Report of the 2008 Nanjang - Human - Free Concert

A. INTRODUCTION

The 2008 Nanjang-Human-Free Concert is a domestic event that hosted by the Promotion Committee of the 2008 Nanjang-Human-Free Concert and dedicated to Gwangju citizens. This event organized by The May 18 Memorial Foundation and was held from May 23 - 25, 2008 at the May 18 Memorial Culture Center and the May 18 Memorial Park.

The Nanjang-Human-Free Concert aims to commemorate the May 18 Gwangju Democratic Uprising. Besides, the government already built some historical places like Memorial Culture Hall, Liberty Park, May 18 Cemetery, etc. They also want to make programs in the historical places so the citizens not only enjoy the places but programs as well.

This year the theme is 'Getting Beyond Discrimination'. This theme made by the Committee of the 2008 Nanjang-Human-Free Concert. They also choose and made the programs. They had publication in several ways, like:
1. Banner. They posted the banner at Universities (Chonnam and Chosun), downtown, the bridge of E-Mart, and other public areas.
2. Posters. They post the posters at some public areas like hospital, apartment, and other public areas.

3. Pamphlets and Tissues. They also spread the pamphlets to the citizens especially who live at Sangmu Area. Also distributed at subways and downtown from May 22 - 25, 2008.

4. Newspapers. The post the advertisement at some newspapers.
5. Ju Mok Bab Magazine. They also post the advertisement at Ju Mok Bab Magazine.

In 3 days, visitors and participants got a chance to enjoy variety of performances. The performances were Music, Theatre, and Dance. There were different programs between last year (2007) and this year (2008). In 2007, there were no band music live, just theatre and dance.


B. SUBSTANCE
On May 23, 2008 started at 18:00 there was band music live. There were 5 bands who performed they played in turns. The kinds of music were variety. The visitors were not only students or youth, but also mature audience. All the visitors enjoyed the performance, this can be proven by their staying on despite the rain. The end of the programs, when the Goguryo band appeared, they invited the visitors especially the students and youth to stand up near the stage to sing and dance together. The event finished at around 21:00.

On May 24, 2008 the event started at 16:00 at Minju Hall. The first performer was a theatre group. For this day, the visitors mostly were families. This theatre was held around 2 hours.

When the theatre was finished the visitors could enjoy tea at book cafe that was put up by the May 18 Memorial Foundation. The book cafe opened from the second day (May 24, 2008) until last day (May 25, 2008) during the events. The visitors could enjoy tea while listening and watching the May 18 songs and animation or read the variety of books of the May 18 Gwangju Democratic Uprising.

The second performer started at 18:00 and the third performer started at 18:30 in the same places. The programs were dances. The second performer more classic dance and the third more modern. From the movements of the dancers showed the situation during the May 18 Gwangju Democratic Uprising. Especially in the third performance, they played like they got caught by bullet in their arms, shoot, attacked, and other movements.

The final show was Tobagi “Mourning” at Daedong Hall. It was a theatre program. The story was the struggle of an old woman who didn’t want to move from her house because she awaits for her son coming back. The government always pushed her to move but she always would always go back to her house. The end of the story was sad because she died when the house was bulldozed by the real estate developers.

On May 25, 2008 the performances started at 16:00 at Daedong Hall. The first program was a theatre. There were 5 person who played. They are still young. This theatre played around 1 hour.

The second performance was dance at the reception hall. The visitors could watch the dancers close by.

For the third and fourth programs showed at the Daedong Square. The third performer was Jang Seung II, he was really talented. He played song melody with a saw. It was really amazing. He also played cow bells. The visitors were excited to see his performance.

On this day, there were some interesting games. The last performer was a theatre, the group used some tools like posters.

After the performers finished their performances, Mr. Jintae Cho as a Secretary General of the May 18 Memorial Foundation gave presents for the 4 winners of the photo contest. The theme is same with the 2008 Nanjang- Human - Free Concert theme 'Getting Beyond Discrimination'. The contestant could put their opinion. The contest was started on April, 2008. There were 40 contestants.

C. Conclusion
It was a big opportunity that I get involved on the 2008 Nanjang-Human-Free Concert. I had a chance to work with the volunteers again after the 2008 Gwangju Interntional Peace Forum and the 2008 Gwangju Prize for Human Rights. I am very grateful for this opportunity. We have experience on the difficult and happy time together.


link: http://www.518.org/

Report of the 2008 Gwangju International Peace Forum

A. INTRODUCTION
Gwangju International Peace Forum is an international forum that aims to strengthen international solidarity between domestic and foreign activists working for democracy, human rights, and peace. Some 150 participants usually join this forum. During the program, the participants will have the opportunity to participate in the official ceremony commemorating the anniversary of the May 18 Gwangju Uprising and pray for the victims souls to rest in peace. The participants will also attend the award-giving ceremony of The Gwangju Prize for Human Rights.
This year, the forum was hosted by The Committee of 28th May Anniversary. The Co-organizers were ARENA, Gwangju Regional Office of NHRC of Korea, Citizens for Decent Housing, and The May 18 Memorial Foundation. The forum was supported by Gwangju Convention and Visitors Bureau, Korea Democracy Foundation, and Cooperation and Aggregate Busan Democratic Movements Association.
The forum was held from May 15 until 18, 2008 at the May 18 Memorial Culture Hall. The objectives of the forum were:

1. To spread the spirit of the May 18 democratic uprising and provide a venue for Asian democracy movements to network.

2. Aiming to become a hub-city of democratization movement in Asia, we recognize the need to develop Gwangju International Peace Forum as a platform to engage civil society movements to dialogue on peace, human rights, and democracy.

The following were the 4 programs of the 2008 Gwangju International Peace Forum:

1. The May 18 Memorial Foundation in Conference Room
- Gwangju Network for Democracy Movements in Asia
- Workshop for the Memorial Associations on International Solidarity
- Civil Society Group Workshop on International Solidarity for Asian Human Rights
- Forum on Asia Regional Solidarity : We are facing ‘Asia’
Korean Civil Society Organizations are facing challenges deepening understanding people and culture of Asia. Asia Institute plans to have a dialogue with scolars and activists from Asia which reflect or current situation of Asian studies and divers way of Asian solidarity of civil society.

2. ARENA / The May 18 Memorial Foundation in Audio – visual Room
2008 International Workshop on Human Rights to Peace in Asia : Peace and Right to Resist : Exploring New Dimensions of the Human Rights to Peace in Asia
ARENA the International Workshop on Human Rights to Peace in Asia, aiming at the advancement of the concept and content of the Rights to Peace through in-depth discussions and examinations with nine presenters from all different countries.

3. Gwangju Regional Office of NHRC of Korea in Exhibition Hall
Workshop on the Human Rights Perspective of a Local Autonomous Ordinance
Through “Workshop on the Human Rights Perspective of a Local Autonomous Ordinance”, we want to check over a Local Autonomous Ordinance. The lives of local people have been effected a lot by a Local Autonomous Ordinance more than by a National Law and Ordinance. We hope we can find ways for the local areas have become a Human-Right community through this workshop.

4. Citizens for Decent Housing in Lobby, 3rd Floor
2008 Program of the 2nd ANAH 2008 in Gwangju Korea: For the Asian NPO Leaders’ Networking for the well-being of Asian housing, CiDeH (Citizen for the Decent Housing) established the ANAH (Asian NPO Networking on Adequate Housing) in 2007 with agreement with 9 people from seven different countries during ANAH 2007 session in Korea from Oct 1st through 4th.

This forum expected outcome were:
1. Participants will recognize the 2008 Gwangju International Peace Forum as an international event and platform for civil society movements to network and for Gwangju to be considered as one of Asia’s sacred places of democratization.

2. We aim for Gwangju International Peace Forum to grow and develop as Asia’s World Social Forum for human rights, democracy, and peace for the upcoming 30th Anniversary of the may 18 Gwangju Democratic Uprising in 2010.

B. SUBSTANCE

There were 188 participants from 21 countries. The breakdown as follows:
Korea 121; Taiwan 10; Japan 8; India 7; Thailand 7; Nepal 5; Indonesia 5; Pakistan 3; Cambodia 3; Bangladesh 3; Malaysia 2; Sri Lanka 2; Philippines 2; China 2; Spain 1; Laos 1; Germany 1; Mongolia 1; Burma 1; Vietnam 1; Myanmar 1.

Most of the participants from other country arrived in Gwangju on May 15, 2008. At night, there was a welcoming reception at 6 PM at the Reception Hall. The ceremony was opened by a donation of censored newspaper by Mr. Sin Yong Ho as a Chairman of the Chonnam Mail Newspaper and was given to Mr. Yun Gwang Jang as a Chairman of the May 18 Memorial Foundation. The ceremony took place around 2 hours including dinner. After the dinner, the participants went to their respective hotels.

On May 16, 2008 the forum were started with the opening ceremony at 9.30-10.30 AM at Daedong Hall. Representative from organizations that were involved in hosting gave reception words. On the first day, the workshops started at 10.30-12.00 AM for the first session.

The participants had lunch at 12.00-1.30 PM. For 3 days there were 2 restaurants the participants can choose: Natural Living (Vegetarian) Restaurants and Su Mok Gwan Restaurants (for meat eaters). The second session started at 1.30-5.00 PM. After finished the second workshop, the participants had dinner. At 7-9 PM, the participants must choose one discussion from three choices. The topics were:
1. Solidarity Movements
2. Recent Development in Nepal
3. Update on Relief and Support for Victims of Cyclone Nargis in Burma
The discussions took place for 2 hours. At 9 PM, the participants went back to their hotel.
The second day on May 17, 2008 the participants joined the first workshops from 10-12 AM. They had lunch at 12-1 PM. The second workshop started at 1-5 PM, and after they finished they had dinner.

At 6 PM, the participants with several staff and volunteers had a journey to downtown. They attended the eve event of the 28th Anniversary of the May 18 Democratic Uprising until 10 PM. This event was presented by the Gwangju citizens. Every year they did the event to commemorate and celebrate the May 18 Gwangju Democratic Uprising. There were some workshops and demonstration too and mostly the Gwangju citizens opposed the beef importation (madcow) and other policy of Lee Myung Bak.

In the eve events there were some performances like sing and dance on the program. The stage is in front of the former provincial hall. There were parts where citizens from various sectors and age expressed their feeling about the president’s economic and political policies. Some were even crying. At 10 PM, the participants went to the hotel by bus.

On the last day on May 18, 2008 the participants with several staff and volunteers attended the 28th Commemorative Ceremony of the May 18 Democratic Uprising at the May 18 National Cemetery. The ceremony started at 10-11.30 AM. This year president, Lee Myung Bak, come to grow the location. The security was strict. There were Korean choir and Korean dance presentation. After the ceremony finished, some participants prayed at the altar for the victims of the May 18 Gwangju Democratic Uprising.

Around at 12 PM, the participants had a field trip to the Unju Temple. The journey took around an hour. In the temple, the participants went around the area and some of them had discussion at the restaurant.

We arrived at the May 18 Memorial Culture around at 4.30 PM and then took pictures together. At 5 PM, the Gwangju Prize for Human Rights was started. The winner of the 2008 Gwangju Prize for Human Rights is Muneer A. Malik, a Pakistani lawyer.

The audience were entertained by performances, like singing and dancing. After the ceremony, the participants took pictures with the winner, Muneer A. Malik in Daedong Hall and then had dinner at the Reception Hall. We didn’t have lunch, just some breads so when we had dinner the participants had big appetite. Around 9 PM the participants went back to the hotel. They said goodbye each other.

C. CONCLUSION

It was a big opportunity for me to be involved on the 2008 Gwangju International Peace Forum. I meet and shared with the activist of democracy, human rights, and peace from other countries, especially I had chance working with the volunteers. I am very grateful for this opportunity.

links:

http://www.518.org/

http://www.518solidarity.blogspot.com/

The May 18 Memorial Exhibition

The May 18 Memorial Foundation is a non-profit organization established on August 30^th, 1994 by the surviving victims of the 1980 Gwangju Uprising, the victims families, and the citizens of Gwangju. The foundation aims to commemorate as well as continue the spirit of struggle and solidarity of the May 18 Uprising; to contribute to the peaceful reunification of Korea; and to work towards peace and human rights throughout the world. Since its establishment, the foundation has carried out numerous projects in various fields, including organizing memorial events, establishing scholarships, fostering research, disseminating information to the public, publishing relevant materials, dispensing charity and welfare benefits, building international solidarity, and awarding the Gwangju Prize for Human Rights.

One of the memorial events is organizing the May 18 Memorial Exhibition around the cities in South Korea. Every year the place and the time are different. In the case of the month of May, the exhibition is always conducted in Gwangju (the 518 gallery). For this year, the Culture and Solidarity Team of the May 18 Memorial Foundation organized the May 18 Memorial Exhibition in 3 places which are:

1. Gwangju, from May 15 – 25, 2008

2. Jeonju, from June 5 – 18, 2008

3. Busan, from September 5 – 25, 2008

There are 2 types of support which the foundation provides in organizing these exhibitions, namely:

1. The foundation funds all of the expenses of the exhibition.

2. The foundation is funding half of the expenses of the exhibition.

For this year’s exhibition, the foundation is funding all the expenses of the exhibition (type 1).

On June 5, 2008 at 5 PM the opening ceremony was held for the exhibition in Jeonju. The exhibition was held at the 2^nd floor of Sori 21 Art Gallery. On the 1^st floor there is another exhibition with the same related theme. Every year the exhibition are different kind of creations but the theme is always the May 18 Gwangju Democratic Uprising. Everyone look and appraises the Uprising in different aspects. Also, the foundation organized the exhibition with different creation so the people can enjoy and feel it in many ways.

On 2007, there were 2 themes which were:

1. Look at the new of the May 18 Uprising. It was discovery of the May 18 Gwangju Democratic Uprising.

2. The Cartoons. The foundation gave opportunity for young artists to create using the May 18 Gwangju Democratic Uprising as a theme.

This year the theme of the exhibition is a little bit different. The Foundation made used of the archive of pictures. The exhibition was the pictures of the victims before the Uprising. On the pictures, the people look happy. Some of the photos were takes with their families or friends.

The exhibition is talking about the human, they have their own life, friends, and families. When the Uprising happened, they could not take pictures because the situation was very dangerous. The memory left for the victims’ families were the last pictures that they took before the Uprising.

The foundation collected the pictures from the victims’ families. The pictures left were not so many, the families mostly burned them because they want to throw the sad memory. The pictures, reminds them of their loved ones who died in the Uprising that makes them feel sad.

During the opening ceremony, there was a performance. There was 1 artist. He performed his creation in front of the visitors. His performances took around 30 minutes. The theme of the performance was the rice. As we know that rice is an important for symbol Asian countries. He used different kinds of rice (look at the follow pictures). After the performances, there were some reception words.

After the opening ceremony, the visitors looked around the exhibition. The organizers also prepared snack and drink. The opening ceremony finished at around 7 PM.

Some of the citizens in Gwangju and South Korea look The May 18 Gwangju Democratic Uprising just as a history. With the exhibition, the foundation aims for the people who lives after the Uprising to look, hear, and feel the history. History not just history per se, but history that now was great influence in their lives.

link: http://www.518.org/

The Theatre Performances

On May 20, 2008 there was a theatre performance at Un-am Middle School. The theme is the May 18 Gwangju Democratic Uprising. There were around 500 students gathered at the hall.

This performance is an education program meant especially for the students. The students as youth are the continuation of future generation. It is hoped that through this performance the students could know and feel the story of struggles of the ‘Minjung’ (people) of the May 18 Gwangju Democratic Uprising.

The theatre group who performed was 좋다 (Jo-ta). They were 6 persons. The title was 귀신은 뭐하나 (;What are ghosts doing?’). Ghosts mean the activists who fight for democracy, human rights, and peace especially in South Korea. What are they doing now after they died and as spirits.

좋다 (Jo-ta) made used of both traditional and popular theatre tools and methods like: han-bok (Korean traditional clothes), sing and dance of Korean pop song, and others. Before the performance started, the teachers set in order the students.

They started the performance at around 2 PM, one of the performers came out from the back stage and made communication with the students like encouraging them to clap their hands. This is one trick to make the students conspicuous. This trick succeeded. The performance started when the old man (as a grandfather) came out and began his story.

Each actor performed and played their part very well. The students enjoyed the show. They did not get bored because the story is a little bit funny. The performance took place for an hour. After the performance finished, the students went back to their classes.

The theatre performances supported by the May 18 Memorial Foundation. Every year the Foundation supports and organizes this program on the months of May and November until December. This year, the theatre performances were held at elementary schools, middle schools, high schools, and other public places.

Besides 좋다 (Jo-ta), the other groups who performed were:

1. Sin Myung, mean artist performing group.

2. Haineul-geul-ri-gi, mean art creative group for performance.

3. IL-ter, mean performer’s group for labor-art.

The Haineul-geul-ri-gi and Il-ter had performed too last year. The venue of performances every year can be same or different schools.

The citizens of Gwangju promotes the May 18 Gwangju Democratic Uprising as a big history that should not be forgotten and bequeathed from generation to generations. The story and spirit of the struggle is not only a property of the ‘Minjung’ in 1980, but all of the citizens of Gwangju forever.

link:
www.518.org

Red Festa 2008 in Gwangju, South Korea

Thet Din's Refection on Red Festa 2008

1-Introduction
- Red Festa Festival

Red Festa is a May 18 Festival for the Youth, and it is an event in which the young reenact scenes of the May 18 Democratic Uprising by using red and exercising their creativity, hosted by Youth Committee for the May 18 Festival.

Red Festa is a big event in Gwangju City, South Korea for this year. It is within the auspices of the Youth Committee for the May 18 Festival and Education and Research Team and the May 18 Memorial Foundation. The colors and objective of the event would like to show about the modern democracy in South Korea, especially for the May 18 Democratic Uprising that had occurred on 18-25 May 2008 in Gwangju.

Red Festa started in 2005, this program educates youth and students in South Korea on Human Rights, Peace and Democracy, particularly youth in Gwangju City. The event for this year was celebrated on 24 May 2008 at Geumnam-ro, Gwangju (downtown road of Gwangju City) and it was a public event. Everyone could join in the event. The ideas were together by the youth and staff to decorate the place and easily understood by people. All participants can join and walk around from 2pm to 10pm on the Geumanam-ro Street, the street is closed for all vehicular activities. The title for this year’s celebration is “Emotion of the May 18 Democratic Uprising (Koum Soung)”


-Red Festa Conception

The Event was established whose main group targets are the youth and new generation for commemorating The May 18 Democratic Uprising, which is very important in the modern history of South Korea. A tragedy that is deep in the heart of Gwangju citizens. It was a dictatorship regime against with human rights and democracy, which had killed so many people. They had killed and did violence to the victims without thinking of gender or age, especially to the students. It is therefore important that the young generation should know and keep the memory of this history.

May 18, is usually the time to commemorate the anniversary of the 1984 Gwangju Democratic Uprising, for all the heroes who died and became victims who suffered the loss of their family member. Frequently, it is a general ceremony with formal occasion to respect and thank the dead for every thing they had done to sacrifice their life for Korea. Particularly to keep the memory of democratic uprising, so most of the people have to show their feelings of grief. It is also a way to getting the attention of the youth and young generation. The May 18 Memorial Foundation and The Youth Committee for the May 18 Festival view the importance of engaging all age and gender in the society. The Foundation had prepare a plan for youth understanding of may 18 historical value. And also more activists were engaged to improve The May 18 Democratic Uprising celebration. The youth will replace the old generation, so they should understand with consciousness the May 18, they will play the key role for society and protect human rights with peace and democracy in the future. This project was created by the Foundation for the youth and public and has wonder result.

- General Information on Red Festa 2008

The program is important program of the May 18 Memorial Foundation that focues on youth. This program was held on May 24, 2008 at Kumman Street, Gwangju City, South Korea (in front of the provincial hall) from 2.00pm to 10pm. It was a free public events for all participants have chance to learn with fun about The May 18 Democratic Uprising. The targets are the young generations and youth. Particularly, participants devised their own impression on the uprising “How they feel about Gwangju citizens endeavored to bring genuine democracy and human rights under Junta military leadership” through arts, music, and other creation mean, all of there are effective and useful ways to educate the young generation understanding the violations done to citizens during the military dictatorship.

-“Owol Ma Dang” Project on Red Festa 2008

Red Festa is rich of youth involvement both physical and mental participation. The Youth Committee for the May 18 Festival and Education and Research Team of the May 18 Memorial Foundation thought a lot of the deeply for impact and result of the program to the youth. Especially they use some strategic to get youth interest to The May 18 Democratic Uprising, Through listening to talks and other and giving them chance to reading, implement and be more responsible.

On the Red Festa day, most of youth had come up with their own various activities supported by different organizations. On that day not only the Education and Research Team (the May 18 Memorial Foundation) was involved but also other organizations.

The Education and Research team was responsible for the program called “Owol Ma Dang” it means “the May traditional Square” the conduct of small programs variety for the Red Festa.

First, a program call “Pi Chu Da” mean “Reflection” it had some mirrors with letter and flowers, white boxes and two monitors play a movie on the May 18, all participants could see and appreciate Gwangju citizens in 1980. Out side of the booth we had put some big papers for participants to draw.

Second, the program call “Man Na Da” it means “Meet” this program was made for participants could ask some questions or talk about May 18 and get answers from the specialist in the person of, Mr. Chanho Kim.

Third, “Chad da” it means “Find” this program is a chance for participants to become a new caster, it was a big program for Owol Ma Dang project. The modern technology and facility were prepared life a small studio, cameras, speakers, monitors and other materials were provided.

Fourth, “Buruda” it means “Sing” this program had two volunteers to teach participants of the Songs of May and other songs relevant.

Fifth, “Gri Da” mean “Draw” it was apart of “Pi Chu Da” but out side, participants drew picture in columns that has reference to May 18.

Sixth, it was a fantastic view to make red papers into airplane. Furthermore, participants could write a message to the heroes of the May 18, it was a program called “Na Li Da” or “Fly”.

Seventh, “Gada” program it means “Go” Participants walk to the provincial hall with a volunteer as guide, they were showed around and told about the history of the May 18 Democratic Uprising, especially what happened on 25 May. Every hour, tour is provided participants have a red umbrella to be recognized.

Eighth, “Jik Da means Take” the program had gives a chance for the participants to have their picture taken with the May 18 background. After 30 minutes they can get their picture printed.
And the last program call “Iid Da” it means “Read” we prepared some books, chairs, table and soft drink. They also get extra hot news issues in South Korea especially Mad Cow.

All of the 9 elements of the programs refer to the Emotion of the May 18. It shows both our physical and mental, facilities are relevant to show sympathy for Gwanju citizens, it is an important event to remind Gwangju citizens about patriotism and the struggles that brought democracy back in South Korea.

-Main Target

It was an amazing event for all people to enjoy and participate. The targets of the event are the youth and young generation in Gwangju, also, in Korea. Youths were the main are actors of the May 18 Uprising, so youth are getting the attention of political leaders, because they are the main pillar of the nation.


2-My Involvement

I had given assistance for all programs of Education and Research Team for the Red Festa. Although I was assigned in Pi Chu Da program, I participated to all of the work. I assisted in other programs and helped made some materials. For the Pi Chu Da Team I gave my ideas and discussed to the decorations to make it attractive to make it to participants’. During those times I had a chance to observe to Korean youth Team work.

We spend long time discussing on how we should make participant understand what we are doing. (Otherwise I had made a sign in English for foreign visitors in Pi Chu Da program aware with a part of May 18). After our discussion plan for decoration and meaning, I helped implement the plan to become a reality with Korea youth volunteers. We decided to get 2 big boxes to represent as monument of victims and the other 30 boxes stick poem and narrated story relevant to the May 18 Democratic Uprising for participants to understand to struggles and how to claim back their rights. Beside the monument boxes we had 4 meter length and 2 meter width for flower sticker. Last year Pi Chu Da had prepared some real flowers for monument, but a flower shops owner’s feet had that it is close to their place, they had thought that was a bad luck of their business. So this year we made use of flower sticker on the mirrors which is representative to fresh flower for all victims.

Anyway we had used two monitors to play documentary film about May 18, all participants could see and had feeling to appreciate Gwangju citizens in 1980.

Here is a message I had made for Pi Chu Da program, the title call Reflection of the May Flower,

“During the May 18 Democratic Uprising many Gwangju citizens were killed and assaulted by soldiers. People were arrested and suspected without due process. The victims of this martial law force’s brutality numbered 4,369 all told: 154 killed, 74 missing, 4,141 wounded (including those who died because of their injuries) and placed under arrest, but some people believe the number of victims would be more than this.

The mirror’s function is to reflect, it can show us how we look. But the mirror here is not only to see our appearance but it also shows us more than what we know. How deep is your imagination? What keeps you here in Gwangju, the place of freedom and democracy where blood of Gwangju citizens flowed? The May 18 Gwangju Democratic uprising was the catalyst for South Korea’s democratization for all of us and the young generation

I see some flowers on the mirrors, which looks very beautiful. So it should be given to victims and missing Gwangju citizens, who died for our nation, so we should give honor and respect and keep talking about it and keep it tradition alive for the generation to come. Please give the flower and bow to our heroes”,

At the end of the events I helped clear all items with the Education and Research Team. I joined and helped from the beginning until the end of the Pi Chu Da program, and also other programs of “Owol Ma Dang” project of Education Team of the May 18 Memorial Foundation.


3-My Observations on Red Festa

Budget, it just for 10 hours to enjoy and so much money was spent, South Korea is a developed country and has good economy, so they have capacity to support festivals and ceremonies like Red Festa.

Teamwork and cooperation among the May 18 Memorial Foundation and other organizations, it was not easy like we saw. Red Festa was an opportunity for all organizations to work together. It is also a chance for youth and volunteers, to have an opportunity to learn how to work with other people in society.
Youth empowerment, the Education and Research Team had done this through Red Festa. Students that volunteers of the May 18 Memorial Foundation have freedom to make their own decisions on what they want to do and with the Education team’s assistance.

Participants, by the time that I had joined the full day of Red Fasta, I believe that most of the participants were enjoying in the project so much. Our program added one and half hour more because of a lot of participants should up than our expectation.

Participation of participants, they were very active in singing, drawing, asking, playing, reading……..all of these were relevant to the strategy of Seeing, Listening and Working.

Good memory, it not just fun for participants but also they understand and learn how to do, exhibition work. This will make them understand and remember 18 Democratic Uprising.

Government cooperation, Youth Committee of the May 18 Festival had made good relationship with government for the good location of the event, it was a great job for NGOs and government to work together to improve citizens understanding about the May 18 and other issues.

Red Festa was a successful idea of improving youth in society and provides chance of learning between people with people, organization with organization and also between people with organization. It is a good strategy to get attention from the youth to commemorate the May event. It teaches the hearts and mind of young generation.

The Festival excites the minds of both the youth and Gwangju citizens, so I hope every year the Youth Committee of the May Festival, the May 18 Memorial Foundation, the Government and other organizations will always contribute and involve in this significant event.

Human rights defender once again receives threats in Uttar Pradesh

Peoples'' Vigilance Committee on Human Rights (PVCHR) convener Dr. Lenin is again receiving life threatening calls over his mobile telephone asking him to stop working for the Dalit communities in the state. The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) was informed day before yesterday that Dr. Lenin has received at least 18 telephone calls on his mobile telephone between 25 April 2008 and 18 May 2008. He was asked to stop working for the Dalit communities particularly in Varanasi district of Uttar Pradesh.

On 19 May 2008, the AHRC was informed by Dr. Lenin of the PVCHR that he is receiving continuous telephone calls from identifiable telephone numbers since April 25 where the callers have either asked him to stop working for the Dalit community or abused him over telephone for PVCHR's work in Dalit hamlets in Uttar Pradesh, and in Varanasi district in particular.

Dr. Lenin is the Convener of the PVCHR, a local non-government human rights organisation working in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. In the past the AHRC has reported similar incidents concerning Dr. Lenin and the PVCHR.

It is reported that Dr. Lenin received 18 calls from the following numbers +919918086996
+919415158550, +919794207227, +919454592038, +919792166784, +919792317547, +919453982577, +919956198171, +919838709973, +919889028806, +919792625583, +919795067828, +919838709937, +919792308119, +919793181915 and +919335985425, +919956816351 and +919919784317 on 25/4/08, 30/4/08, 11/5/2008, 15/5/08, 16/5/08, 17/5/08 and 18/5/08 respectively. All these numbers are registered in India.

On April 26 after the first call Dr. Lenin has registered a complaint, send through registered post, addressed to the Director General of Police, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh informing the officer about the call that he received and urging the officer to take necessary action upon the complaint.

Dr. Lenin informs the AHRC that since his first complaint, his telephone number +91993559933 is being monitored by the state government agencies. However, he continued to receive abusing calls. Dr. Lenin also informs the AHRC that the latest of the calls was from such a dangerous person operating in Uttar Pradesh that the very fact and knowledge that such persons are involved in this matter is good enough for anybody in the state to stop all their activities. This implies that the state police have not taken Dr. Lenin's complaint seriously.

Dr. Lenin also informs the AHRC that while some of the callers did not speak to him at all, but played some music over the telephone when the call was answered, some threatened him asking the PVCHR to stop working for the Dalits, organising them and to stop immediately all activities of the PVCHR which would even inform the Dalits about their basic human rights. Dr. Lenin also informed the AHRC that the mafia man who had called Dr. Lenin on May 18 had specifically threatened that unless the PVCHR stop working for the Musahar community in the state, he and his men are engaged by some upper caste feudal lords in the district to burn down all Musahar ghettos and villages in and around Varanasi where the PVCHR is currently engaged. The mafia man also enquired where the PVCHR obtain its funds from, a question that suggests that unless the PVCHR pays the mafia some sought of protection money, they would keep harassing the PVCHR or try to stop its work in the state.

Threatening, intimidating, insulting and creating annoyance to persons is a crime punishable in India under the Indian Penal Code, 1860. Section 503 of the Code reads: "Whoever threatens another with any injury to his person, reputation or property, or to the person or reputation of any one in whom that person is interested, with intent to cause alarm to that person, or to cause that person to do any act which he is not legally bound to do, or to omit to do any act which that person is legally entitled to do, as the means of avoiding the execution of such threat, commits criminal intimidation."

Section 506 of the Code prescribes punishment for criminal intimidation which could extend to imprisonment up to a period of two years or fine or both. However, if the criminal intimidation is to cause death or grievous hurt or to cause destruction of property by fire, the sentence may extend to a term up to seven years, or with fine or both.

According to an amendment applicable to Uttar Pradesh vide notification number 777/VIII 9-4(2)-87 dated 31 July 1989, a crime punishable under Section 506 is cognizable and non-bailable. This means that on receipt of a complaint, the police could arrest the accused without a warrant of arrest issued by a court of law.

Threat and intimidation is not to be taken lightly in Uttar Pradesh. It is one of those states in India where people are abducted and children kidnapped for settling private and political feuds. In some cases the abducted victims are tortured or even murdered if the demands of the criminals are not met. As far as the PVCHR is concerned, it is an apolitical local human rights organisation with limited resources, but with a large work group, including staff and volunteers.

It is also a mass-based membership organisation, which makes it practically difficult for the PVCHR to make arrangements for self protection of its office, staff and the victims it support all by its own. Without proper support and effective engagement of the state police the staff of the PVCHR and its work is vulnerable to abuses by the criminal elements in the society who are engaged by upper caste landlords to suppress the activities of the PVCHR.

The calls are also a reflection of the PVCHR's success in mobilising and empowering the Dalits in the state. The state administration unfortunately finds PVCHR's work as a slur or trouble to the state's public image. Due to the hunger alerts and urgent appeals issued by the AHRC on the behest of the PVCHR the deplorable state of affairs of the state administration in addressing the immediate needs of the Dalit community like food security, education and has brought to light the corruption in the public food distribution system in the state that deprives the Dalit community in the state from their fundamental right to food and also other discriminatory practices by the upper caste practiced against the Dalit communities in the state.

Due to the sheer number of cases taken up by the PVCHR and its wide coverage and network with other peer groups within the state and the grass root mobilisation that was stirred up by the PVCHR and its other partner organisations have now become an eyesore for the state administration. It appears that the state administration through its passive stance of failing to provide adequate protection to the PVCHR and its activists is in fact expecting the upper caste Hindus and feudal landlords in the state and their criminal henchmen to silence the PVCHR. Dr. Lenin believes that the calls though made to his personal mobile telephone are in fact a method of delivering a message to everyone associated with the PVCHR, cautioning them to stop working in Uttar Pradesh. This must not be allowed.

It is imperative at this juncture that 24 hours police protection to be provided to the Dalit hamlets in Pindra (Musahar child rescued from acute malnutrition in , Belwa and Raup (Ghasia huts in Raup village, so as to ensure that the Dalit families in these villages are safe from the criminals who have threatened the PVCHR from working in these villages. It is also necessary for the state police to immediately discuss these issues with the PVCHR and its staff, to ensure that none of the staff as well as the people for whom the PVCHR work is hurt by the criminals. The state administration must immediately take these steps as otherwise irreparable damages will be caused to not only a well functioning human rights group in Uttar Pradesh and its staff, but also to the Dalits residing in Dalit hamlets in and around Varanasi.

In the past three years, the cases taken up by the PVCHR, whenever brought to the limelight has attracted adequate attention from various corners of the world, including direct intervention by the UN agencies. Such interventions have not only stimulated the activists and volunteers associated with the PVCHR to engage more in human rights work, but has also brought immediate and long-term reliefs to the victims of human rights violations in the state.

Of particular relevance are the cases taken up from Musahar (Dalit subgroup) ghettos in Belwa and Pinda and the Ghasia community in Raup in the state. On an issue that led to the release of bonded labour in Belwa, the village head of Belwa, Mr. Rajendra Tripathi has filed a false criminal charge against the staff of the PVCHR which was also reported by the AHRC. For this illegal act, Mr. Tripathi was also reportedly helped by the then District Magistrate Ms. Veena Kumari. Ms. Kumari was transferred from Varanasi in the past week.

In recognition of the activities of the PVCHR, the Gwangju based human rights group, the May 18 Foundation has awarded Dr. Lenin the Gwangju Price for Human Rights along with Ms. Irom Chanu Sharmila of Manipur in the year 2007.

Please urge to the authorities of UP to ensure that the safety and protection of the PVCHR, its staff and the activists associated with the organisation. The AHRC has also written to the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders calling for an immediate intervention in this case.


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--
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Musahars received lands for livelihood

International Labour Day i.e. 1st May is celebrated all over the world. Like other labour, Mushars of Baragaon block also celebrate 1st May, 2008 with the collaboration of People's Vigilance Committee on Human Rights (PVCHR) and Forum on the right of Musahar and Nuts. Programme start with strike protest at Block Office Baragaon in which Mushars from Anei, Hamirpur, Siswa and Jhingwa, Kudi, Raipura, Lakshirampur, Nindanpur, Kuwar village participate and gave their demand to Block Development Officer.

Members of the organization Mrs. Kalawati Mushar, Shanti Mushar, Chamela Nut, Sommar Mushar, Dhanai Mushar, Moti Mushar, Phoolchand Mushar give speech in their regional language and they also keep their demands for job card under National Rural Employment Guarantee Act. At last a positive thing was traced in the speech of Mushars as today is Labour Day and we all know we have power in our arms and one day we will win our struggle.

The strike was conclude with the boost speech of Dr. Lenin Convener of People's Vigilance Committee on Human Rights (PVCHR) we have to struggle until we succeed in making pressure on policy maker for making change in the policy. Unless we have equal rights in resources, corruption, discrimination and disparity will continue. We have to continue this struggle in correct direction to establish the Rule of Law and participatory democracy in the villages.

Mushars tender their demand to Block Development officer (BDO) Mr. Babu Ram Tripathi and he assured Mushars no corruption will done in any program which is entertained by Block Development Office. But feelings of Mushars were not advanced as Block Development Officer whenever any incidence of corruption happened BDO always seem to stand with the corrupt person. All members were present decided to be alert on BDO assurance.

In Anei village cultural night was organized by Mushars. At 8 pm in the night program start with the traditional folk dance "Kaharwa": men's perform dance in women dress. The program went for two hours. Mushars want to celebrate their happiness as 26 Mushars families get allotment and possession of 4 – 4 biswa agricultural land. Mushars get this success with the organized effort of them, Voice of People and People's Vigilance Committee on Human Rights. Labour want to show the expression of being owner of land during the cultural activities and member of the organization were giving message to preserve the cultural activities through celebration of Labour Day with the performance of indigenous musical instrument. Through this type of activities affection will increase and it will also reinforce the base of People's organization.

Mushars of Anei gave honor to Dr. Lenin and Shruti by flower garland and banarsi shawl and decided for the further movement. After program villagers and guest eat dinner (chicken, rice and chapatti) together. After dinner all Mushars again start dancing and program end at 3 am in the morning.

For celebrating this occasion Mushars collect contribution from every family of community like money and food grain. They also arrange tent, microphone, and food and also manage special musical instrument for Mushars community to make program more attractive.

Shabana Khan is Asst. Director of PVCHR.

Anupam Nagvanshi is member of Core team of PVCHR.

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--
Dr. Lenin (Ashoka Fellow)
Mobile:+91-9935599333
Please visit:
http://www.universalrights.net/heroes/display.php3?id=101
www.pvchr.org
www.youtube.com/pvchrindia
www.pvchr.blogspot.com
www.sapf.blogspot.com
www.antiwto.blogspot.com
www.rtfcup.blogspot.com
www.dalitwomen.blogspot.com
www.lenin-shruti.blogspot.com
http://www.orkut.com/Community.aspx?cmm=51624734