India Tomorrow
NEW DELHI—Prominent women from different fields expressed their solidarity with the victims of human rights violations across the globe and raised their concerns on the paradoxes and challenges surrounding the application of human rights principles and laws in the context of Human Rights Day at a national seminar organized by the Women’s Wing of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind (JIH) under the theme of ‘Human Rights and the Equality Paradox’.
JIH national secretary Rahmathunnissa, in her inaugural address, said that informed advocacy is essential to address the challenges of the equality paradox and ensure human rights for all human beings. Citing the examples of the ongoing inhuman onslaughts on the innocent children and women in Palestine and atrocities against certain selected groups and attempts of ethnic cleansing and genocide in different countries across the globe including India and the double stand taken by human rights and social activists, international organizations, politicians across the world as well as the media, she urged that much has to be done by those who still believe in humanity and justice.
Delhi University assistant professor Jenny Rowena said that delegitimization of human rights was constantly happening. Explaining how her husband Professor Hanie Babu was trapped in jail by purposely creating false evidence, she stated that the real problem was structural. Around thirty thousand Adivasis are pushed into jail and charged with UAPA through this process.
Bhasha Singh, Journalist and writer opined that the equality paradox and human rights have a direct connection with democracy. The Constitution of India assures equality for all but it depends upon who implements it. Politics decides human rights across the world and unless the voting power is not used properly, no change can be expected. She also said that the media has now become an industry to create perception.
Jawaharlal Nehru University professor Nivedita Menon said that the very preamble of the Constitution and every person of integrity has been criminalized in India. She spoke about the Islamophobic policies of the present government. Equality doesn’t mean sameness or uniformity. Recognizing differences is also essential. Keep thinking, talking, and debating alive, she urged.
Dr. Sabiha Khanam, a social activist, explained the history of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) and its 30 articles and how each article has been violated in Palestine. She expressed her concern over the state-sponsored violence in India and how democratic spaces are shrinking in the country by denying permission even to protest. She advocated that if a better, safer and more liberated world is to be created we shouldn’t stop trying for changing.
Sociologist Nandini Sunder expressed her strong opinion that whatever is happening in Palestine is against the Geneva Convention. We must boycott Israeli products and never forget that Palestine was there and will be there. Regarding India, she reminded the contribution of women also in the framing of the constitution and we should never lose hope.
Heena Fatima, a journalist from the Print, shared her field experience as a journalist. She expressed concern over how systematically the ending of minorities is going on in India. Citing the example of a 13 year old girl who was raped in Allahabad, she asked what human rights can we expect in a country where getting ‘roti’ for a girl like her is a luxury and speaking for justice is dangerous. She said that women can come out and do a lot in this regard.
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JIH national secretary Shaista Rafat, in her concluding address, said that accountability is a key tool in helping to prevent violations of human rights across the world. We have witnessed that every single voice asking questions put together makes a difference. Never doubt that even a small group of committed and concerned citizens can change the world.
Sana Tazeen Fatima, Uzma Ausaf, Nada Tasneem and Swaliha Inam also addressed the gathering. Shayma S, the sub editor of Aura E Magazine, conducted the proceedings.
