Appointment of the New Executive Director

Congratulations to Ms. Margaret Sampath who has taken over as the New Executive Director of SICHREM from today- 1st June 2020. The SICHREM team wishes her all the very best for her position at SICHREM. We take this opportunity to appreciate her great job and all the hard work that led to her promotion. We know you will do great things in this position, and we cannot wait to see what the future holds for you.

We wish you to bring more positive changes in the lives of the people. Best of luck as you advance in your career.

Mr.Mathews Philip, Executive Director, SICHREM, Bangalore has been elected as the National convener of ‘Campaign Against Child Labour (CACL)’.

Campaign Against Child Labour (CACL)

Mr. Mathews Philip, Executive Director, SICHREM, Bangalore has been elected as the National convener of ‘Campaign Against Child Labour (CACL)’. Launched in 1992,  CACL is the largest network of child rights organisations & individuals, having its chapters in 15 states. The Campaign has more than 3000 members. It’s main objective is total eradication of child labour upto the age of 18 years. CACL believes that making free & compulsory education for children is the most effective strategy to prevent children from getting into labour. Apart from education, lobbying for appropriate legislative measures, taking actions on violations of child rights, documenting & facilitating development of alternative education system, raising general awareness on the issues & taking up advocacy with UN & other international mechanisms are the other strategies used by the campaign towards its objective of making India a Child Labour free country.

Media report- KSHRC ORDER- On Custodial death-dated 27/06/2019.

MEDIA REPORT IN The Hindu dated 27-06-2019, page 5. The same article also published in Deccan Herald pg 3A and Deccan Chronicle pg. 3. Dear Friends, Karnataka State Commission has ordered CID investigation into the death (alleged torture by Jail wardens) of Syed Fairoz (21) who was an under trial prisoner in Parappanna Agrahara Central Jail, Bangalore. Commission also ordered a compensation of Ten Lakhs to the victim’s family. Commission has also ordered strict action against the errant officials. Syed Fairoz S/o Syed Munna who was a resident of DJ halli in Bangalore and was an under trial prisoner died at Victoria hospital on 23- January, 2019. The postmortem report said the death is due to septicemia consequent upon injuries sustained on his body. South Indian Cell for Human Rights Education and Monitoring (SICHREM) is one of the complainants to Karnataka State Human Rights Commission (KSHRC) in this case.

International Day in support of victims of Torture on 26/06/19.

 

On the Occasion of International Day in support of victims of Torture on 26/06/19. SICHREM in association with St.Joseph’s College(Autonomous) organised a Debate on Different means of Torture, the students and the Program officer Prof. Selwyn Paul from the NSS unit-1 actively participated and created awareness on the issue.

Students views on the issue was discussed and the students were in solidarity with the victims of Torture. “ANY MEANS OF TORTURE IS NOT ACCEPTABLE”.

 

Sichrem Team addressing the Media on Torture.

The team from SICHREM, addressed the media on the 25th June, 2019 in solidarity with the victims of Torture. As 26th of June every year is observed as the “International Day in support of victims of Torture”

25th, June, 2019

PRESS STATEMENT

June 26th– World Day in support of Torture Victims

SICHREM calls upon the Govt. of India to ratify the UN Convention Against Torture (CAT)*.

Though India signed this convention on 14th October 1997, it is regretted to note that we have not ratified it till date. We also urge our Parliamentarians to pass the long pending Prevention of Torture Bill, 2017. Though the Law Commission of India in its 273rdReport recommended ratification, the same is not complied with by the Indian Govt.

Though torture has no sanction in the Indian Constitution and Statutes the Indian Police Stations and other custodial Institutions in India turn out to be ‘Torture Chambers’ often. Being in the Police custody is a nightmare for people, especially for those who are poor and not influential politically or economically. Torture is extensively used on political opponents and prisoners of conscience who are in custody. Absence of a specific and stringent law against Torture makes those in uniform impugn to punishment for the crime of torture.

Apart from torture in custodial centres, Sichrem defines Domestic violence and Corporal punishment on children also as Torture. We are in solidarity with those NGOs who intervene in such cases and fighting for justice to those victims.

We call upon the National Human Rights Commission of India to appraise the Govt. Of India, the need to ratify CAT and to pass the Prevention of Torture Bill.

*’The UN Convention Against Torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or Punishment’, was adopted by the UN General Assembly on 10th Dec 1984. This treaty came into force on 26th June 1987. Hence this day is observed as ‘International Day in support of victims of Torture’. India signed this Convention on 14th Oct, 1997 but not ratified yet.

Yours Sincerely

Mathews Philip Margaret Sampath

Executive Director Deputy Director – HRE

9845001338 9342163539

Encl.

1. Text of CAT
2. The Prevention of Torture Bill 2017

Media report dated 26th June 2019 on UdayaVani.

International Day in Support of Victims of Torture-26th June 2019

Module Release at St.Joseph’s Evening College on 22nd June, 2019.

Module Release on Human Rights Education at St. Joseph’s Evening College on 22nd June, 2019. In the Picture- Left to Right Dr. Christopher Hoskins, Dr. Albert Smith, Dr. Fr. Brian Periera, Dr. Kripa Alva, Mr. Koshy Mathew, Ms. Margaret Sampath.

Group Photo- “Convocation Ceremony of the 10th Diploma Awarding Ceremony in Human Rights Studies”

SICHREM in association with St.Joseph’s Evening College, Bangalore, awarded the Diploma for the students of the 10th batch and Inauguration of the 11th batch which was held on the 22nd June, 2019.