Letter to the CM, Karnataka regarding the SANGRAM/VAMP issue.

[Guest guest]

Friends,

This is the letter we have written to the CM, Karnataka regarding the

SANGRAM/VAMP issue. In solidarity,

Lawyers Collective HIV/AIDS Unit

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Subject: Human rights abuses suffered by HIV/AIDS NGOs

Shri S M Krishna,

The Chief Minister,

Karnataka

Sir,

We introduce ourselves as an NGO providing legal services to HIV+ people. You

will recall that we had facilitated a meeting between yourself and Justice

Kirby of Australia and Justice Edwin Cameron of South Africa in early

January 2002. We write to you regarding an issue we had discussed at that

meeting -- that of harassment and human rights violations suffered by vulnerable

communities and HIV/AIDS interventions working with them, from the state

machinery. As you have shown personal interest on HIV/AIDS in Karnataka, we urge

you take note of the following and act on the same.

We are deeply shocked at the intimidation, threats and verbal assaults launched

against women activists of the well-known social work organisation, SANGRAM and

of the prostitutes' collective Veshya AIDS Mukabla Parishad (VAMP) by the Circle

Police Inspector of Nippani, Satish S Khot and the Shiv Sena corporator of

Nippani Babasaheb Khambe.

We are personally aware of SANGRAM's work, which has achieved renown worldwide

in the area of AIDS prevention. It's success in its recent initiative to form

prostitutes' collectives under the banner of Veshya AIDS Mukabla Parishad (VAMP)

in seven districts of Western Maharashtra and North Karnataka is acknowledged by

all those connected with HIV/AIDS and prostitution.

However, it has come to our knowledge that for several weeks now, the work of

both organisations, and VAMP in

particular, has been under severe attack by the local politicians. We regret to

learn that the police, who are expected to provide security to ordinary

citizens, have completely abrogated their responsibility and instead, we

reliably learn, threatened to kill, and even rape, Ms Shabana Khazi, the general

secretary of VAMP.

The behaviour of the concerned police inspector and of the local politicians

indicate their mindset and notion that prostitutes are somewhat sub-human,

unworthy of basic dignity and respect due to any human being. These patriarchal

mindsets are unable to accept the fact that women, the world over, have a right

to organise against their oppression.

We earnestly request you to ensure that your government and its functionaries

are not tainted by the prejudicial and unjust notions as stated above. We call

upon you to institute an inquiry into the incident and in the meantime suspend

the police officer concerned. Simultaneously, please direct your administration

to help VAMP and its activists conduct their legitimate meetings and activities

without fear and intimidation.

Regards,

Lawyers Collective HIV/AIDS Unit

E-mail: <aidscaw@...>

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