CRY, THE BELOVED COUNTRY: Reflections on the Gujarat massacre
Harsh Mander | 20.03.2002 17:41
I enclose a horrifying and deeply disturbing report by Harsh Mander, after his recent visit to Gujarat after the riots, forwarded to me by the writer and social activist Dilip D'Souza. Please read it, and forward it to other friends and colleagues, as you see fit.
Harsh Mander
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If this is a Man
21.03.2002 11:12
Robin
robin le mare
e-mail:
robinl@actionaid.org.uk
Satan's World
21.03.2002 12:35
Minions
What a Shame to Civilisation
28.03.2002 19:09
What is surprising, in my opinion, is the fact that the leaders who ought to be defending the defenceless-children, the aged, the weak and the sick- turn a blind eye and by their actions or inactions actually perpetrate and participate or indeed, become party to these crimes against humanity themselves.
2000 years ago someone said in the good old book that “ Do not be surprised when you see government oppress the poor and deny them justice and their rights” Ecclesiastes 5:8. How true this is even today. But perhaps the world is even sicker now than ever before. And what is worst is that no one is standing up for the truth like the great leaders of the past did. The question then is what can be done?
First, I think the staring point is what Harsh has done-to expose the atrocities. But beyond exposing these crimes and all forms of injustice, those responsible must be named, shamed and brought to swift justice. I see a role for “civil society” and all peace loving people on the face of the earth in this regard. We must hold Governments and leaders responsible in situations of the type described by Harsh. After all, no leader –in my opinion- is fit to lead once they loose their own sense of humanness. As one of the world’s greatest leaders, Nelson Mandela once remarked “You can never be human if you are not humane to others. Peace lovers must stand up for the voiceless otherwise the dream of world peace and harmony will forever remain distant. What a shame to civilisation.
Charles Owusu
e-mail:
Cowusu@actionaid.org.uk