Civil society protests police violence against hijras and human rights defenders

[Guest guest]

Civil Society protests police violence against hijras and human rights

defenders in Bengaluru

New Delhi, 7th November 2008: In response to the call for a national day of

action by the Campaign for Sex Workers and Sexual Minorities Rights,community

groups and civil society organizations ( Sahara Transgender Project, Delhi

Network of Positive People, Naz Foundation (India) Trust, Savera, Voices Against

377, Breakthrough, Sharan and Youth Parliament and Lawyers Collective) in Delhi

staged a dharna at Karnataka Bhavan to protest against the police excesses

against hijras and human rights activists in Bengaluru.

A hundred people including transgenders, kothis, people living

with HIV and other rights activists, gathered outside Karnataka Bhavan at

Chankyapuri, shouting slogans and demanding action against erring officials.

Two transgenders - Dilfaraz and Savitha who were abused in the incident in

Bengaluru were also present.

On 20th October, Bengaluru Police arrested 42 persons including hijras, kothis

and human rights activists on charges of unlawful assembly, rioting and

obstructing government officials in performing their duty.

All 42 were kept in police custody for 2 days. Many detainees were beaten and

sexually violated. They were released on bail on 22 October 2008.

After the protest, a delegation met the Resident Commissioner - Mr. Arvind

Risbund and handed over a memorandum demanding:

1. Guilty police officials be punished.

2. Brutal violence against hijras and sex workers in Bangalore be stopped and

perpetrators of violence punished.

3. Traditional livelihood options of the hijra community be protected or they be

provided with a reasonable option.

4. Hijras and other transsexuals have access to education,

employment, health, housing, sex-change procedures, savings and credit

facilities etc.

After hearing the delegation for over 30 minutes, Mr. Arvind Risbund

promised to talk to the Police Commissioner and DGP in Bengalure and ask for a

report of the incident. The Resident Commissioner also promised to take up the

matter with the Home Secretary, Government of Karnataka. He assured the group

that necessary action will be taken against the guilty.

Raman Chawla

Advocacy Officer

Lawyers Collective HIV/AIDS Unit

www.lawyerscollective.org

e-mail: <aidslaw1@...>