RFYN Interfaith Peace Rally
Chennai seafront
23rd January 2013
Co-ordinators: Krishnan Ramachandran, Anbumani Arumugam, Nitya Saheba
The rally was held in consonance with the UN declared Interfaith Harmony Week (February every year) to be observed by organisations across the world.
We are happy that the rally attracted 800-odd students from 3 districts in and around Chennai city. There was representation from the Ramakrishna Math, Brahma Kumari’s, Jain monks, Buddhist monks from Burma based in Chennai, from the Archbishop of Chennai, from Islam.
All the religious and inter-faith leaders present agreed to meet again in the near future for a longer program to create awareness among the younger generation for a better environment.
Report (PDF 7 pages, illustrated): RFYN Interfaith Peace Rally Report (23 January 2013)
Photos (Picasa link)
HRE 2 at Kurumthar
Human Rights Education seminar
@Samagra Mathru-Sishu Samrakshana Kendram (Integral Mother-Child Care Center), Kurumthar, Pathanamthitta, Kerala.
19-20 January, 2013
Facilitator: Prof. T.K. Jyothiraj
from the Report (PDF 5 pages, illustrated)
The workshop was aimed to follow up on the beneficiaries of the previous HRE training held 9-10 May 2009 at the Dalit/Adivasi (indigenous) Settlement Colony, Kurumthar, strengthening people – especially women – to face and handle issues day to day.
HRE at Paramakudi
Human Rights Education training
@Govt. Arts College, Paramakudi, TamilNadu
9-10 January, 2013
Facilitator: Dr. G. Rajaram
Report (PDF 6 pages, illustrated)
HRET at Asha Kendra
Human Rights Education training
@Asha Kendra, Pathanamthitta, Kerala
11-12 January 2013
Facilitator: Prof. T.K. Jyothiraj
Report (PDF 5 pages, illustrated)
HRE-RFYN at three locales
Three Human Rights Education & Training (HRET) events run by HRE Facilitator & RFYN representative on IARF Council, Bro. Albert Xaviour, with the assistance of Support Facilitator Ms. Janhvi Gupte.
These events were organised entirely by our Young Adult program RFYN (therefore “HRE-RFYN”).
They lead a new initiative in the IARF HRE program, to match IARF central funding with self-funding / local contributions.
They are also the first reports to feature all event costings & expenditure.
(Please see the table on the final page of each report below for figures that show how these events have achieved the goal of this self-funding initiative).
- Chennai, TamilNadu:
@Sri Venkateshvara College of Engineering and Technology, Tiruvallur (PDF 5 pages, illustrated)
22-23 Nov 2012
Event report page with slideshow - Hindupur, Andhra Pradesh:
@BIT Engineering College (PDF 3 pages, illustrated)
26 Nov 2012 - Ahmedabad, Gujarat:
@St. Xavier’s College Ladies’ Hostel (PDF 5 pages, illustrated)
29-30 Nov 2012
Sanctions, Embargos and Human Rights: British Chapter resolution
18 December 2012
Preamble
“Sanctions and embargos directly affect Religious Freedom and other human rights. In December we learned that the United States’ economic blockade against Cuba has forced the postponement of the 6th General Assembly of the Latin American Council of Churches (CLAI), scheduled for 19 to 24 February 2013 in Havana, Cuba. (as reported 14 Dec 2012 <http://www.ekklesia.co.uk/node/17614>).
The American branch of the Ecuadorian bank Pichincha in Miami froze a deposit of 101,000 US dollars made by the CLAI headquarters in Quito, Ecuador. The transfer to Cuba was to cover costs of food and lodging for the 400 delegates and other participants expected to attend the meeting in that nation.
“This is greatly disappointing to the member churches of CLAI and to the entire constituency of the World Council of Churches (WCC),” the Rev Dr Olav Fykse Tveit said on Thursday 13 December 2012, after learning of the decision by CLAI to postpone the assembly.
“This shows that the decades old economic blockade of Cuba is out of touch with the realities in the world today, particularly in the faith-based communities, and should be ended for the sake of justice and peace,” Dr Tveit added.
The social effect of sanctions upon civilian populations historically may be seen in the shift of Cuban policy from left-wing nationalism to austere communism, the birth of the Russian Mafia in the black markets of the former Soviet Union and the growth of terrorist organizations in Palestine, Iraq and Syria. The current situation in Iran for people with long- term illnesses has recently been highlighted. International banks refuse to process payments for medicines because they fear incurring penalties for sanction-breaking.
Resolution
The British Chapter of the IARF questions the morality and long-term effectiveness of the indiscriminate use of sanctions, embargoes and blockades as ‘peaceful’ proxies for direct military action in pursuance of political, territorial or commercial aims or for collective punishment. Such actions inflict real and unjust harms upon the most vulnerable members of targeted nations. They often become an obstacle to the peaceful resolution of disputes. Sanctions and embargoes may in times of peace appear to be a less reprehensible response to ‘provocations’ than overt military action. However, this is only true if their consequences upon the human rights of the powerless are fully considered. They may directly and indirectly cause widespread personal injury and loss of life. This entrenches divided opinion, encourages violent response, and presents an obstacle to genuine meaningful negotiations.
We therefore urge states and nations enforcing or responding to sanctions, to act humanely, proportionately and moderately, to accept the responsibility to avoid or limit the harms caused by their actions, and to respect the Human Rights of vulnerable civilian populations.”
Rev. Dr. Richard Boeke, Chair, British Chapter IARF
Rev Chris Hudson MBE, Vice-Chair
Rev Feargus O’Connor, Secretary
With contributions by Shaykh Muhammad Amin Evans, Charanjit Singh, and Derek McAuley
HRET at B.D. College, Patna
Human Rights Education training
@B.D. College, Patna, Bihar state, India
8 – 9 December 2012
Facilitator: Prof. Asit Kumar Basu
Lapido Media – religious literacy
Centre for Religion in World Affairs
“An internationally networked, British-based philanthro-media charity, founded in 2005, that seeks to increase understanding among journalists and opinion formers of the way religion shapes world affairs”.
New Europe special edition on religious freedom
Special 2010 edition of New Europe on religious freedom, 35 articles with focus on Europe but ranging wider (and including UN special rapporteur on religious freedom Heiner Bielefeldt).
Religious Freedom – A New Europe special edition (PDF 38 pages, illustrated)
HRET at Kayamkulam
@Jameela Beevi Memorial Centre for Teacher Education, Kayamkulam, Kerala, India
14-15 December 2012
Facilitator: Prof. T.K. Jyothiraj
Report (PDF 5 pages, illustrated)
Photos