TCN News - TwoCircles.net

By TCN News, New Delhi: In a joint-statement signed by 62 individual civil rights activists associated with several organizations and rights groups to assert “freedom of expression, assembly and association,” and demanded from the government to respond to what they termed “malicious” IB report on NGOs funding. In its reports IB had questioned the intent and source of funding of some of the NGOs, suggesting that they are working against the economic interest of the country at the behest of foreign groups and organizations.

TCN file photo Several citizens groups, trade unions and mass movements had met on June 26, 2014 at Indian Social Institute, New Delhi to “reiterate our deep conviction about the importance of preserving and nurturing spaces for social dissent and the freedoms of association, assembly and expression as the essential hallmarks of a democratic society.” The joint-statement was very critical of the IB report and the government handling of it. It said, “We see this move as an attempt to restrict democratic space for civil society action and silence dissenting voices of individuals, organisations, social movements and trade unions.” The statement added, “It is also an attempt to stifle the voices of the defenders of human rights who represent the voiceless, marginalised sections of the society. We strongly feel that it is our right and moral duty to collectively raise and represent the voice of invisible majority of this country.” They endorsed the statements of Greenpeace, People’s Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL), MazdoorKisan Shakti Sangathan (MKSS), Navdanya, Concerned Citizens and others and expressed their “complete solidarity” with them and the fears and apprehensions they have raised to be faced by the civil society groups in future. The joint-statement was endorsed by 62 imminent civil rights activists, academicians, lawyers, etc, including Achin Vanaik, Aruna Roy, members of Mnest International, PUCL, Oxfam India, etc. Full Statement: We, as individuals, people’s organisations, citizens groups, trade unions and mass movements came together on June 26, 2014 at Indian Social Institute, New Delhi to reiterate our deep conviction about the importance of preserving and nurturing spaces for social dissent and the freedoms of association, assembly and expression as the essential hallmarks of a democratic society. Indian social life has been enriched greatly by the wide and rich variety of engagements of people’s organisations, committed to just, equitable and sustainable development, peace, social justice and gender, class, caste and communal equality; and issues ranging from the rights of marginalised communities, dalits and tribal rights, gender rights, religious minorities, sexual minorities, disability, displacement, homelessness, forest rights, right to food and health, environment and ecosystem and human rights, secularism, welfare and rights, and transnational corporations and their impact, and increasing poverty in the country. In this context, the gathering expressed its disquiet and concern over the report of Indian Intelligence Bureau (IB) on the role of development organisations, people’s movements, human rights organisations, and peace and justice activists. This report which made shrill and unsubstantiated claims was deliberately leaked to spur a medial trial, and is therefore a barely disguised official attempt to discourage and intimidate the democratic rights of citizens to express dissent with dominant state policies and to protest.The report particularly targets organisations which question the corporate-led development model and the nuclear policy, and champion environmental and labour rights. We are dismayed by the dubious manner with which the Indian Intelligence Bureau has maligned, demonised and criminalised many greatly respected social activists and groups in this country who have committed their lives for a social cause.

We see this move as an attempt to restrict democratic space for civil society action and silence dissenting voices of individuals, organisations, social movements and trade unions. It is also an attempt to stifle the voices of the defenders of human rights who represent the voiceless, marginalised sections of the society. We strongly feel that it is our right and moral duty to collectively raise and represent the voice of invisible majority of this country. We endorse the statements of Greenpeace, People’s Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL), MazdoorKisan Shakti Sangathan (MKSS), Navdanya, Concerned Citizens and others and express our complete solidarity with them and the fears and apprehensions they have raised to be faced by the civil society groups in future.

The Supreme Court of India’s judgments have also upheld from time to time the constitutionality of the rights of dissent and free expression. These also find affirmation in many recent international frameworks of the United Nations and its Special Rapporteurs. In the last couple of years engagement of mainstream media and social media with the pressing social and economic issues has taken place on enormous scale despite the increasing control of corporate houses on media. Therefore we believe that the attacks of this nature especially the IB’s current report is essentially a handiwork of both transnationals and big Indian business interests driven by profit motive. We are also concerned with the accountability of institutions like the Intelligence Bureau which till today functions within an indeterminate legal framework. This assumes all the more importance in the prevailing national scenario where the national security management policy has been purposefully left ambiguous and therefore remains undefined. We also demand that report of the L.P. Singh Committee instituted after the emergency in 1977 on the misuse of intelligence agencies should be made public. We, as part of civil society groups simultaneously uphold the value of transparency within this sector whether we are locally funded or foreign funded organisations. We demand that the present government should either own or at least respond to the parentage of this IB Report which to our knowledge was initiated by the past UPA government. We are also striving for an open-ended platform, broad alliance and solidarity across all sections of the society and especially those engaged in the fight for equality, equity, secularism, pluralism, right to association, right to assembly and freedom of expression. Therefore, we now stand united at this critical stage in all solidarity at the local and national levels with all those organisations mentioned in the IB Report with a sense of hope and not despair. We have decided to initiate a Secretariat to be based temporarily in Indian Social Institute (ISI), New Delhi to assist Human Rights Defenders with about 20 advisors representing various thematic engagements. Any individual or organisation in any part of the country who feel aggrieved by any action which infringes their right to assembly and association, freedom of expression are invited to approach the Secretariat for further course of action, including legal action for which we shall also form a legal defence fund. We are giving a collective nationwide call for diverse course of action at the district and state levels on August 9, 2014 to mark the celebration of our assertion and celebration of public action reclaiming the republic with its core ideas of freedom, pluralism, just, sustainable and equitable development, and peace, across the country. Endorsed by:

1	*Aanita Soni*
2	*Aayomi Sharma*	ANHAD
3	*Abha Bhaiya*	Jagori Rural charitable Trust
4	*Achin Vanaik*	CNDP
5	*Ajaya Kumar Singh*	Odisha Forum for Social Action
6	*Ajaykumar VB*	RIGHTS
7	*Ajita Hoshi N.*	Indian Social Institute
8	*Aloka Kujur*	Social Awareness for democratic art and research (S.A.F.D.A.R)
9	*Amitabh Behar*	NFI
10	*Anand Kumar*	PHA Foundation/ Christian Aid
11	*Anastasia Sneha Gill*	National Council Dalit Christian (NCDC)
12	*Anil Chaudhary*	Indian Social Action Forum (INSAF)
13	*Anil Kumar*	National Forum for Housing Rights
14	*Anil Kumar*	Indian Social Institute
15	*Annie Raja*	National Federation of Indian Women
16	*Anuja Naik*	International Justice Mission
17	*Anuvinda Varkey*	ED, Christian Coalition for Health
18	*Anton Gomes*	National Union of Fisherman Tamil Nadu
19	*Archana Dwivedi*	NIRANTAR
20	*Aruna Roy*	MPKO
21	*Ashish Gupta*	OFAI/PGSOC/IFOAM Asia
22	*Ashok Choudhary*	AIUFWP
23	*Ashraf*	CYC
24	*Aubrey Corda*	Self Employed Indian Citizen
25	*Ayantika Das*	Indian Social Action Forum (INSAF)
26	*B. Roy*	CWDS
27	*Battini Rao*	People's Alliance for Democracy and Secularism (P.A.D.S)
28	*Beenu Rawat*	Sama Resource Group for Women & Health
29	*Benny M.V.*	IGSSS
30	*Bhanskar Prabhu*	Mahiti Adhikar Munch, Mumbai
31	*Bhanwar Singh Chadana*	Astha Sansthan
32	*Bhavar Meghvanshi*	MKSS
33	*Bhavna Sharma*	ANHAD
34	*Bipin bihari barik*	Individual, Freelancing Social Worker
35	*Bipin Rai*	Action India
36	*Bombay Catholic Sabha*	Bombay Catholic Sabha
37	*Britto. M.A.*	Vaan Muhil
38	*Buta Singh Bairagi*	Rehnuma Centre - Punjab (A Facilitation and Entitlement Centre for Vulnerable Groups)
39	*Carol Geeta*	SASVIKA
40	*Cedric Prakash*	PRASHANT (A Centre for Human Rights, Justice and Peace)
41	*Chandni Tandon*	Population foudation of India, programme officer
42	*Chandranath Dani*	Human Rights Defenders Alert India (HRDA)
43	*Charles Irudayam*	JPD Office, CBCI
44	*Chirsto Mathews*	Individual
45	*Corlis Gonsalves*	Don Bosco Tech Institute
46	*D K Manavalan*	AFPRO
47	*D.K. Giri*	Voters Party
48	*David Amalanadane*	Individual
49	*David D'Souza*	PUCL, Karnataka
50	*Deepak Xavier*	OXFAM, India

51	*Dhirendra Panda*	Civil Society Forum on Human on Human Rights (CSFHR)
52	*Dhiviyr*	Sangat
53	*Divya Raghunandan*	Greenpeace, India
54	*Dr. K.S. Subramanian*	Individual
55	*Dr. Mira Shiva*	INES/Diverse Women for Diversity
56	*Dr. Vandana Shiva*	Navdanya
57	*Durga Nandini*	Amnesty International India
58	*Enakshi Ganguli*	HAQ: Centre for Child Rights
59	*Erwin Lazrado*	Premal Jyoti
60	*Gnana Robinson*	PEACE Trust
61	*Gautam Mody*	NTVI
62	*Gautam Thaker*	PUCL (Guj)
63	*Gilbert Rodrigo*	Tamilnadu Pondy Fisher People Federation
64	*Geetha*	JAGORI
65	*Gopal*	Individual
66	*Gopi Krishnan*	Greenpeace- Bangalore
67	*HarshMander*	Aman Biradari
68	*Helen Saldanha*	Individual
69	*Henri Tiphagne*	Human Rights Defenders Alert-india
70	*Hiren Gandhi*	DARSHAN
71	*Indu Prakash Singh*	NFHR / SAM:BKS
72	*Imran Khan*	ANHAD
73	*Jai Sen*	CACIM - India Institute for Critical Action : Centre in Movement
74	*John Dayal*	AICC-AICU
75	*John Tharakan*	Oota-Wellsprings
76	*Joseph Valiaparambil*	SWAD
77	*Joseph Xavier*	Indian Social Institute
78	*Joshy Jose*	Break Through
79	*Joy Karayampuram*	Indian Social Institute
80	*Julia George*	Streevani
81	*K P John*	NationalCouncil of YMCA OF India
82	*Kalpana David*	YWCA
83	*Kamal*	RTI Manch
84	*Kamalkant*	Indian Social Institute
85	*Kathir*	EVIDENCE
86	*Kavita Srivastava*	PUCL
87	*Kiriti Roy*	MASUM
88	*Neeta Pandya*	JAAG/AZAD
89	*Lenin Raghuvanshi*	PVCHR
89	*Liris Thomas*	Alliance Defending Freedom
90	*M.S. Sanparsi*	Individual
91	*Madhuresh*	NAPM
92	*Mahesh Pandya*	Paryavaran Mitra
93	*Malika Virdi*	MAATI, Munsiari, Uttarakhand
94	*Mallika Sinha*	AHNAD
95	*Madhu*	JAGORI
96	*Manan*	ANHAD
97	*Manas Jena*	Development Initiative
98	*Maneesh*	L-5AS, Shaikhsarai II
99	*Manisha Sethi*	Jamia Millia Islamia
100	*Mansi Sharma*	Individual

101	*Manu Alphonse*	Social Watch-TN
102	*Mehul Dabhi*	NCDHR
103	*Mimroth P.L.*	Centre for Dalit Rights
104	*Mona Das*	VasantKunj, New Delhi
105	*Nalini Abraham*	Individual, Medical Doctor
106	*Nandini Rao*	No More/WSS
107	*Narayanan*	CHANGE India
108	*Narendra Mohanty*	Campaign Against Fabricated Cases (CAFC)
109	*Naveen Fernandes*	Fund Manager - PMS
110	*Navin*	AA
111	*Nayantara Sheoran*	Individual
112	*Neelam Singh*	Foundation for Rural Recovery and Development (FORRAD)
113	*Neha Saigal*	Green Peace
114	*Nikhil Dey*	MKSS
115	*Nirmala Karunan*	Greenpeace- Bangalore
116	*Ovais Sultak Khan*	PADS
117	*P K M Swamy*	CEO/EMF India
118	*P.B.D'Sa*	PUCL, Karnataka
119	*Padmini Kumar*	Joint Women’s Programme
120	*Parul*	Mahilayen Pragati ki Ore
121	*Parvinder Singh*	Oxfam India
122	*Pascal Tirkey*	Indian Social Institute
123	*Paul D’souza*	Indian Social Institute
124	*Paunta S. Kapur*	ASWS
125	*Peter Celestine*	Bishop of Jammu-Srinagar
126	*Poonam Muthaiya*	Individual
127	*Praavita*	MKSS
128	*Pradipta Nayak*	Odisha Human Rights Protection Foundation (OHRPF)
129	*Praful Bidwai*	CNDP
130	*Prafulla samantara*	Lok Shakti Abhiyan
131	*Pramod Singh*	Christian Legal Association
132	*Pranab*	Indigenous Peoples Forum
133	*Prasad Chacko*	Human Development and Research Centre
134	*Prasanna Mansingh*	CSFHR
135	*Prashant Bhushan*	Lawyer
136	*Praveen Jose*	Agency for Integrated Development Initiative
137	*Preeti Majumdar*	IGSSS
138	*Princy Joseph*	Bandhna Campaign
138	*Rachna Atri*	Individual
140	*Radhika Ganesh*	School for Democracy/MKSS
141	*Rafi Malek*	Individual
142	*Rafiul Rahman*	Individual
143	*Raghav Menon*	Amnesty International
144	*Raghuvir Pradhan*	Ekta Parishad
145	*Ramesh Nathan V.A.*	National Dalit Movement For Justice (NDMJ)-NCDHR
146	*Ramesh Sharma*	INSAF
147	*Rameshwar Palweel*	Indian Social Institute
148	*Ran Autar Singh*	Individual
149	*Ratna*	VANI
150	*Ratnesh*	Indian Social Institute

151	*Renuka*	Indian Social Institute
152	*Rita Manchanda*	SAFHR
153	*Ruben Minj*	Indian Social Institute
154	*Rukmini Sekhar*	Solidarity Campaigner
155	*S.K. Dutta*	NIT – Arunachal PradeshRegistrar & Prof.
156	*Sandeep*	HRLN
157	*Sandeep Prakash Jedhe*	UTTHAN TRUST
158	*Sanjai Sharma*	HRLN
159	*Sanjeev*	Delhi Forum
160	*Sannybhai*	JESA
161	*Santosh Sharma*	Naxi Uthan Samiti
162	*Saroop Dhruv*	DARSHAN
163	*Satyababu*	P M C
164	*Saurabh Sharma*	Josh
165	*Sebastian Kunnath*	CHAI
166	*Shabnam Hashmi*	ANHAD
167	*Shanti Ranjan Behera*	Martin Luther King Centre for Democracy & Human Rights
168	*Sheba Tejani*	CSDS
169	*Shib Cheruvelil*	AIDI-India
170	*shipra Nigam*	No More Campaign
171	*Shivshankar Ray*	ANHAD
172	*Siprian Kiro*	Indian Social Institute
173	*Smarika Sigh*	Schumacher's
174	*Sonali Khan*	Break Through
175	*Sr. Tresa Paul*	Indian Social Institute
176	*Stan Swamy*	Jharkhand Bachao Andolan
177	*Subrat Das*	CBGA
178	*Suchi Pande*	MKSS
179	*Suneeta Dhar*	Jagori
180	*Susan Abraham*	Foundation for Rural Recovery and Development (FORRAD)
181	*Sudha Varghese*	Nari Gunjan
182	*Syed Mahar Ul Hasan*	United Reformers Organization Bhopal.(URO)
183	*Tanushree Gangopadhyay*	Individual, Media Person
184	*Tehmina Arora*	ADF, India
185	*Thomas Job*	JRS
186	*Thomas Pallithanam*	People's Action For Rural Awakening
187	*Trideep Pais*	Lawyer
188	*Tushar Chakraborty,*	Forum Against Monopolistic Aggression (FAMA)
189	*Upneet Kaur Mangat*	Centre for Human Rights & Duties, Panjab University, Chandigarh
190	*Urmimala Dutta*	Civil Engineer
191	*Usha Nischal*	Mahilayen Pragati ki Ore
192	*V Suresh*	PUCL
193	*Vanita Mukherjee*	Pusmal
194	*Varghese Theckanath*	Montfort Social Institute
195	*Vasantha*	Tamilnadu Women's Movement
196	*Vasanthi Devi*	Association for India's Development (AID-India)
197	*Victor Joseph Raj*	HOPE
198	*Vijayesh Lal*	Evangelical Fellowship of India
199	*Vina Lobo*	SPWD
200	*Vincent Manoharan*	Chairperson – NFDLRM
201	*Virginia Saldanha*	Indian Christian Women's Movement
202	*Zulaikha jabin*	ANHAD