ACHA PEACE
BULLETIN http://www.groups.yahoo.com/group/ACHAPeaceBulletin
A publication of Association for Communal Harmony in
Asia (ACHA) www.asiapeace.org
Editor: Pritam K. Rohila, Ph. D.
Subscription is free.
To SUBSCRIBE, email a request to ACHAPeaceBulletin-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
To UNSUBSCRIBE, email the request to ACHAPeaceBulletin-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
_____________________________________________________________________________
ACHA PEACE
BULLETIN-Volume
IV, No. 12, December 4, 2002, (Next issue, January 1, 2003)
Prayer
I Am United With Others In A Worldwide Spiritual
Kinship,
Daily Word, October 25, 2002
Peace
& Harmony News
Peace
& Harmony Organizations
Nishant Natya Manch Via Shamsul Islam Shamsul@Bol.Net.In
News
From South Asia
Books
Community Perceptions Of Forced Marriage, Yunas Samad & John
Eade
Select Reading On Hindutva, John Dayal (Ed)
Gujarat: The Making Of A
Tragedy, Siddharth Varadarajan (Ed), Penguin, 2002, Pp 472, Rs 295
Sri Lankan Ethnic Crisis: Towards A Resolution,
R. B. Herath
Before The Night Falls-Forebodings Of Fascism In
India, K.N.
Panikkar
Environment
Children
Children
& War
Children
& War Trauma
Conferences
March 28-30, Washington, D.C., USA: Social Responsibility In
The Twenty-First Century
Events
December 5, New York, Ny, USA: Muhammad: Legacy Of A Prophet
Human
Rights
Peace
Resources
Transcend Peace University
The Eugene Peace
Code Pink: Women's Pre-Emptive Strike For Peace
Coalition To Oppose The Arms Trade (COAT)
Websites
www.unn.ac.uk/societies/islamic/
http://topica.com/lists/freepakistan/read
Women
(For a copy send a blank email to pritamr@open.org with its subject as the
UPPERCASE word in the article title. Please limit your request to 3 articles)
Bangladesh
Damaging
aftereffects of foreign journalists’ ARREST in Bangladesh, A.H.J.
Ullah, Dec
2, 2002
Children
Liberation of the CHILD
domestic, T
Mathew, Himal South Asian, Nov 2002
Democracy
Democracies and perpetual WORLD peace,
Ishtiaq Ahmed, Daily Times, 10 Nov, 2002
Education
Who killed Mahatma GANDHI? Basharat Peer, Rediff.com
Nov 8, 2002
History, ideology and
curriculum in PAKISTAN, Mubarak Ali, Peacemonger.com, Vol 2, No. 9, 2002
Mythology, ideology and
curriculum in INDIA, John Dayal, Peacemonger.com Vol
2, No. 9, 2002
Environment
The CLIMATE-Forest Continuum, Sunita Narain, Centre for
Science and Environment, India
India
Diwali BLUES, Arvind Lavakare,
Rediff.com, Nov 6, 2002
The BJP and Gujrat ELECTIONS,
Asghar Ali Engineer, Secular Perspective - Nov. 16-30, 2002
BIHAR: Expanding Left-Wing
Violence, Sanjay K. Jha, South Asia
Intelligence Review, Nov 25, 2002
India THREE economies in one, Surojit Gupta, Reuters,
Dec. 2, 2002
The POST-colonial Indian political discourse,
Ishtiaq Ahmed, 1 Dec 2002
NAGA Peace: A Good March
Forward, Wasbir Hussain, South Asia
Intelligence, Dec 2, 2002
Kashmir
Kashmir QUESTION, Dr. K.N. Pandita, Via Dr.
Jagan Kaul
What Kashmiris really WANT, Amit Chakraborty,
Statesman, Kolkata, India, Nov 15, 2002
Problems of J&K - A
Statistical SURVEY of Srinagar District, Amit
Chakraborty, Nov 2002
Kashmir: The road ahead and
US STAKES,
Aziz Haniffa, Rediff.com, Nov 6, 2002
Elements of a COMMON Minimum
Programme for the Coalition Government in J&K
Kashmir: The VIEW From
Srinagar,
crisisweb.org, Nov 22, 2002
New dispensation in SRINAGAR, Ershad Mahmud, News,
Islamabad, Nov 25, 2002
AZAD Kashmir- is it Azad?
Part 1, Dr Shabir Choudhry, Nov
15, 2002
Azad Kashmir- is it Azad?
PART 2, Dr
Shabir Choudhry, Nov 22, 2002
Azad Kashmir- is it Azad?
PART 3, Dr Shabir Choudhry
shabir@k4kashmir.com
J&K: No Respite from
JEHADIS , Kanchan Lakshman, SAIR, Vol
1, No. 19, Nov 25, 2002
Nuclear issues
What is meant by nuclear
balance of terror in South ASIA, R. R. K. Qazi, peacemonger.com, Vol
2, No. 9, 2002
Pakistan
A New Government 'takes
CHARGE',
Ajai Sahni, South Asia Intelligence Review, Nov 25, 2002
Religion
Holy COW! Amberish K Diwanji, Rediff.com
Nov 15, 2002
Divide and convert; divide
and RULE,
Michel Danino, Rediff.com Nov 22, 2002
Why Hinduism in an AGE of
Science and Abrahamic Monotheism? Gopala Rao , Sulekha.com Oct 30 – Nov 5,
2002
Sri Lanka
From Secession to Regional
Autonomy: LTTE Shifting STANCE? G.H.
Peiris, SAIR, Dec 2, 2002
Women
The violence women FACE, Kalpana Sharma
PRAYER
*I am united with others in a worldwide spiritual
kinship, Daily Word, October 25, 2002
Technological advances in communications such as the
Internet have moved people toward the realization that we are each a part of
one world community. And with spiritual vision, I see all people of the world
united in spiritual kinship.
I would never treat another person as if he or she
were outside the circle of God’s family. I look with eyes of love, and I
recognize the light of God shining through, even when the person’s behavior is
not acceptable to me. Whether someone dear to me or someone I have never met,
every person is my brother or sister in God’s family.
Despite differences in the ways we pray, our oneness
is based on our shared kinship with the same God, the One who created us all
and whose presence unites us all.
PEACE &
HARMONY NEWS
(Readers are
invited to submit similar news from other areas of South Asia to help us
broaden of our coverage? Please send the news, along with its date, and source,
to pritamr@open.org , a week before the
date of publication of the next issue of ACHA Peace Bulletin)
Donor countries promise financial, political support
to peace process at Oslo meet
Financial and political support was promised to the
peace process in Sri Lanka at Oslo, on November 25, 2002, at a meeting attended
by 35 countries including the US, the UK, Japan and the European Union. Donor
countries promised to immediately give US$ 60 to 70 million in 'emergency aid'
and said more would be extended after a meeting in early 2003 in Tokyo. The aid
would be utilised for the entire country and is not limited to the
conflict-afflicted Northeast. www.dailynews.com.lk, November 27, 2002.
Ban on NSCN-IM lifted; Naga peace talks-next round in Delhi
Minister of State for Home, I.D. Swami, announced on
November 26, 2002, that the Union government has decided not to renew the ban
on the National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Isak-Muivah (NSCN-IM), even as
the ban lapsed at midnight on November 26. He reiterated that the decision
followed the NSCN-IM leaderships' consent to come to India to participate in
the ongoing peace talks. According to Union Home Ministry sources, the talks
are likely to take place in the second week of December in New Delhi. The two
Naga leaders would be returning to India after 37 years. Hindustan Times www.hindustantimes.com
Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front Chairman condemns
Ragunath Temple the attack
Mr Amanullah Khan Chairman Jammu Kashmir Liberation
Front (JKLF) has strongly
condemned the attack on the Ragunath Temple in Jammu, the winter capital
of Jammu Kashmir State. Expressing deep anger and anguish over loss of 15 lives
besides many more having been injured and at desecration of the holy place of
worship, Mr Amanullah Khan said that who-ever, had committed this heinous crime
was an enemy not only of the
people of Jammu Kashmir Sate and their freedom movement, but of the entire
region as such follies pollute the inter religious atmosphere every
where. (JKLF jklf@isb.comsats.net.pk,
Nov 26, 2002)
Hurriyat, Pakistan condemn temple attack
The Hurriyat Conference said the root cause of
violence needed to be addressed, while Pakistan said such acts were intended to
escalate tension in the area.
http://www.rediff.com/news/2002/nov/25jk8.htm
New Pakistan govt seeks better ties with India
http://www.rediff.com/news/2002/nov/25pak.htm
Governor calls for dialogue in Kashmir
A special session of the Jammu and Kashmir
legislature began November 22 with Governor G.C. Saxena urging the central
government to open a "serious and result oriented" dialogue to solve
the Kashmir problem. Saxena said legislators and other sections of the people
should be involved in the proposed dialogue to usher "just and durable
peace" in the state that has been "traumatized and brutalized" for
the past 13 years by a dragging separatist campaign. KGN News kashmir_news@yahoo.com
Jethmalani meets separatist leader Shabir Shah
'The solution to the [Kashmir] problem has to be
somewhere in the middle of the strong postures taken by the Government of India
and the separatist leaders', the chairman of the Kashmir Committee said. http://www.rediff.com/news/2002/nov/22jk1.htm
We must reach out to the alienated: J&K governor
`A historic opportunity is knocking at our doors and
we don't want to miss it...' G C Saxena said in his address to the assembly.
http://www.rediff.com/news/2002/nov/21jk2.htm
Mufti to release more political prisoners
The Jammu and Kashmir chief minister said,
'Democracy is a battle of ideas. Let them [political prisoners] come out and
put forth their point of view and we will put ours'.
http://www.rediff.com/news/2002/nov/13jk1.htm
Hurriyat ready to discuss other solutions
Former Hurriyat chairman Umer, November 6 said
Kashmir issue can be solved through trilateral talks. However, the conglomerate
was ready to discuss other solutions provided aspirations of the people were
fulfilled. He was addressing a seminar titled Tumhay yaad ho kay na yaad ho
organised by the Muslim League to commemorate the martyrdom of those killed on
November 6 at Jammu. JKLF jklfhqs@rediffmail.com
Sonia Gandhi to address Oxford Islamic Centre on
November 29
The Congress president will deliver a lecture on
'Conflict and Peaceful
Coexistence'. http://www.rediff.com/news/2002/nov/21shahid.htm
Shed differences in the name of religion, caste:
Kalam
The President of India said this was the message
India got from Professor Sadako Ogata of Japan, who was awarded the 2001 Indira
Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development. http://www.rediff.com/news/2002/nov/19kalam.htm
Jammu & Kashmir children’s days out
A group of nine boys and nine girls, who have grown up
in the shadow of violence and to the sounds of gunfire in villages along the
Line of Control in Kashmir valley began sightseeing tour of India, as a part of
Operation Ujala, a program sponsored by the Indian army. During this a 17-day
trip, they will visit historical and cultural sites in Delhi, Agra and Jaipur
and interact with important political figures and civil and political figures.
(PTI, Via India west Nov 15, 02)
Night curfew relaxed in J&K during Ramzan
As part of night curfew, people were restricted from
venturing out at odd hours and in case they do, inform the nearest security
force picket.
http://www.rediff.com/news/2002/nov/07jk2.htm
Assam govt to invite Bodo rebels for talks on Nov 13
This is the first time the two sides will meet
directly without a representative from the Centre. http://www.rediff.com/news/2002/nov/07assam.htm
*Nishant Natya Manch Via Shamsul Islam shamsul@bol.net.in
Nishant toured Gujarat once again (20-29 November, 2002) with its repertoire of street plays, songs, banners and literature. This was the most intensive so far as we covered not only tribal areas of South and North Gujarat (Dangs, Narmada District, Ambaji etc.) but also urban centers like Vadodra (Baroda) and Ahmedabad. We chose to spend maximum time in tribal areas as communal elements have been working overtime to spread communal hatred amongst tribals and used them for attacking minorities. In cities we chose those spots for performances where poor Hindus and Muslims had indulged in terrible violence against each other.
Nishant performed at thirty-three places and mostly
each show included two street plays and few songs with adaptations in Gujarati
or local dialects on themes of common sufferings and common heritage. At many
places street theatre performances of Nishant had to be converted into
proscenium theatre like performances as due to presence of huge audience stage,
lights and more mikes had to be arranged.
*India
India can never be a Hindu state: Advani
http://www.rediff.com/news/2002/nov/18par2.htm
Kerala village puts lawyers out of jobs
The residents of India's first litigation free
village resolve their disputes amicably, finds out George Iype. http://www.rediff.com/news/2002/nov/28spec.htm
*India-Gujarat
The Election in Gujarat: The Full Coverage http://www.rediff.com/election/guj2002.htm
Relief camp cards valid for identity: Election
Commission
The other alternatives include property documents,
student identity cards, railway and bus passes, passport, driving licence,
permanent account number card.
http://www.rediff.com/election/2002/nov/29guj.htm
Modi liable for prosecution for genocide: Citizens
Tribunal
The tribunal of eminent citizens, headed by Justice
(retired) Krishna Iyer, held Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi and Sangh
Parivar outfits directly responsible for the post-Godhra violence. http://www.rediff.com/election/2002/nov/22guj5.htm
Gujarat police quite professional now: Lyngdoh
The Commission is satisfied with the arrangements
being made for Gujarat election, the chief election commissioner said. http://www.rediff.com/election/2002/nov/22guj2.htm
EC issues notification for Gujarat polls
The last date for filing nominations is November 25
and papers will be scrutinised the next day. http://www.rediff.com/election/2002/nov/18guj1.htm
EC ban on VHP rally justified: Vajpayee
http://www.rediff.com/election/2002/nov/15guj.htm
EC to despatch 22 special observers
The observers, who will reach Ahmedabad on Friday,
were briefed by the commission on Thursday, sources said. http://www.rediff.com/election/2002/nov/14guj2.htm
Gujarat government refuses permission for yatra
http://www.rediff.com/election/2002/nov/14guj4.htm
VHP to go ahead with yatra http://www.rediff.com/election/2002/nov/14guj1.htm
Election Commission bans religious rallies in
Gujarat
http://www.rediff.com/election/2002/nov/13guj.htm
Home secretary, CEC discuss security for Gujarat
election
Two hundred companies of paramilitary forces would
be deployed in the state from November 22, and further requirements of the
Election Commission would be met a week ahead of the assembly election. http://www.rediff.com/news/2002/nov/07guj.htm
*India-Jammu & Kashmir
Govt to revive tourism in Jammu and Kashmir - PTI
Srinagar, December 2. Jammu and Kashmir government
has decided to link famous tourist spots of Gulmarg and Pahalgam with
helicopter services in order to revive and boost tourism. KGN News kashmir_news@yahoo.com
New Kashmir chief promises safety for returning
Hindus -AFP
The new leader of Indian-administered Kashmir
November 30 invited displaced Hindus to return to the revolt-wracked
Muslim-dominated northern region, seeking to lure them back with the promise of
jobs and security. KGN News kashmir_news@yahoo.com
Supreme Court directs J&K Government for relief to
Jammu Migrants
In a
historic judgment, the Supreme Court of India directed J&K Government to
provide relief to Jammu migrants immediately at par with the border migrants.
This order was passed by a Division Bench of the Supreme Court comprising of JJ
Ms.Ruma Pal and Mr. B.N. Srikrishnaafter hearing leading Jurist and Human
Rights Activist, Prof Bhim Singh's most powerful arguments for nearly three
hours.
No lowering of guard against terrorism: Sayeed
The Jammu and Kashmir chief minister clarified that
the 'healing touch' did not mean a soft policy towards militancy. http://www.rediff.com/news/2002/nov/25jk10.htm
Accountability Commission Bill introduced in
assembly
The bill envisages establishment of an institution
of accountability commission for inquiring into allegations and grievances
against public men, including chief minister.
http://www.rediff.com/news/2002/nov/23jk1.htm
Abdullah, Azad elected to Rajya Sabha from Kashmir
Their election was announced on the last day for
filing of nominations to the November 18 elections, after a two-hour discussion
between leaders of rival parties led to a consensus.
http://www.rediff.com/news/2002/nov/08jk1.htm
*India – Northeast
ULFA calls for 'humane' solution to conflict
The Centre's decision to lift the ban on the NSCN
(I-M) has spurred the ULFA to seek a 'humane and democratic' solution to the
'Indo-Assam conflict'.
http://www.rediff.com/news/2002/nov/28vina.htm
Centre to lift ban on NSCN-IM
The move is expected to clear the way for top
NSCN-IM leaders Isak Chisi Swu and Th Muivah to visit New Delhi for talks. http://www.rediff.com/news/2002/nov/25nscn.htm
*Nepal
Over 50 Maoists killed in Nepal
The rebels were on their way to attack Besishahar
250kms from Kathmandu, when they encountered security forces at the border of
Gorkha and Lamjung districts.
http://www.rediff.com/news/2002/nov/25nepal.htm
Interpol issues red-corner notices against Maoist
leaders
But the notices are not mandatory for Interpol
member countries, since there are no cases pending against the leaders in
Nepalese courts.
http://www.rediff.com/news/2002/nov/18nepal.htm
*Pakistan
'Islamic laws' to govern Pakistani province
'We cannot allow VCRs and tape recorders in
passenger vehicles in our province,' the chief minister of the North West
Frontier Province, Akram Durrani, said.
http://www.rediff.com/news/2002/nov/30pak.htm
MMA man elected chief minister of NWFP
Punjab, the biggest of Pakistan's four provinces, is
the only one where the PML-Q has formed a secure government. http://www.rediff.com/news/2002/nov/29pak2.htm
New PM to continue Kashmir policy: Musharraf
http://www.rediff.com/news/2002/nov/28pak.htm
Jamali sworn in as Pakistani prime minister
Besides 14 cabinet ministers and seven ministers of
state, Musharraf administered the oath of office to four advisers to the prime
minister.
http://www.rediff.com/news/2002/nov/23pak.htm
Pakistan will retaliate if any one casts an evil
eye: Jamali
Pakistan has no enmity with anyone and wants to have
good relations with everyone,' the prime minister-elect said without naming
India.
http://www.rediff.com/news/2002/nov/21pak2.htm
Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali elected Pakistani PM
http://www.rediff.com/news/2002/nov/21pak.htm
MMA says talks with PML-Q have failed
An MMA release said the talks fell through following
President Musharraf's refusal to scrap extension of his presidential term.
http://www.rediff.com/news/2002/nov/18pak1.htm
PML-Q nominee is Pakistan parliament speaker
Chaudhary Amir Hussain received 167 votes, followed
by Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal's Liaqat Baluch, who polled 80. http://www.rediff.com/news/2002/nov/19pak1.htm
Pakistan army commanders express confidence in Musharraf
The mainstream and religious parties, however, have
refused to recognise the April referendum of Musharraf. http://www.rediff.com/news/2002/nov/19paki.htm
Musharraf sworn-in president for another five years
Earlier, the Pakistani president had issued the
`Removal of Difficulty Order' decree, reviving the constitution, and said he
would act as the chief executive till the new prime minister takes oath of
office. http://www.rediff.com/news/2002/nov/16pak.htm
10 members of Bhutto's party shift loyalties
President Musharraf is breaking the Pakistan
People's Party with coercion and inducements, PPP general secretary Raza
Rabbani said.
http://www.rediff.com/news/2002/nov/15paki.htm
Court dismisses petition against Musharraf
The petition challenged the legality of the Legal
Framework Order, which incorporates Musharraf's election as Pakistan's
president through a referendum.
http://www.rediff.com/news/2002/nov/15pak.htm
Musharraf revives Pakistan's constitution
http://www.rediff.com/news/2002/nov/15pak1.htm
Pakistani religious parties harden stand on Musharraf
Parliament is the sovereign body and supremacy of
any individual and any other institution will not be accepted, they told the
president.
http://www.rediff.com/news/2002/nov/14pak.htm
Musharraf ready to compromise with MMA
The Islamist alliance wants the Pakistan president
to quit as army chief and contest a proper election. http://www.rediff.com/news/2002/nov/13lfo.htm
Hizb expels three former 'commanders'
Tufail Altaf, Almas Khan and Nadeem Usmani were
removed for lobbying for former outfit chief Abdul Majid Dar, who was removed
by the PoK leadership last year.
http://www.rediff.com/news/2002/nov/07jk5.htm
Benazir holding secret talks with Musharraf: MMA
The six-party Muthahida Majlis-e-Amal accused the
former Pakistani premier of trying to secure the release of her husband Asif
Zardari in return of support to the pro-Musharraf Pakistan Muslim
League-Qaid-e-Azam.
http://www.rediff.com/news/2002/nov/07pak.htm
*Sri Lanka
Regional self-rule is Tamils' right, says LTTE chief
Prabhakaran
Delivering the customary Annual Heroes Days address
on November 27, 2002, Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) chief Velupillai
Prabhakaran said the LTTE is in favour of a peaceful resolution of the
protracted conflict. Asking for a 'reasonable' solution, he declared, "If our
demand for regional self-rule on the right to internal self-determination is
rejected, we have no alternative than to secede and form an independent
state." He called for an immediate withdrawal of the security forces from
Jaffna peninsula for 'normalcy and social peace' to return. He also asked the
international community to render financial assistance for reconstruction and
rehabilitation. www.tamilnet.com
, November 27, 2002.
LTTE has breached truce: Sea monitors
The Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission will lodge a
complaint with the LTTE leadership.
http://www.rediff.com/news/2002/nov/19sri.htm
*Community Perceptions of
Forced Marriage, Yunas Samad & John Eade, the Foreign and Commonwealth
Report available as a downloadable pdf file at http://www.fco.gov.uk/Files/kfile/clureport.pdf
*Select reading on Hindutva, John Dayal (Ed),
All India Christian Council and Justice and peace Commission, 1157 pages,
hardbound, Rs. 395 ($ 39.95). Ditributed by Media House, New Delhi www.mediahousedelhi.com mediabooks@hotmail.com
According to the editor, the book covers every
single major civil society investigation into Gujarat from 1998 to June 2002
and includes articles by Seema Mustafa, John Chattanath, Ambrose Pinto, Shamsul
Islam, M P Raju and John Dayal for an in depth understanding of the worst
crsisis Indian democracy has faced in the half century of its existence.
*Gujarat:
The Making of a Tragedy, Siddharth
Varadarajan (Ed), Penguin, 2002, pp 472,
Rs 295.
The events at Godhra and the ensuing communal carnage in Gujarat, like
the Babri Masjid demolition and the 1984 massacres, constitute an ugly chapter
of our contemporary history. For the sheer brutality, persistence and
widespread nature of the violence, especially against women and children, the complicity
of the State, the ghettoization of communities, and the indifference of civil
society, Gujarat has surpassed anything we have experienced in recent times.
That this happened in one of India’s most ‘well off’ and ‘progressive’ states,
the home of the Mahatma, is all the more alarming. This book is intended to be a permanent public
archive of the tragedy that is Gujarat. Drawing upon eyewitness reports from
the English, Hindi and regional media, citizens’ and official fact-finding
commissions – and articles by leading public figures and intellectuals – it
provides a chilling account of how and why the state was allowed to burn.
*Sri Lankan Ethnic Crisis: Towards a Resolution,
R. B. Herath, 604-597-1920 www.rbherath.com or heraths@familynet.bc.ca
According to Hari Sharma, Sri Lankan Ethnic Crisis
is a thorough and dispassionate account of Sri Lanka's history through
different stages, tracing the root causes of the civil war that has been going
on for almost twenty years, and has taken a toll of tens of thousands of lives.
It is also a systematic study of the political and constitutional shifts and
alliances over the period of five decades, whichhave so far failed to find a
proper solution to the Sinhalese-Tamil conflict. http://www.trafford.com/robots/02-0606.html
*Before the Night Falls-Forebodings of Fascism in India, K.N. Panikkar,
Books for Change, Bangalore, India bfc@actionaidindia.org
A collection of essays by the author explore the unfolding of the
Fascist Agenda of the
Sangh Parivar in the areas of politics, culture and education.
Over 2.75 lakh cars converted to CNG in Pakistan
More than 275 CNG stations are in operation and over
275,000 cars have been converted to CNG making Pakistan third largest CNG
consumer in the world after Argentina and Italy. This was revealed by latest
statistics, released by the concerned department. FACE (Foundation for the Advancement of Community
Education) Weekly Newsletter, December 1, 2002
CHILDREN
A garden of touch and smell
Shobha Warrier witnesses visually handicapped
children feel no hindrance in a garden made especially for them in Chennai. http://www.rediff.com/news/2002/nov/14spec.htm
CHILDREN &
WAR (Via www.peace.moveon.org)
*http://peace.moveon.org/r2.php3?r=176
provides an excellent summary of how armed conflict affects children, including
how abuses of children continue to rise even with new international laws and
conventions. Includes pictures.
*http://www.unicef.org/graca/
"…more and more of the world is being sucked into a space in which
children are slaughtered, raped, and maimed; a space in which children are
exploited as soldiers; a space in which children are starved and exposed to
extreme brutality. Such unregulated terror and violence speak of deliberate
victimization. There are few further depths to which humanity can sink,"
explains "Impact of Armed Conflict on Children," a fairly long but
compelling report, jointly created by UNICEF and the UN as a whole. The report
overviews the many ways in which children are affected by war, whether as
victims or as child soldiers, and includes recommendations about how to solve
these problems. Via www.peace.moveon.org
*http://www.cdi.org/dm/1997/issue4/
Child soldiers are relatively new in history, and are being used in increasing
numbers, partially due to the increasing availability of lightweight
weapons. But they are generally in
areas far from media scrutiny, and their deaths and/or abandonment on the battlefield
are largely undocumented. Combined with injuries sustained in battle,
experience as a child soldier can make it next to impossible for these kids to
grow up and participate in a "normal" life or society. Via www.peace.moveon.org
*http://peace.moveon.org/r2.php3?r=178
Ishmael, a former child soldier, told a UN special session panel discussion
about his experiences in spring of this year. According to Ishmael, he was
recruited by being told that he could take revenge on the people who killed his
family. He fought for three years, and as he fought, he lost "that human
thing that makes you care for other people." He has since been
rehabilitated, and is committed to preventing others from going through the
same pain he has. Via www.peace.moveon.org
*http://www.esrnational.org/guide.htm#scaremore is an excellent guide which explains how to
discuss violence and other complex world issues with children. It is written in
an easy-to-use question and answer format. The main emphasis of this guide is
to focus on your child's opinions, rather than your own, while correcting any
obvious misinformation and emphasizing how important it is to respect the
opinions of others.
CHILDREN &
WAR TRAUMA
The war isn't over when the war is over. Psychological effects of the war live
on -- especially for traumatized children. This article focuses on Mozambique,
but could just as well be applied to any armed conflict.
http://www.oneworld.org/child_rights/maputo_war.html
A study of children in Sarajevo, Angola, and Rwanda,
conducted by UNICEF, found that most children had been present for shelling or
shooting, with over half having been shot at by snipers. The article briefly
explains the symptoms and long-term effects of such trauma, which will not
simply heal over time but need active treatment. http://www.unicef.org/sowc96/7trauma.htm
This article is supposed to be about talking to your
kids about the threat of terrorism and biological attack. While it doesn't
exactly answer those questions in any really specific way, it does provide an
excellent brief summary of the psychological findings on war and trauma, and
lists the various relevant psychological studies. According to the article,
"There is now a substantial body of literature documenting the immediate
and long-term psychological effects of war-related violence on children. The
research has studied both those who have been direct victims of war and
terrorism, as well as the indirect victims and even potential victims.
Accumulating evidence shows that war experiences can damage the psychosocial
development of young children and their expectations regarding their future
lives. Being separated from their families, seeing armed combat, having family
members injured or killed, and being attacked have left profound and enduring
psychological wounds on children. Both male and female adolescents under the
extreme threat of war-related violence report high levels of psychological
distress. Many victims of war related-violence develop post-traumatic stress
disorder (PTSD)." http://www.fema.gov/kids/terrism.htm
This is an excellent fact sheet on Post-Traumatic
Stress Disorder, or PTSD, which provides information on the definition,
development, symptoms, and treatment of the disorder. http://www.ncptsd.org/facts/general/fs_what_is_ptsd.html
*March 28-30, Washington, D.C., USA: SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY IN THE
TWENTY-FIRST CENTURY, 20th
Anniversary Conference of Psychologists for Social Responsibility
(PsySR) designed to help psychologists, social scientists, mental health
professionals, educators, and activists build peace and social justice at
University of the District of Columbia. More info from www.psysr.org or Tod Sloan, Co-Coordinator,
Psychologists for Social Responsibility psysr2@aol.com
*December 5, New York, NY,
USA: MUHAMMAD: LEGACY
OF A PROPHET, a special preview screening of a riveting Public
Broadcasting Service documentary telling the story of the seventh-century
prophet who changed world history and continues to shape the lives of more than
1.2 billion people, 7:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m. Reception at 6:00 p.m., at Asia Society
and Museum725 Park Ave. Tickets at $7
($10 nonmembers). More info from 212-517-ASIA http://www.asiasociety.org/events/calendar.pl?event=13535
Dalit woman paraded half-naked over land dispute in
Bihar, India
The group of people wanted to teach a lesson to
Bharati Devi and her family for not giving away their claim over a piece of
land.
http://www.rediff.com/news/2002/nov/18bihar2.htm
PEACE RESOURCES
*Transcend Peace University (TPU) is the
first ever global university developing skills and knowledge for conflict
transformation by peaceful means, peacebuilding, and sustainable development.
TPU will offer the following six 15-weeks courses from February 2003:
Conflict Transformation by Peaceful Means Johan
Galtung
Nonmilitary Aspects of Security Dietrich Fischer
Global Conflicts and Nonviolence Joergen Johansen
Peace Building and Empowerment Kai Frithjof
Brand-Jacobsen
Peace Journalism Jake Lynch & Annabel McGoldrick
Peace and the Arts Olivier Urbain
The courses will start on February 3, 2003. Registration starts now and the
deadline is January 20, 2003. Cost per Course: Euros 500. More info from
Transcend Peace University Global Center, Cluj, Romania www.transcend.org/tpu, +40-264-180988
or +40-724-380511; Fax: +40264180988
*The Eugene Peace Academy is the first public peace academy in the US.
The academy offers "a fully integrated environmental, relational and
creative arts curriculum grounded in contemporary events, community needs and
planetary concerns." In regards to issues of war and peace, the students
of the academy "will come to understand the root and resolution of
conflict through active skill building and practice of non-violent
communication skills." The school will initially open for grades K - 8. More info from
http://eugenepeaceacademy.org
*Code Pink: Women's Pre-emptive Strike for Peace
is a campaign calling on the women of the world to rise up and oppose a new
attack on Iraq.
http://peace.moveon.org/r2.php3?r=181
*Coalition to Oppose the Arms Trade (COAT) is
a network of individuals and NGOs across Canada and around the world working to
oppose the arms trade. COAT is offering free sample copies of their most recent
magazine issue, on the topic of "Real Reasons for the Invasion of
Iraq," to Canadian residents (it can be purchased by any non-Canadian
residents who are interested). For a brief blurb about the issue and how to
order, visit the following link: http://www.flora.org/coat/forum/1412
*www.RebuildIndia.org seeks ideas about solving
small problems in India.
*www.unn.ac.uk/societies/islamic/ aims to provide
“accurate information about Islamic beliefs, history and civilization.”
*www.ssalanka.com
The Social Scientists’ Association in Colombo, Sri Lanka has recently launched
a new web site called Peace Web, which examines Sri Lanka’s peace
process. Peace Web contains informed analysis of the ethnic conflict and
the peace and negotiation process in Sri Lanka. The contributors to this
website are Sri Lanka’s leading social science scholars and civil society activists. More info from Kumari Jayawardena, 425/15,
Thimbirigasyaya Road, Columbo 05, Sri Lanka, Phone 94-1-501 339, Fax 94-1-595
563, Email ssa@eureka.lk)
*http://topica.com/lists/FreePakistan/read
is the website of FreePakistan which seeks to promote Libertarian principles
and values such as individual freedom, private property, market economy,
limited constitutional government, and the rule of law. Its vision is a free and
prosperous Pakistan; for only such a Pakistan can contribute positively to the
creation of a free and prosperous world. More info from khalilkf@hotmail.com
*www.ialipac.org Indian-American Leadership
Incubator
*www.southasiannetwork.org
South Asian Network 562.403.0488
*www.usindiafriendship.net the website of Friends of India
details the positions of US legislators on India-related issues
*www.usinpac.com
the website of USINPAC provides a listing of positions of U.S. federal
legislators have taken on all issues of concern in the Indian-American
community
http://www.infochangeindia.org/PovertyIstory.jsp?recordno=94§ion_idv=7