Women's Empowerment and Leadership Development for Democratisation
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India: Stand in solidarity with the women of Gujarat on 8th March
Urgent call for action.
As you are probably planning
activities around International Women’s Day, 8th March, WLUML strongly urges you
to refocus international attention, protests and solidarity on the ongoing
genocidal process taking place in the Indian state of Gujarat since late
February 2002.
The last year has been characterized by countless
instances of continuing violence and pressure against the Muslim community,
especially women. In the meantime, the Sangh Parivar (a network of extreme right
Hindu supremacist organisations) pursues its Hindutva agenda with the support of
state authorities. They are denying that atrocities took place, rewarding
perpetrators and obstructing any attempt to secure justice.
activities around International Women’s Day, 8th March, WLUML strongly urges you
to refocus international attention, protests and solidarity on the ongoing
genocidal process taking place in the Indian state of Gujarat since late
February 2002.
The last year has been characterized by countless
instances of continuing violence and pressure against the Muslim community,
especially women. In the meantime, the Sangh Parivar (a network of extreme right
Hindu supremacist organisations) pursues its Hindutva agenda with the support of
state authorities. They are denying that atrocities took place, rewarding
perpetrators and obstructing any attempt to secure justice.
In Gujarat,
as in many other conflict situations, women have been targeted as members of the
'other' community, as symbols of the community's honour and as the ones who
sustain the community and reproduce the next generation. This has become an all
too common aspect of larger political projects of genocide, crimes against
humanity and subjugation. In Gujarat, sexual violence against Muslim women as
well as against women in inter-religious marriages is central to the organized
political project of Hindutva.
Because the 8th of March marks 12 months
since the pogroms against the Muslim community began in Gujarat, WLUML feels
this is a crucial opportunity for women across the world to demand
accountability for the perpetrators and justice for the survivors. While the
world’s attention is focused on other crises, we should not allow these crimes
against humanity to remain unaddressed. It is also vital to express continuing
solidarity with all those who have suffered and continue to face daily
humiliation and violence. Equally important is to also support those within and
outside the Muslim community who are taking personal risks to provide them
support. Global progressive forces must make their position loud and clear on
the threat posed by the implementation of the Hindutva agenda, the lack of an
appropriate response by mainstream political parties in India, and the shrinking
space allowed for secular voices to be heard. The very existence of minorities
in India is at stake. The current situation is strengthening all extremist
forces in India, including within the Muslim community, as they each seek to
exploit communal and ethnic identities for their own political
gain.
as in many other conflict situations, women have been targeted as members of the
'other' community, as symbols of the community's honour and as the ones who
sustain the community and reproduce the next generation. This has become an all
too common aspect of larger political projects of genocide, crimes against
humanity and subjugation. In Gujarat, sexual violence against Muslim women as
well as against women in inter-religious marriages is central to the organized
political project of Hindutva.
Because the 8th of March marks 12 months
since the pogroms against the Muslim community began in Gujarat, WLUML feels
this is a crucial opportunity for women across the world to demand
accountability for the perpetrators and justice for the survivors. While the
world’s attention is focused on other crises, we should not allow these crimes
against humanity to remain unaddressed. It is also vital to express continuing
solidarity with all those who have suffered and continue to face daily
humiliation and violence. Equally important is to also support those within and
outside the Muslim community who are taking personal risks to provide them
support. Global progressive forces must make their position loud and clear on
the threat posed by the implementation of the Hindutva agenda, the lack of an
appropriate response by mainstream political parties in India, and the shrinking
space allowed for secular voices to be heard. The very existence of minorities
in India is at stake. The current situation is strengthening all extremist
forces in India, including within the Muslim community, as they each seek to
exploit communal and ethnic identities for their own political
gain.