Resolutions adopted at the Second
General Conference of INSAF
Vancouver, August 12, 2001
1. On the Erosion of Secularism and Democracy in India
The rise of Sangh Parivar in to a significant force poses a serious threat to all democratic institutions in India and to its vibrant composite culture. BJP-led government and different organizations (RSS, VHP, Shiv Sena, Bajrang Dal and so on) controlled by Sangh Parivar systematically terrorize religious minorities and vulnerable sections of the society and undermine the secular democratic aspirations of the people. There is a systematic attempt to control educational institutions, alter textbooks and history and take over cultural institutions in order to strengthen Hindutva ideology and culture.
Recognizing the grave danger posed by the rise of Hindutva, the Second Conference of INSAF demands that the Government of India:
- Put immediate stop to all anti-minority and anti-people activities of the Sangh Parivar;
- Ensure that textbooks and history not be altered to suit Hindutva ideology;
- Decree that a Mandir not be constructed at the site of the demolished Babri Mosque; and,
- Fully respect secularism, the founding principle of the Indian Constitution, as the guideline at all levels of governance
2. On Liberalization and Globalization
A decade of experience clearly demonstrates that liberalization
and globalization have led to increased privatization of public
assets, pauperization of the working people, degradation of
environment, penetration of foreign multinationals into the
national economy, patenting of traditional technology and foods
and destruction of small and medium-sized production units;
as well, it has led to an increase in the consumer middle class
sympathetic to imperialism and fundamentalism, and a compromise
of the national sovereignties of our countries. Recognizing
the serious threat to economic, political, social and cultural
life of the people of South Asia, the Second Conference of INSAF
demands:
- An immediate end to (a) disinvestments of public enterprises
and (b) take over of the economy of South Asian countries by
foreign capital and multinationals;
- Reaffirmation of the policy of self reliance based on a policy
of solidarity, cooperation and friendship amongst each other
and with other developing countries;
- That the sovereignty of South Asian countries not be compromised;
- That countries of South Asia follow an economic policy in
the interest of the working masses and not the imperialists
or the elite of our countries; and,
- That India desist from developing military and intelligence
ties with Israel.
3. On militarization and nuclearization
Five decades of conflict between India and Pakistan has led to uninterrupted increase in militarization to the extent of acquiring nuclear weapons and delivery system and a significant increase in armed forces in both countries. This has resulted in marked decrease in public services, worsening of the living condition of the people, increase in national chauvinism and jingoism leading to a strengthening the hold of Hindutva forces in India and Jehadi groups in Pakistan, worsening of the atmosphere for peaceful resolution of outstanding problems between the two countries as exemplified by the failure of the July 2001 Agra Summit between the Prime Minister of India and the President of Pakistan, and an increase in the influence in the region of imperialist powers, especially the U.S.
Recognizing the grave threat posed by the acquisition of nuclear arsenal by India and Pakistan and the militaristic stand off between the two countries, which undermine aspirations of the people of both countries for peace and harmony, the Second Conference of INSAF demands that India and Pakistan:
- Immediately engage in talks on nuclear risk reduction measures, end their covert wars and stop using terror against each other;
- Immediately end their senseless and costly battle on the Siachen Glacier;
- Start a process of reduction in military personnel and spending and treat all countries of the region as equal and worthy of mutual respect; and,
- Create favorable conditions for people’s initiatives for peace and friendship among each other.
Recognizing the important role of the large South Asian Diaspora in the implementation of the policies of the two countries, this Conference further resolves:
To promote friendly interaction and dialogue among the Diaspora community in order to strengthen mutual trust so that they can play an active role in the emergence of a peaceful and prosperous South Asia, which can make a significant contribution to developing countries and world peace.
4. On Kashmir
For the past five decades, the states of India and Pakistan, in the name of defending national security and territorial claims, have been holding the people of the former princely state of Jammu and Kashmir (hereafter Kashmir) under virtual colonial subjugation. This dispute over the territory of Kashmir has caused three wars and several border clashes including the last major one in Kargil, killed thousands of Kashmiris, displaced hundreds of thousands, damaged the environment and has virtually destroyed the very core of the Kashmiri society through permanent division of thousands of Kashmiri families on the two sides of the Line of Control (LoC). The dispute over Kashmir has also been a factor in nuclearization of the subcontinent. Recognizing these realities, the Second Conference of INSAF:
- Calls upon the governments of India and Pakistan to recognize that Kashmir is not a territorial dispute to be settled by the two states but concerns the lives and aspirations of the Kashmiri people;
- Asserts that the Kashmir dispute cannot be resolved without the participation of the people of Kashmir from all regions;
- Demands an immediate end to violation of human rights;
- Opposes division of Kashmir into different states; and,
- Demands that the governments of India and Pakistan declare an immediate cease fire in the valley, withdraw all their armed forces, end all support to non-state combatants and initiate dialogue with representatives of the Kashmir people from both sides of the LoC in order to solve the Kashmir problem in accordance with the wishes of the people of Kashmir.
6. On Minorities
Ethnic, cultural, religious and linguistic diversities are unique historical features of South Asian countries; this rich pluralistic heritage has come under severe attack by the undemocratic actions of different governments of the region. The Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government has intensified attack on Muslim and Christian while there is no let down on attack on Dalits. The persecutions of Shias, Ahmadis, Hindus, Christians and other minorities in an attempt to establish a Sunni state continues in Pakistan and charges of blasphemy are frequently used to persecute innocent members of minority communities, The failure of the Sri Lanka government to resolve the ethnic conflict and of Bangladesh government to meet the demand of indigenous people and Hindus are distressing aspects of the state of affairs in South Asia. Sexual minority is subjected to harassment in all countries of the region. Vested interests are busy mobilizing the South Asian Diaspora to support their antidemocratic policies.
Recognizing the persistence of wide-scale persecution of minorities in different South Asian countries, the Second Conference of INSAF resolves that:
- South Asian governments immediately end persecutions of religious, linguistic, ethnic, cultural, national and sexual minorities, and accord them the same cultural, legal, economic and political rights as enjoyed by the majority community;
- Pakistan government abrogate the Blasphemy Law;
- All government institutions recognize the contributions of minorities to the vitality and richness of South Asian countries; and,
- South Asian governments provide all facilities to members of the minority communities so that they can participate at all levels of governance as well as strengthen their social, political, linguistic and cultural institutions.
6. On the Dalit Situation
Dalits, who constitute nearly 20% of the Indian population have significantly contributed towards the growth of South Asian society and yet have been socially, culturally and politically persecuted throughout and continue to remain targets of state persecution, feudal terror and social scorn. The rent murder of the Parliamentarian Phoolan Devi is a glaring example of the political vendetta against the Dalits in India and elsewhere. In order to recognize the rightful place of Dalits in South Asia, in particular in India and Nepal, and support their struggles for dignity and social justice, the Second Conference of INSAF:
- Condemns the cowardly murder of Phoolan Devi, a valiant fighter
against caste and gender injustices, and demands that the culprits
be brought to justice;
- Demands that India support the efforts of UN bodies to study
the impact of caste-based system in South Asian societies;
- Demands that India implement the Constitutional Provisions
for SC/ST (Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes) fully in the shortest
period of time and empower the Commissioner for SC/ST to protect
and promote the human rights of Dalits;
- Opposes the stand of the Indian government against inclusion
of Dalit and caste issue on the agenda of the August 2001 UN
Conference on racism in Durban; and,
- Demands that India implement all existing recommendations
of the UN bodies which impact the lives of the Dalit people
(India Report CERD/C/304/Add. 13, 17 Sept, 1996; CCPR/C79/add
81, Aug 4, 1997).
7. On the Sri Lanka Civil War
The unresolved ethnic issue in Sri Lanka, which escalated into
armed confrontation and civil war since the early 1980s, has
resulted in 60.000 deaths and displacement of hundreds of thousands
people. The escalation of the conflict was largely due to the
erosion of democracy in the country and inappropriate constitutional
provisions for minority rights and protection in the context
of the plural character of Sri Lanka society.
Recognizing the agonizing consequences of the civil war and
accompanying militarization for the people of Sri Lanka, the
Second Conference of INSAF calls upon:
- The Government of Sri Lanka and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) who are the parties to the civil war to enter into negotiations and work towards a political and peaceful settlement of the conflict;
- The Government of Sri Lanka and the LTTE to declare an immediate ceasefire to the civil war;
- The Sri Lanka Government to lift the economic embargo on the war zones to alleviate the sufferings of the people in such zones; and
- The Government of Sri Lanka and LTTE to ensure that no human rights violations occur in the territories under their control.
8. On the Amendment of the Bangladesh Constitution
Although the recent amendment of the Bangladesh Constitution, which requires that the government in power be replaced by a caretaker government 90 days prior to the next election in a positive move towards ensuring fair elections, important issues concerning indigenous people, minorities and economy remain unresolved. Therefore, the Second Conference of INSAF demands:
- That the Government of Bangladesh address the demands of the indigenous people as well as of cultural and religious minorities;
- That the assurance given to Chakma people to return their land be implemented without delay, and the 1997 Chittagong Peace Accord be respected.
9. On Nepal
Nepal is a multi-ethnic and multi-lingual country. Although it had maintained a partial sovereignty during the era of colonial rule in the sub-continent, it’s people were ruled by the high caste Hindus led by the autocratic monarchy and the oligarchic Ranas. Eventually, the absolute monarchy was brought to its knee by the Jan-Andolan (people’s movement) in 1990 and the constitution was promulgated that ensured the establishment of the parliamentary democratic system. Accordingly, elections were held and the government formed. That was a very positive development. However, the successive governments since then mainly led by the Nepali Congress Party, have failed to fulfill their obligations to serve the majority of the citizens, most of whom live in abject poverty. Moreover, the rampant corruption in high places continues, and so do the discriminatory practices against Dalits, women and ethnic groups (who form the majority). No effective steps have been taken against the trafficking of women to Indian metropolis and other countries. In addition, the government’s handling of the six year old "peoples’ war" movement as "terrorists" and attempting to suppress it through violent means have turned the rural Nepal into killing fields. As a result, the public fear has taken over the land and the country is on the verge of collapse. Therefore, the Second Conference of INSAF calls on the government of Nepal:
- Carry through the proposed talks with the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) with utmost urgency, and arrive at a negotiated settlement;
- Repeal the draconian Public Security Act immediately; and
- Take up the democratic obligations and serve the interests of the majority of the people who work on the land.
10. On Bhutan
Since 1988, the Ngalong regime ( which represents less than 20 percent of the population) has been carrying out policies of ethnic cleansing of sections of population, particularly the Lhotshampa ( Nepali speaking minority in the south). Consequently, over 100,000 Bhutanis of Nepali origin have been living in refugee camps in eastern Nepal. Therefore, the Second Conference of INSAF calls upon the Government of Bhutan to:
- Respect the articles in the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights, to which Bhutan is a signatory and cease persecution of Lhotshampa people; and,
Grant ethnic population the right to return to their homeland and their due
rights to citizenship of Bhutan.
11. On Women’s Rights
While the lives of women in South have improved in certain ways, largely due to struggles by women’s and progressive organizations, their/our basic democratic rights are far from being realized.
In order to address this need and link related issues in South Asia and North America, BE IT RESOLVED to facilitate the women’s and gender dimensions of INSAF work by holding a conference a year from now to identify and develop our work on many inter-related aspects as South Asians in North America, e.g. patriarchy and tradition, violence against women, patriarchy and religious fundamentalism, gender discrimination in property rights, gender identity, militarism and war, racism, refugee populations, childcare, trafficking (sex and human), income security, neo-liberal economic policies, living conditions of immigrant women, etc.
To facilitate our work we further resolve to have a link on the INSAF web site
