THE All India Christian Council (AICC) signed an agreement with the Human Rights Law Network (HRLN) to provide free legal intervention for victims of anti-Christian violence and to usher long-term solutions for inter-faith harmony in Gajapati district of Orissa. Kandhamal district was the epicenter for riots from August to October 2008. But Gajapati district had the second largest number of crimes. At least 337 families lost homes or businesses. Most rehabilitation as well as public attention has focused on Kandhamal district. Sam Paul, AICC national secretary of public affairs, said: "We are pleased to help where help is very much needed. HRLN lawyers and social workers have assisted victims in Gajapati district since the unprecedented anti-Christian riots in 2008. We're privileged to strengthen and enhance their ongoing efforts by providing neededresources and using our network of Christian leaders in the area." Most victims are from Scheduled Castes or Scheduled Tribes and extremely poor, a press release from AICC said. Both organisations anticipate the investment in the district will result in more than just favorable court verdicts. "This partnership is unique because our goal is legal intervention that will result in more than just convictions for the perpetrators of crimes. We will help victims replace lost identity documents like ration cards and voter ID cards, apply for government assistance including employment through the Nation Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme, and much more. Our efforts will result in income, independence, and, eventually, improved lives for people in these communities," said Paul.The agreement between aicc and HRLN provides needed equipment and covers fees for legal experts, including lawyers, social workers, and other personnel. The team will offer free legal services including filing of police cases, legal training for lawyers, awareness workshops, publications, and civil society campaigns.An AICC officebearer visited the district from June 10-14, 2009, and verified a recent survey by the Gajapati United Christian Forum (an associate organisation of AICC) which documented the after-effects of violence against Christians: 320 houses damaged, one death, five people injured, 20 churches demolished, and 19 businesses destroyed. These anti-Christian attacks occurred in 22 villages located in three blocks of Gajapati District in August 2008. A separate HRLN survey found over 700 families were affected and 2 to 3 years of legal intervention is needed. According to media reports, initially thousands were displaced and about 800 lived in two government relief camps for several months. While victims have now returned to their villages, the vast majority have not received any compensation promised by the State Government.Friday, July 10, 2009
Orissa violence victims struggle for justice
THE All India Christian Council (AICC) signed an agreement with the Human Rights Law Network (HRLN) to provide free legal intervention for victims of anti-Christian violence and to usher long-term solutions for inter-faith harmony in Gajapati district of Orissa. Kandhamal district was the epicenter for riots from August to October 2008. But Gajapati district had the second largest number of crimes. At least 337 families lost homes or businesses. Most rehabilitation as well as public attention has focused on Kandhamal district. Sam Paul, AICC national secretary of public affairs, said: "We are pleased to help where help is very much needed. HRLN lawyers and social workers have assisted victims in Gajapati district since the unprecedented anti-Christian riots in 2008. We're privileged to strengthen and enhance their ongoing efforts by providing neededresources and using our network of Christian leaders in the area." Most victims are from Scheduled Castes or Scheduled Tribes and extremely poor, a press release from AICC said. Both organisations anticipate the investment in the district will result in more than just favorable court verdicts. "This partnership is unique because our goal is legal intervention that will result in more than just convictions for the perpetrators of crimes. We will help victims replace lost identity documents like ration cards and voter ID cards, apply for government assistance including employment through the Nation Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme, and much more. Our efforts will result in income, independence, and, eventually, improved lives for people in these communities," said Paul.The agreement between aicc and HRLN provides needed equipment and covers fees for legal experts, including lawyers, social workers, and other personnel. The team will offer free legal services including filing of police cases, legal training for lawyers, awareness workshops, publications, and civil society campaigns.An AICC officebearer visited the district from June 10-14, 2009, and verified a recent survey by the Gajapati United Christian Forum (an associate organisation of AICC) which documented the after-effects of violence against Christians: 320 houses damaged, one death, five people injured, 20 churches demolished, and 19 businesses destroyed. These anti-Christian attacks occurred in 22 villages located in three blocks of Gajapati District in August 2008. A separate HRLN survey found over 700 families were affected and 2 to 3 years of legal intervention is needed. According to media reports, initially thousands were displaced and about 800 lived in two government relief camps for several months. While victims have now returned to their villages, the vast majority have not received any compensation promised by the State Government.
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