Highlights Of Last Month – November, 2021

On her 60th birthday, human rights lawyer and activist Sudha Bharadwaj, imprisoned for the last three years in the Bhima Koregaon case, was sent messages by CIVICUS, a global alliance of civil society organizations and activists, IndienKoGruppe (India Co ordination Group) at Amnesty International, Germany) and others around the world.

International human rights organizations strongly condemn the arrest under UAPA, the anti-terror law, of the human rights defender Khurram Parvez, also the Program Coordinator of Jammu and Kashmir Coalition of Civil Society (JKCCS) and Chairman of the Board of Asian Federation Against Involuntary Disappearances (AFAD). “We are deeply concerned about the high risk of torture while in custody.” OMCT, World Organisation Against Torture “He’s not a terrorist, he’s a Human Rights Defender.” Mary Lawlor, UN Special Rapporteur, Human Rights Defenders “(Khurram Parvez and JKCCS) acted impeccably as human rights defenders to earn the highest reputation both within Kashmir and from international institutions.” Rafto Foundation “(He is) yet another example of how anti-terror laws are being misused to criminalize human rights work & stifle dissent in India.” Amnesty International

• “As movements united in our global struggles for food sovereignty, we draw inspiration from this year long struggle led by India’s farmers that has demonstrated what resilience and unity of the working class can achieve even in the face of adversities.” Globalize the Struggle, Globalize Hope!
• LVC – La Via Campesina, WAMIP – World Alliance of Mobile Indigenous Peoples,IITC – International Indian Treaty Council,URGENCI – International Network for Community Supported Agriculture,WWM – World Women March,HIC – Habitat International Coalition,FIAN International,FOEI – Friends of the Earth International,FIMARC – International Federation of Adult Rural Catholic Movements
• “The largest strike action by workers in a generation. They inspired a global movement of solidarity.” Claudia Webbe, Member of UK Parliament
• “To the many martyrs who have given their lives! The movement has lit the spark of hope.”South Asia Solidarity Group, UK
• “More than a year of sustained protest…has compelled the Modi government to withdraw 3 laws that threatened livelihoods.” UK MP Jeremy Corbyn’s Peace and Justice Project
• “The food crisis is global, and our resistance must be too.” UK based anti-poverty organization War on Want

• Climate activists stage threesome to call for boycott of London Science Museum, Shell and Adani. The museum has been accused of greenwashing for partnering with Shell to fund its Our Future Planet exhibition, and with Adani to fund a new gallery.
• LVC – La Via Campesina, WAMIP – World Alliance of Mobile Indigenous Peoples,IITC – International Indian Treaty Council,URGENCI – International Network for Community Supported Agriculture,WWM – World Women March,HIC – Habitat International Coalition,FIAN International,FOEI – Friends of the Earth International,FIMARC – International Federation of Adult Rural Catholic Movements
• During COP26, the UN’s annual conference to discuss the world’s progress on climate change, while the British government fails to raise the right questions to Modi – whose empty slogans and vague promises are the exact opposite of policies on the ground that ensure large scale deforestation and coal mining – protestors at the 100,000 strong rally in Glasgow, sent powerful missives to Modi accompanied by Punjabi drumming to Scottish bagpipes.
• India, the third biggest polluter in the world, mocked for ‘laughable’ pledge to reach net zero in 50 years – 10 years after China and two decades after the target being set by G20 nations.