Sri Lanka mainly
foreigners who are pedophiles systematically abuse both underage boys and girls.
The abuse of underage children as indentured labor, in high labor-intensive
industries, under unhealthy and
terrible conditions should be considered a crime against humanity. Those
children are also unpaid or totally under paid and treated badly. In many cases
they are abused in different forms. The spread of HIV-AIDS virus, usage of drugs
also takes place under these conditions.
States must honor this prohibition and vigorously combat the impunity of
perpetrators of torture. Those who conceive of or authorize any form of torture
and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment, and those who commit such acts,
should not go unpunished. The role of the jurist and the attorney general
departments also should be impartial, unprejudiced and unbiased.
Nations make lofty promises and statements in international forums, but at home
the abuses continue without any signs of even basic reduction of torture.
Politicians cover up the armed forces infringements and violations in a brazen
manner. The time has come for heads of states to practice what they preach, mean
what the say, as well as say what they mean.
The only remedy for prevention of such violations and different methods of
torture is punishment not only to the perpetrator, but the supervising officers,
the whole departments and divisions. Punitive sanctions also should be placed on
the countries, so that the whole country would be concerned of respecting the
human rights of the fellow citizens as well as foreigners.
Being a NGO from a third world nation, we have mandated ourselves to focus on
the lesser form of torture which takes on a regular basis, both with authorities
and society, where not only physical torture, but mental torture is a regular
occurrence. Most of the society, due to their poor literacy, low social
positions or being from a lower caste, living in the midst of poverty and being
economically deprived, are unable to recognize the torture in different forms by
the perpetrated either by the authorities, armed forces, or authoritarian
civilians. They also are unaware that in the 21st century such violations are a
crime, which are punishable by law.
Manitham works with the socially depressed folks, as well as people who have
several challenges and economically deprived. We very closely monitor all such
violations and assist to expose them fearlessly. If necessary we file legal
actions or petitions and complaints on behalf of the victims. We are also
actively involved in the process of educating the society of their rights, and
how violations should be immediately reported, and preventing actions should be
taken.
Manitham associates closely with several Human Rights Organizations worldwide
and fighting against torture from our soil. We extend our best wishes to this
occasion to take every effort to eradicate all form of torture, from our
society, in prisons and detention centers. Let us join our hand for this cause.
10-12-2005
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