High Court directs setting up of juvenile courts

SICHREM has been carrying out a campaign that juvenile justice boards should be brought under the administration of the judiciary and not under the department of women and child. We are happy that the High Court of Karnataka ordered the establishing of special courts for the trial of those who are accused of offences against children. Here is an article that appeared in the Deccan Herald.

Mr Mathews Philip, Executive Director of SICHREM addressing the participants of human rights training in Ecumenical Christian Centre

Mr Mathews Philip, Executive Director of SICHREM addressing the participants of human rights training in Ecumenical Christian Centre, white field on 26th May 2011.

 

Vacancy for the post of Executive Secretary at SICHREM

Para-legal clinic on Mysore Road

The paralegal training orgnised by SICHREM in collaboration with Women Health and Development (WHAD) at Nayandahalli,Mysore Road on 18^th May 2011, saw more than 20 participants.

Ms Margaret from SICHREM offering legal advice to the participants at the legal clinic.

Participants at the paralegal clinic held in Nayandahalli.

Participants at the paralegal clinic held in Nayandahalli.

CLP Bangalore in collaboration with SICHREM and Students Christian Movement organise “PRATIBE”

“Pratibhe” – a two day summer camp

A two day Summer Camp ‘PRATIBHE’ was organised by Trust for Youth and Child Leaders – Bangalore (TYCL-B) in collaboration with SICHREM and Student Christian Movement of India (SCMI) on 14^th and 15^th May. Pratibhe had thirty seven children participants from KS Garden Slum, which included both girls and boys. Eight mentors too participated in the camp held at SCMI house on Mission Road.

A ‘byte’ from Background

Pratibhe, a first of its kind initiative taken by TYCL in Bangalore, was organised when the schools were closed for summer holidays. The motive behind Pratibhe was to provide an atmosphere for children to think while learning more about social concern, beyond school curriculum. The target age group of children in Pratibhe was 10 to 14 years. A week before the camp TYCL mentors went to each house in KS Garden Slum to identify the age group of children who could be part of the event. The response, to invitation for Pratibhe, from parents and children was exemplary on location. So TYCL mentors have to increase the number of participants from twenty children to thirty seven children. Here it became mandatory for me to convey regards to Manohar Rangnathan Sir (SICHREM) for his mentorship role.

PRATIBHE

The camp started at 10:30am with John Paul giving introduction to the children for Pratibhe. He set certain Do’s and Don’ts to be followed by children, to ensure their safety. Then Shiva Stone took the proceedings and divided children into team of two. Now each child has to introduce his partner’s education, likes, family and leaders. After introduction, all children were divided into two teams, A and B, for another activity ‘clapping competition’. The activity provides opportunity to learn coordination and trust among children while performing as a group. Finally after seven rounds and a thrilling tie breaker Team B won due to better coordination.

After a short break children were asked to draw pictures of leaders (their understanding of leader). The activity was done to make children realise certain aspects of leadership. As how do they visualise a leader, who is leader, the importance of a becoming a leader and how to become one…!! Various answers were cheered, as names/drawings of actors and independence struggle personalities came up as an answer for leader.

After intellectual session from Shiva, Murali Reddy took over next session for children, after drinks break, Game Time. Toughest day in the office for all the mentors to make sure Game Time remains limited to Err…games.

After lunch Manohar came to participate in the camp and five groups were formed containing twenty six children were selected for the next day. Further Shiva and Manohar continued addressing to children qualities a leader should possess. Shiva shared his experiences from Pondicherry and Chennai. Manohar told children about power of unity and sharing, with relative common examples. Now leaders from different groups came voluntarily to provide suggestions for next day activities and promised ‘Galata Free’ upcoming sessions. In the end of the day one, mentors left all the children to their respective homes.

The second day of camp became more interactive and fun as Shiva started with a game ‘PING n PONG’. Next a group activity was conducted to involve all kids and mentors. Five groups were assigned a task, with mentor for each group, to identify the problems they are facing in the community they are living and what change they want to eliminate them. Children response for the session was really good, and came in form of drawings and writing issues in points what they have encountered. After the juice break, children gave presentations representing their group. The problems covered scarcity of water, power cut, street light not working, lack of sewage facilities and public toilets, noise pollution, lack of interest from BBMP in cleaning vicinity, alcoholics, smokers, child labour, robbery, fee issues, street dogs, improper houses, child marriage etc.

Solutions too were suggested by children as making a complaint to Area Councillor or to MLA, contacting police in case of robbery or violence, to save water close the tap or fix leaking, conduct a peaceful protest for basic rights from water to clean environment etc.

After lunch, Children gathered in one big circle, where an opportunity was given to them to draw on the White Board, with the help of given circle as the base diagram. And with those diagrams mentors build up a story. Soon the white board was filled with cartoons, sun, cowboy, car, ball, sun-flower, faces and then I lost the count.

At the end for the day two and completion of camp, Children were made to close their eyes. And to reflect on themselves, that what they have learned about issues from activities in last two days. Couple of children volunteered to share their experience. Jeeva said “with these solutions, will maintain our area”. Aishwarya said (blushing) “I enjoyed the games, events and food”. Mentors mentioned and requested to all the children in camp to participate in all future activities of TYCL conducted every 2^nd and 4^th Sunday at KS Garden Slum in YMCA School.

Special thanks to people who made it possible:

Manohar Ranganathan (SICHREM), A.Vinolin Caleb (SCMI), Godfree (SCMI)

TYCL Family – John Paul (INSA), Shiva Stone, Murali Reddy, Azeem, Rajesh, Aishwarya, Gerlyn, Nikhil Manohar and Sam…

– Vaseem Chaudhary (TYCL)

One of the many activities in the camp. Here a girl tries her hand on a flower aidst other designs.

Children interacting with Manohar R from SICHREM in the CLP camp.

The children at the CLP camp.

The children at the CLP camp.

PIL filed in the interest of abholishing child labour

The petitioner in this case is Mr Mathews Philip (Executive Director of SICHREM and Convener of the Campaign Against Child Labour -Karnataka Advocacy Unit). Below is the copy of the report which ‘The Hindu’carried on April 14, 2011.

CACL protest against DELAY in setting RTE rules

The protest led under the banner of CACL towards the delay in setting rules for the RTE by the government was significant. A sit-in protest in front of the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) on Nrupathunga Road, attracted a fair strength of supporters of the RTE who made their presence felt.

The protest was a success and we hope to yield positive results in the interests of all children, especially those children who are denied the right to education because of several hurdles.

The press were present. Click here to see the report which came out in The Hindu.

SICHREM is the advocacy unit for CACL – Karnataka.

Below are a few pictures of the day.

Representatives of CACL - K submitting the rules to be notified to the SSA officials.

Sitting outside the SSA office.

One of the placards.

Shouting of slogans continue outside the SSA office.

Some more placards.

Mr Mathews (Convener Convenor – Advocacy Unit Campaign Against Child Labour –Karnataka)addresses the media.

Mr Nagasimha .G.Rao (Convenor – Bangalore Chapter Campaign Against Child Labour) addresses the media.

Mr KC Venkatesh speaking to the gathering.

Mr P Lakshapathy (Core Committee Member - CACL - K) addressing the gathering.

SSA officials interacting with CACL office bearers.

CACL office bearers interacting with SSA officials.

The Campaign Against Child Labour – CACL protest the delay in notifying the rules for the Right of Children to Free & Compulsory Education Act 2009; BRING YOUR FRIENDS TOO!!

The Right to Education Act should have come into application, since 1^st April, 2010.  It is a serious matter that a year has passed and the Department of Public Instruction has failed in notifying the rules. If notified, this law can be enforced at least from this academic year. The primary schools have already started the admissions in the schools. There are incidences already being reported about primary schools continuing to violate the provisions of this law. CACL seriously suspects that the Department is aligning with the private school lobby to delay the enforcement of this Act.

CACL has filed comments & suggestions on the draft rules with the SSA and there has been no response to our appeals and letters on the status of the same. The finalized draft rules are not placed yet for public scrutiny. This unreasonable delay by the Department amounts to violation of the UN Convection on The Rights of the Child (UNCRC), ratified by the Government of India. Article 28 & 29 of the Conventions provide for Quality Primary Education without any discrimination to any child. The Right to Education Act passed by the Indian Parliament gives an opportunity to make this right a reality at least to some extent to our children. We regret to say that the Education Department of Karnataka does not want to give the opportunity and hence are delaying the notification of the draft rules.

Against this back ground, CACL –K is forced to organize a Protest in front of the offices of Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA), Nrupathunga Road on 12th May 2011 from 11 to 1 Pm.

We demand the Government not to level any kind of lame reasons to postpone the implementation of the RTE. Anymore delay will call for intensifying our stir throughout the State.

We earnestly request you to take part in the protest, so that our children will enjoy  protection under RTE in the State of Karnataka.

Nagasimha .G.Rao                                                      

Convenor – Bangalore Chapter                                                                                        

Campaign Against Child Labour              

Mathews Philip

Convenor – Advocacy Unit

Campaign Against Child Labour –Karnataka

Independent People’s Tribunal (IPT) on the 7th of May 2011, Bangalore

Human Rights Law Network along with various Human Rights organisations, activists, and civil liberty movements like People’s Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL), South India Cell for Human Rights Education & Monitoring (SICHREM), Karavali Ale, People’s Democratic Forum (PDF), Karnataka Dalit Mahila Vedike (KDMV),  National Dalit Movement for Justice (NDMJ), Mangalore Secular Forum, National Confederation of Human Rights Organization (NCHRO), Stree Jagruti Samiti, etc are organizing an Independent People’s Tribunal (IPT) on the 7th of May 2011

from 9:30 AM onwards at ISI, on the functioning of the Karnataka State Human Rights Commission (KSHRC) in Karnataka. 

The objective of the IPT is to streamline and strengthen the National and State Human Rights Commissions to function as effective, efficient, transparent and accountable institutions that address human rights violations. The IPT would be a panel of prominent judges, social activists, academicians and advocates, in front of whom the people or the victims of injustice would come forward and provide the necessary testimonies of their complaints. The jury will give their recommendations for KSHRC to function better so that ultimately the human rights violations in the state come to an end. Your participation will help the jury in fulfilling this objective and safeguard the human rights of the people.

Jury Panel:

Sri A. K. Subbiah, Advocate, Karnataka High Court 

Mr. Y. Mariswamy (Retd) IPS officer

Smt. Lalitha Nayak, Former minister

Brig. Murali Narayana Murthy (Retd)

Smt. Hemalatha Mahishi, Advocate, Karnataka High court

Venue:  Indian Social Institute

24, Benson Road,

Bangalore 560046

Tel: (080) 23536189 / 23536960

Please do also bring your friends!

SICHREM’s para-legal clinics that took place at Cauvery Nagar on 28th April and Tannery Road on 27th April, 2011.

50 people were present at the paralegal training organized by SICHREM in collaboration with Dhaksha Samuha & CFAR at Cauvery Nagar on 28^th April 2011.  Adv Manohar delivered awareness on women’s rights, property rights, FIR and arrest warrant. A lot of discussion was there. The participation was a good.

Our Para-Legal Clinic at Cauvery Nagar.

Adv Manohar interacting with the people from Cauvery Nagar.

Adv Manohar talking about awareness of women’s rights, property rights, FIR and arrest warrant.

SICHREM’s second para-legal clinic for the month took place at Tannery Road with Women Health and Development on 27^th April 2011. About 20 participants were there; most of them being teachers. Adv Margaret handled sessions on women’s rights and child rights. Adv Manohar spoke regarding police arrests and FIRs.

Our Para-Legal Clinic at Tannery Road.

Adv Margaret talking about Women and Child Rights.

The women interacting with each other during the Para-Legal Clinic on Tannery Road.

Adv Manohar talking about arrest warrants and FIRs.