Medha Patkar on Hunger Strike
13/04/06 08:45 Filed in: Human
Rights
The
Narmada Dam social justice activisit Medha Patkar is on the 14th day of a hunger strike, having been
arrested by the Indian authorities during a protest against the
raising of the height of the Sardovar Dam in the Narmada
Valley.
Those who attended the FULF Symposium in Kolkata will remember Medha's presentation on human rights and justice action. She was an inspiring and challenging speaker. Her personal and enduring commitment to the struggle for justice for the peoples of the Narmada Valley left a profound impression on us all. It is both consistent with her strong advocacy position that she should now find herself arrested by the Indian authorities and deeply troubling that her health is now imperilled seriously because of her non-violent protests.
People all over the world are deeply concerned. The approach to development that prioritises commercial gain over the rights of local and indigenenous peoples is clearly unjust. There has to be another way. Mehda Patkar is standing in solidarity with the people of the Narmada Valley and giving a powerful witness through the non-violent protest of her hunger-strike. It is time for the Government of India to take note of the voices of people all over the world who are extremely concerned about the evolution of events.
To join the worldwide call for Medha's release check this weblink Friends of the Earth
Those who attended the FULF Symposium in Kolkata will remember Medha's presentation on human rights and justice action. She was an inspiring and challenging speaker. Her personal and enduring commitment to the struggle for justice for the peoples of the Narmada Valley left a profound impression on us all. It is both consistent with her strong advocacy position that she should now find herself arrested by the Indian authorities and deeply troubling that her health is now imperilled seriously because of her non-violent protests.
People all over the world are deeply concerned. The approach to development that prioritises commercial gain over the rights of local and indigenenous peoples is clearly unjust. There has to be another way. Mehda Patkar is standing in solidarity with the people of the Narmada Valley and giving a powerful witness through the non-violent protest of her hunger-strike. It is time for the Government of India to take note of the voices of people all over the world who are extremely concerned about the evolution of events.
To join the worldwide call for Medha's release check this weblink Friends of the Earth
Marist Brothers in Geneva
08/04/06 09:30
:: César Henriques, fms, and Kevin Cawley, cfc in Geneva ::
Brother César Henriques, fms, has been appointed Advocacy Officer for the Marist Brothers Bureau of International Solidarity. A native of El Salvador, César has been working in Guatemala for a number of years. With a background in psychology and counselling, he has been the Director of a pioneering centre that provides a range of services for young people at risk, particularly those who have suffered abuse or exploitation.
The Marist Bureau of International Solidarity coordinates the Marist Brothers social justice outreach worldwide. In many countries NGOs have been established as focal points for social justice activities and services. These NGOs are the public face of the Marist Brothers action for and solidarity with the poor in Spain, Latin America, Asia and Africa. With the establishment of a presence in Geneva, the Marist Brothers will facilitate a link between regional and local social justice initiatives and the human rights mechanisms of the United Nations system.
Brother César has just completed the Advanced Training Course in Human Rights with the International Service for Human Rights. He has participated in meetings involving the Christian Brothers, Presentation Brother and Franciscans International aimed at exploring new possibilities for joint collaboration and global action in promoting and protecting the human rights and working for a more just world for young people.
Meeting with Franciscans International
06/04/06 12:18 Filed in: News
:: Kevin Cawley, Damien Norris, Donal Leader, and Andrew Hickey (Presentation Brothers)
attending meeting with Franciscans International in Geneva ::
On Tuesday, April 4th, the direction of Edmund Rice International assumed a new clarity.
Brother Andrew Hickey, Presentation Brothers, came to Geneva to discuss possibilities for collaboration on a social justice and human rights project. His arrival was intended to coincide with Brother Kevin Cawley's visit to Geneva. A meeting with Franciscans International was organised to explore possibilities. Donal Leader and Damien Norris, both currently participants on the annual International Service for Human Rights (ISHR) course, attended the meeting. Representing Franciscans International was Father John Quigley, OFM, Executive Director of Franciscans International.
The meeting generated a high level of enthusiasm. There was a fundamental agreement that the human rights focus of Geneva offered new possibilities. In the discussion with John Quigley it became clear that an advocacy focus on the rights of the child and on the right to education could shape an effective involvement with the UN system and could establish the basis for a meaningful partnership with Franciscans International, not only in Geneva, but also elsewhere.
Following the meeting with Franciscans, the Edmund Rice Geneva visitors held a separate meeting facilitated by Donal Leader. This session was also attended by Brother Cesar Henriquez of the Marist Brothers. Cesar represents the Marist Brothers Bureau of International Solidarity in Geneva. A consensus emerged that a partnership arrangement facilitated by Franciscans International could provide new opportunities, as well as new challenges, for the Christian Brothers, the Presentation Brothers and the Marist Brothers. A strong sense of solidarity and fraternal commitment was expressed. It was agreed that, while it was too early to presume formal agreement on strategy, a basis for collaboration already exists.
At the conclusion of the meeting it was agreed that reports of the meeting would be circulated to the various congregation leadership groups.
Edmund Rice People visit Geneva
01/04/06 12:18 Filed in: News
For the next week Geneva will be a
hub for Edmund Rice social justice and human rights encounters.
Brother Michael Murray, Province Leader, St. Helen's Province,
Ireland, is currently in Geneva. He and Donal met with Franciscans
International and also had an opportunity for dialogue with Arjun
Sengupta, the Special Rapporteur on Poverty Issues at the United
Nations.Later this week Brothers Kevin Cawley and Andrew Hickey will be joining Donal and Damien in Geneva. A series of meetings with Franciscans International, Save the Children, the Irish Mission to Geneva and the International Service for Human Rights will take place. It is hoped that further progress will be made in charting a strategy for Edmund Rice International and for collaborative action between the Congregation of Christian Brothers and the Congregation of Presentation Brothers in the area of advocacy and social justice.