People's Democracy

on file

A NEW Amnesty International report titled “India: Justice – the Victim in Gujarat” alleges that the state “fails to protect women from violence” and examines how state officials claimed the Godhra train fire on February 27, 2002 was planned and caused by Muslims. Amnesty has pointed out that this report was shared with the central and state governments prior to publication and reflects their comments.

The AI release states, “It took no steps to prevent or stop the attacks by Hindu mobs on members of the Muslim minority. Indeed, many officials were seen to participate. In many cases, these human rights abuses constitute crimes against humanity. The central government (led by the BJP till May 2004) failed to censure the Gujarat government during and after the violence. Now both governments must take effective steps to bring justice, truth and reparations to the victims.”

Criticising the state government, it states: “The state grossly failed to protect Muslims. The fact that it still refuses to admit its failings and express regret is further insult to the victims.”

“Little has been done to prevent such violence happening again”, the report said.

--- Hindustan Times, January 28

WEEKS before Mr Lalu Prasad presents the railway budget, the World Bank has recommended to the centre an increase in passenger fares and reduction in freight charges.

In a presentation where officials from the PMO, finance ministry and Planning Commission were present, the bank made a number of points, all of which point towards a hard railway budget….

Some of the other suggestions of the World Bank are:

• Eliminate loss-making services and lines and use the real estate (the railways is one of the largest owners of land) for income generation.

• Privatise major areas, including dedicated freight lines and container corridors.  

• Decide, once and for all, whether the railways is a commercial organisation or it has social obligations.

• Make only financially viable investments and cut down projects sanctioned for political reasons.

--- The Statesman, January 28

IN a setback to the Bush administration, a federal judge has ruled that prisoners in Guantanamo Bay have legal rights and can challenge both their confinement and procedures in military tribunals as unconstitutional. The District Court Judge, Joyce Hens Green, said the suspects had constitutional protection under American law…….

Following the invasion of Afghanistan in 2001 and operations elsewhere, more than 540 suspects were held at the Guantanamo base as suspects in the war on terrorism. They have been classified as Al-Qaeda and Taliban fighters. The Bush administration argued that they had no constitutional right and therefore the law suits – in this instance pertaining to only 50 detainees – had to be dismissed.

But Judge Green said the procedures used for the tribunals were “unconstitutional” as they failed to conform with the requirements of due legal process. The judge said detainees had not been given material evidence and the government had failed to disclose classified information.

--- The Hindu, February 1