Dear friends,
The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) wishes to inform you about the continued inaction and disregard by the authorities of Surat, Gujarat, India in investigating and prosecuting the perpetrators of abuses and harassment against the Adivasi people a tribal minority. The police have not yet investigated complaints filed before them, while the case filed by the Adivasis in court against the upper castes abuses, threats and encroachment of common land shows no progress. Please visit our previous appeal for more details: UA-52-2005.
The AHRC has learned that the authorities’ inaction has been exploited by the upper castes, who have coerced the Panchayat chairman (village chief), an Adivasi himself, into taking their sides. This poses serious threats to the rights of the Adivasis; they have been forced into a compromise detrimental to their interest. It is also of concern that such power struggles will sow disunity amongst the Adivasis community.
Despite this, nobody from the police, members of the legislative assembly, local government or relevant authorities has yet come forward to initiate immediate action to resolve the conflict.
We therefore request your immediate intervention by sending letters to the relevant authorities in Surat, Gujarat, demanding their immediate action.
The Adivasis must be afforded with fair treatment of law enforcement, judicial process and protection as stipulated in the Scheduled Caste-Scheduled Tribes Prevention of Atrocities Act (1989), which gives special protection to marginalized communities.
To support this case, please click here: SEND APPEAL LETTER
SAMPLE LETTER
Dear ________,
INDIA: No action yet taken over upper caste assault and denial of rights to adivasi people
I am deeply concerned regarding the continued inaction by police and local authorities in Surat, Gujarat, India regarding abuses, threats and the general denial of rights by upper castes to the Adivasi community. Despite bringing the attention of the degrading situation of the Adivasis to the Police, Magistrate Court and members of the Legislative Assembly, no action has been taken to address the situation.
Furthermore, the upper castes are taking advantage of government inaction to sow disunity among the Adivasis. They have taken an Adivasi village chief into their confidence, which poses serious threats to the Adivasi community. By not taking action, the local authorities have condoned the abuses, harassment and denial of rights to the Adivasis by the upper castes.
In this regard, I urge your immediate intervention. An independent investigation must be conducted in relation to the assaults, abuses and threats by upper castes. The police must be held responsible for their refusal to take-up the complaints of the Adivasis. The local authorities must initiate immediate steps to intervene into resolving the issues of encroachment to avert further violations while the issue is still pending in court. They must initiate action through dialogue and acceptable solutions to the dispute with the consent of both parties.
Further, I urge that any solutions in resolving the plight of the Adivasi should be in accordance with the Scheduled Caste-Scheduled Tribes Prevention of Atrocities Act (1989), which gives special protection to marginalized communities.
I look forward to your immediate action in this case.
Yours truly,
_______________
PLEASE SEND LETTERS TO:
1. Shri Amit Anilchandra Shah
Home Minister
Home, Block No.2, 3
rd Floor, New Sachivalay
Gandhinagar - 382 010,
Gujarat, India
Tel: + 91 79 23225920, 23243403, 23250234
Fax: + 91 79 23221874, 23232453
Email:
mos-home@gujarat.gov.in 2. Shri Ramanlal Ishwarlal Vora
Social Welfare Minister
Block No. 1, 7th Floor, New Sachivalaya,
Gandhinagar-382010,
Gujarat
India
Tel: +91 79 23243506, 23238152,
Fax; +91 79 23221267, 23232470
Email:
min-sj@gujarat.gov.in 3. Shri Mangubhai Chhaganbhai Patel
Tribal Welfare
Block No. 1, 7th Floor, New Sachivalaya
Gandhinagar - 382 010.
Gujarat
India
Tel: + 91 79 23221186, 23238075
Email:
min-fne@gujarat.gov.in PLEASE SEND COPIES OF YOUR LETTERS TO:
1. Chief Minister of Gujurat
Chief Minister's Office
Block No 1, 5th Floor
New Sachivalaya
Gandhinagar 382 010
Gujurat
INDIA
Tel: +91-79-2 3232611 to 18
Fax:+91-79-2 3222101
Email:
cm@gujurat.india.com2. Shri Bhupendrasinhji Chudasama
Panchayat Minister
Block No:1/7, New Sachivalaya Complex
Gandhinagar- 382 010
Gujarat
India
Tel : 23238076,23243389,23250119
Fax: (079)3250120 email :
Email:
min-agri@gujarat.gov.in
3. Shri Ramjiray (IFS)
Secretary
Tribal Development Department
Block No. 1, 17th Floor
New Sachivalaya,
Gandhinagar 382010
Gujurat
India
Tel: +91 79 23253614
Fax: + 91 79 23252263
Email:
sectdd@gujarat.gov.in 4. The Chairperson
National Human Rights Commission of India
Faridkot House, Copernicus Marg
New Delhi 110001
India
Tel: +91-11 23382742
Fax: +91-11 23384863
Email:
covdnhrc@nic.in,
ionhrc@nic.in5. Mr. Doudou Diene
Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism and racial discrimination
C/o OHCHR-UNOG
1211 Geneva 10
Switzerland
Tel: +41 22 917 9271
Fax: +41 22 917 9050
Thank you.
Urgent Appeals Program
Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC)
