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Brief History of Organization:
During Summer 2004, I was fortunate to intern at the South Asia Human Rights
Documentation Centre in New Delhi, India. The organization documents human rights
situation in South Asia. The Centre also “seeks to investigate, document
and disseminate information about human rights treaties and conventions, human
rights education, refugees, media freedom, prison reforms, political imprisonment,
torture, summary executions, disappearances and other cruel, inhuman or degrading
treatment”. SAHRDC has the Special Consultative Status with the Economic
and Social Council of the United Nations and as such attends the annual ECOSOC
conference in Geneva to report on South Asia.
SAHRDC also:
- Collects information and engages in report-writing on the many human rights
issues relevant to South Asia
- Engages in curriculum writing for university instruction on human rights
- Provides assistance to refugees in their filing paperwork and presenting cases
to the UNHCR
- Provides support and engages in dialogue with other non-profit organizations
in the region
- Organizes and participates in national and international trainings and conferences
where it provides its expertise on advocacy of human rights
- Publishes Human rights Features in collaboration with the Human rights Documentation
Centre (Available at http://www.hrdc.net/sahrdc/hrfeatures.htm)
Source: SAHRDC website: http://www.hri.ca/partners/sahrdc/
Responsibilities of Fellow:
As intern at SAHRDC I was assigned several projects. Below is the detailed description
of the activities in which I engaged and projects I completed while at the Centre.
Jammu and Kashmir Report:
As soon as I arrived at SAHRDC, I was assigned to the team of colleagues who
were working on compiling a report on the current situation of human rights
in Jammu and Kashmir. First of all, I researched the history of violence in
the region so that I could gain the background necessary to understand the complexity
of the internal conflict.
Second, I collaborated with a team of individuals in reviewing several years
worth of “Kashmir Times”, the Jammu and Kashmir local newspaper.
We looked for news of human rights violations, trials, new legislature and anything
that affected the respect and promotion of fundamental human rights in the region.
Then I was assigned to compile information on a specific chapter of the report.
I worked on the chapter concerning disappearances in the region. I thoroughly
researched the topic. After assessing the extent of the problem, I studied both
national and international legal provisions that prohibit the use of Enforced
or Involuntary Disappearances (EID). I also analyzed the steps taken by the
current government to eradicate the practice of EID. Finally, I concentrated
on the ways that the Indian government, the judiciary and the National Human
Rights Commission report and punish the practice of EID. I concluded my chapter
with a set of recommendations on how the governmental and non-governmental institutions
could effectively guarantee the safety of the inhabitants of Jammu and Kashmir.
Bhutanese Refugees in Nepal, Update of 1998 Report:
Once again, after consultation with the executive director of SAHRDC I was assigned
to find out more about the plight of the Bhutanese refugees in Nepal who initiated
their exodus from Bhutan in the early 1990s amid ethnic persecution they faced
in their homeland. Although they have lived in Bhutan for generations, the fleeing
ethnic group is defined by the Bhutanese government to be “ethnic Nepalese”
and not Bhutanese. The problem of the refugees is very complex and evidences
the inability of both Bhutanese and Nepalese government to provide viable solutions
for the presence of more than 100,000 Bhutanese living in refugee camps in eastern
Nepal following their departure from Bhutan. After researching the historical
roots of oppression in Bhutan, I researched the oppressive legal provisions
that currently prevent many ethnic Nepalese from claiming Bhutanese citizenship.
I also researched and complied information on the actions taken by the international
community to halt the crisis in the region, by providing both humanitarian support
and diplomatic expertise. Finally, I redacted a report in which I addressed
the aforementioned issues and proposed recommendations for the governments involved
and the international community.
Violence in Manipur:
Following a brutal killing of a young woman in the North East state of Manipur,
the population, once again rose against the controversial Armed Forces Special
Powers Act (AFSPA) that empowers the military stationed in the region to bypass
civil rights in the name of security. The region, for decades torn by internal
conflict and guerrilla liberation movements, finds itself in the grip of great
violence perpetrated by both military and revolutionary forces. After the July
killing of the young woman on the hands of the military, the civilian population
rose in indignation demanding the repeal of the AFSPA. My report investigated
the historical causes of the conflict in the region, providing an analysis of
the unfolding of both revolutionary and military presence in the region.
A section of the report was dedicated to the victims of human rights abuses.
I compiled cases of some of the most recent cases documented by several NGOs
active in the state. Finally, I proposed recommendations on actions to take
to solve the difficult situation.
Accomplishments:
SAHRDC is a small organization thus working closely with the staff was a very
rewarding experience. Because the staff heavily relies on the work performed
by the interns, I was able to research and author reports and briefs that were
used by the staff and executive director as information source for his interaction
with other entities such as governmental and non-governmental institutions.
Furthermore, the reports by me compiled were incorporated within larger reports,
already under works when I joined SAHRDC.
Being able to work at SAHRDC provided me with a unique opportunity to interact
with like-minded individuals with whom I collaborated on several minor projects.
Supervision and mentorship of the staff was balanced though by the freedom I
provided with to carry out projects I was assigned. By being granted the opportunity
to work on individual projects I was provided the unique chance of developing
a report from the beginning research till its final stages which allowed me
to prove my skills in communicating the difficult issues that I was dealing
with.
Challenges:
Upon my arrival to India the staff and the more experienced interns provided
me with great support and helped me in learning to deal with the frequent power
shortages that threatened, on a daily basis, our work at the office.
The challenges I faced were principally of practical nature. Accessing information,
for example, was one of such challenges. While the Internet provided many resources
for fact finding and even though our office was well equipped with newspapers,
reports, and other sources of information, accessing information outside the
office was very difficult. The libraries that contained important information
relevant to our research, particularly on legal provisions, were hard to access
and required special permission. The latter fact prevented me from spending
additional time, outside office hours, to collect more data. This often meant
that I could not make up for the time lost due to power outages during regular
office hours.
Other projects/works started or completed:
One of the last projects I worked on was the Information Technology Act of 2000
and the implications of the latter on protection of privacy of Internet users.
The project was actually started by a previous intern few years ago. I researched
the topic and compiled background information dealing with the newest considerations
of the act.
Personal Essay Section:
Q How has the fellowship changed the ideas and expectations you had before leaving?
The research work performed while at SAHRDC educated me on the great challenges
that the region faces in terms of protection and promotion of human rights.
At the Centre I learned that signing a treaty or passing laws does not guarantee
protection of human rights. In fact the inconsistent implementation of legal
provision is responsible in South Asia for inadequate protection of individual
and collective rights. Despite earlier expectations and faith in governmental
structures designed to protect human rights, I learned that at times, the work
of such structures (i.e. Indian National Human Rights Commission) is obstructed
by the very body that created it.
Additionally, being an intern at SAHRDC provided me with the unique opportunity
to develop and carry out projects, from the beginning to the end, allowing me
to acquire expertise in the process of report writing. Such an opportunity provided
me with an unprecedented chance of contributing to the role performed by the
Centre. It was wonderful and unexpected to be given such great responsibility.
Q Has your motivation for human rights work changed/altered or remained the
same?
My motivation to do human rights work intensified and my commitment to human
rights activism strengthened. Working at SAHRDC was paramount for my new understanding
of the role I want to play as advocate for human rights. In fact, working in
the unique environment of the Centre I learned from staff and fellow colleagues
that one’s commitment to human rights work must not limit itself to the
time spent in the office but rather should extend to the lives we lead outside
of the work environment. Working in India provided me with the chance of learning
about human rights protection from the research I did but also allowed me to
witness directly the effects of unfulfilled promises of human rights. The combination
of the two experiences were a daily reminder of the responsibility I have, as
a human being, to actively seek the implementation of rights that elude consistent
sectors of society
Q Who had the greatest effect on you during your fellowship experience and why?
During the internship, Mr. Ravi Nair was the person that had the greatest effect
on me. His kind words, the strength and enthusiasm he exhibited continue being
an inspiration for my advocacy in the field of human rights. He often talked
to us about his activism; the stories he told were inspiring and eye-opening
because we learned from him on how to be effective in our advocacy for human
rights.
Every week we had staff meetings during which we briefed each other about the
progress of our work. Ravi made us feel as part of the staff, playing a vital
role in the functioning of the Centre. At the same time though he treated us
like part of a big family. He invited us to his house and provided us advice
on travel and sightseeing in New Delhi.
Q How did your perspectives on the world change from interning at a local national/international
human rights organization?
Before interning at SAHRDC I was knowledgeable about international human rights
issues yet I was lacking the international experience that could connect my
knowledge to reality. Traveling to India provided me with such a new perspective.
I understood the degree of interconnectedness of the world we live in but at
the same time I understood that many are not so fortunate to experience the
benefits of living in the “global village”. Visiting the rural areas
of Madhya Pradesh or those surrounding New Delhi, I realized that many live
without the ability to voice their concerns, without the chance to go to school
and become knowledgeable about their fundamental rights.
The awareness of such duality of our modern world was a sobering experience.
It made me realize that I ought to try harder, every day, to bring the benefits
of knowledge I gain through my work to empower those who have limited access
to sources of information.
Q How do you anticipate bringing your fellowship experience back home to your
local community?
As soon as I returned from India I engaged in many different activities during
which I shared my experience of working in India. For example, during Passport
to the World, the annual international celebration held on November 16, 2004,
I exhibited photographs from my trip at the booth of the student organization
called Students for Free Tibet. I shared with the audience images taken in Dharmsala,
India, home of a large Tibetan community in exile. The photographs depicted
scenes of everyday life of the Tibetan community but also told the story of
the military occupation of Tibet (the latter came from the Namgyal Monastery
Museum). Through the images and the literature collected at the headquarters
of the Tibetan Government in Exile I was able to educate the public about the
plight for freedom of the Tibetan community in exile and the repressive regime
that the inhabitants of Tibet have to endure.
I also collaborated with the university newspaper, The Chronicle to inspire
students to seek opportunities to fund their work in the field of social activism
by applying for fellowships such as the Upper Midwest Human Rights
Fellowship. By describing the transformative power of my internship in India
I hope I motivated the students to fulfill their dreams.
Finally, during my interview with the University Media I spoke about my fellowship,
my work and the lessons learnt while in India as being a great inspiration for
my future work. The resulting article was posted on the SCSU website.
Organizational Profile:
Name of the Organization: South Asia Human Rights Documentation Centre
Organization Address: B 6/6 Safdarjung enclave Extension, New Delhi, India
Telephone Number: 0091 11 2619 1120/2717/2706
E-mail: [email protected]
Website information: http://www.hri.ca/partners/sahrdc//
Names of Executive Director: Mr. Ravi Nair
Number of Employed Staff :(7 Full Time)
Number of Volunteers: (10 plus) Depending on the time of the year, the intern
and volunteer intake varies
Objective of the organization:
“to investigate, document and disseminate information about human rights
treaties and conventions, human rights education, refugees, media freedom, prison
reforms, political imprisonment, torture, summary executions, disappearances
and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment”.
Domestic/International Programs: projects in collaboration with the UNHCHR,
collaboration with other non-profit organizations in South Asia and worldwide.
Date of information: December 10, 2004
Information supplied by: Adriana U. Dobrzycka