Human Rights Day, 'India has failed in promoting them': Bishops
New Delhi, 11 December 2013: "India is miserably failing in its obligation to respect,
protect and promote the human rights of its citizens. The Indian situation shows widespread
and flagrant violations of the rights that adversely affect the lives and the livelihoods
of the poor and vulnerable groups". This is what is stated by the Commission for the
justice, peace and development in the Episcopal Conference of India, on the UN Human
Rights Day, which is celebrated on December 10. In a message sent to Fides Agency
and signed by Fr. Charles Irudayam, Secretary of the Commission, the blatant sore
spots are recalled, ie all cases in which the basic rights have been trampled on in
India. Among the examples: the Bhopal tragedy in 1984; the pogroms based on caste
or religion; impunity related to the perpetrators of the pogrom in Gujarat, Orissa
and Uttar Pradesh. For all Indian citizens, the text continues, "the indifference
of the state to demand to remove laws that discriminate on the basis of religion,
the stubborn refusal to end the death penalty, and to repeal the law on special powers
to the Armed Forces, show a lack of respect for human rights".
In addition,
it states "the state has chosen to sacrifice the rights of its citizens on the altar
of development". There are, in fact, "mass displacement of tribals for mining activities
or construction of power, thermal or nuclear power plants to the detriment of the
living conditions of the fishermen or farmers". "The failure of the state - continues
the statement - is evident in the failure to protect women and children from abuse
and sexual violence, despite the laws". In this context, the Church offers its contribution
to make India better: the Church is committed to promoting the weaker sections of
society like the tribals, women, dalits, children and tries to be the "voice of those
who have no voice". This approach, say the Indian Bishops "is reiterated by Pope Francis
in his recent Apostolic Exhortation Evangelii Gaudium, when he says: "Each individual
Christian and every community is called to be an instrument of God for the liberation
and promotion of the poor, and for enabling them to be fully a part of society. This
demands that we be docile and attentive to the cry of the poor and to come to their
aid". Source: Fides