Home / News / Urgent Appeals / UPDATE (INDIA): 26th Day of Indefinite Hunger Strike by Fr. Pallath
 

UPDATE (INDIA): 26th Day of Indefinite Hunger Strike by Fr. Pallath

June 4, 2002

UPDATE ON URGENT APPEAL UPDATE ON URGENT APPEAL UPDATE ON URGENT APPEAL
<br>

<br>
ASIAN HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION - URGENT APPEALS PROGRAM
<br>

<br>
Update on Urgent Appeal 5 June 2002
<br>
----------------------------------------------------------------------
<br>
UP-34-2002 (RE: UA/16/2002 - Support Fr. Pallath's hunger strike for justice - 06 May 2002)
<br>

<br>
UPDATE (INDIA): 26th Day of Indefinite Hunger Strike by Fr. Pallath
<br>
----------------------------------------------------------------------
<br>

<br>
PEOPLE'S RESPONSE INCREASES BUT THE JUSUIT SUPERIORS SAY, &quot;LET HIM DIE!&quot;
<br>

<br>
The fast of Fr. Pallath J. Joseph reached its 26th day today. He is visibly weak and feeble. However, it has made no difference to the Jesuit superiors in Kerala, who openly say, &quot;LET HIM DIE!&quot;
<br>

<br>
Yesterday (June 4) about 52 people held an all-day fast in the heart of the town where Fr. Pallath is continuing his own fast. The group included priests, nuns and lay people. There were also meetings in the town attended by many people. Many speeches are also being made by community leaders. The nuns in particular have participated in this protest strongly.
<br>

<br>
In the present situation, protests need to be held before all Jesuit houses in the world demanding them to effectively intervene to save the life of Fr. Pallath and to begin negotiations with him.
<br>

<br>
We urge you to take URGENT ACTION to HOLD PROTESTS BEFORE ALL JESUIT HOUSES THROUGH THE WORLD and to write to the Jesuit superior general in Rome whose contact information is:
<br>

<br>
Rev. Fr. Peter-Hans Kolvenbach
<br>
Superior General
<br>
Curia Generalizia
<br>
Compagnia di Gesu
<br>
C.P.6139
<br>
00195 Roma Prati
<br>
Fax: (390) 6686 8214
<br>
E-mail: curia@sjcuria.org
<br>

<br>

<br>
SUGGESTED LETTER
<br>

<br>
Dear
<br>

<br>
Re: 26th Day of Fr. Pallath's Hunger Strike
<br>

<br>
A man who you have much wronged continues a hunger strike to redress these wrongs, and his only demand is that you appoint an inquiring body to investigate his complaints in an impartial manner. To this simple demand, the reply given by your representatives in Kerala in India is: &quot;We don't care. Let him die!&quot; It is simply shocking that this comes from a religious order claiming to be Christian and claiming to be committed to working towards the improvement of humanity.
<br>

<br>
We urge you to intervene immediately and effectively in this case. If Fr. Pallath dies, the blame will clearly be put at your doorstep.
<br>

<br>
Thank you for immediate attention to his important issue.
<br>

<br>
Sincerely yours,
<br>

<br>
--------------
<br>

<br>
UPDATE
<br>

<br>
We include below the information we have received from EE Services-Calicut in Kerala up to the 22nd day of the fast.
<br>

<br>
- 22nd Day of Indefinite Hunger Strike by Fr. Pallath
<br>

<br>
The valiant struggle undertaken by Fr J.J. Pallath entered the 22nd day today causing serious concern about his life. Mr. A vasu, convener of the solidarity committee in support of Fr. Pallath's indefinite hunger strike cautioned every one that if the Jesuits are determined to have a martyr for their terribly inhuman deeds and adamant stand, chances are indeed too real that they will have it. An urgent appeal signed by around 400 residents of the locality around Christ hall, beseeched the local Bishop, whose palace is hardly a stone-throw away from the venue of Fr. Pallath's hunger strike, to urgently intervene in the matter. It may be noted that the first agreement that ended Fr. Pallath's earlier hunger strike was mediated by the then Bishop of Calicut. The new Bishop took charge 2 weeks ago.
<br>

<br>
- Protests Erupts within Jesuit Fold
<br>

<br>
Against the incalcitrant attitude of the Jesuits to the Human tragedy unfolding before them, the hither to silent protests with in the Jesuit community of Kerala against the stubborn attitude of their superiors burst in to the open yesterday. Dr. Joseph Kottukapilly, a highly regarded theologian, intellectual and visiting professor at many Catholic seminaries in the country came out in the open declaring his vehement opposition to the attitude of the Jesuit superiors of Kerala towards Fr. Pallath. &quot;I have been unsuccessfully searching for the last two years for a modicum of justification in the manner in which my superiors have been treating Fr. Pallath's. Theologically, canonically, as per Jesuit constitution and as per principles of natural Justice, there is absolutely no justification for what we are doing to him. Silence at this juncture, when every effort to make the Jesuit authorities see reason seems to be failing, will be a crime against my Christian faith and against my Jesuit calling - said Fr. Joseph Kottukapilly to a crowded Press conference in Calicut. He urged that as an interim measure the Jesuits immediately follow up on the agreement signed between Fr. Pallath and the Jesuit authorities during October 2001 to end the hunger strike immediately and not have the blood of their brother on their hand.&quot;My struggle is not so much for Fr. Pallath as for the Jesuit order itself, to redeem it from the deep abyss of inhumanness and injustice it has fallen in to&quot;, reaffirmed Fr. Kottukapilly. The press conference of Fr. Kottukapilly has sent shock waves through the Jesuit society and it is reliably learnt that in a couple of days a host of young priests will openly rally around Fr. Pallath, insisting that justice be done.
<br>

<br>
- Cultural Kerala Rallies behind Fr. Pallath
<br>

<br>
In the meantime, several more cultural leaders have voiced their concern for Fr. Pallath's life and urged for urgent interventions to save his life. Among the signatories to the statement are Kovilan, Sara Joseph, Prof. K.G.Shankarapillai, Vaisakan, Ravunni, Ashokan Cahervuil, Ashtamurty, etc. Mr. Civic Chandran, noted poet and cultural activist urged the Jesuit authorities not to forget that in their compound lies buried Fr. S Kappen, one of the tallest intellectuals of Kerala. ''Your actions now must be making Fr. Kappen turn in his grave. Don't disturb his sleep by perpetrating an act of injustice that he would find abominable. Allow him to sleep in peace&quot; - pleaded Mr. Civic Chandran in a statement.
<br>

<br>
Prof. M.K Prasad, former Pro-Vice Chancellor of the University of Calicut, in a separate statement deplored the inhuman treatment meted out by the Jesuits to Fr. Pallath, and said that it was a tragedy that it was being done by a religious order borrowing its name from Jesus Christ himself.
<br>

<br>
P. Govindapillai, another leading light o Kerala's cultural life, and well known Marxist theoretician, recalled the intellectual and activists contributions of Fr. Pallath to the Kerala society, pointed out that violation of signed agreements mediated by respected members of the society is tantamount to declaration by the Jesuits that they are law unto themselves. He called upon the public to rally behind Fr. Pallath's just demands.
<br>

<br>
- Jesuits Harden Stand All the More; Spurn Conciliatory Moves by the Mayor of Calicut
<br>

<br>
&quot; He could die for all we care. But there is nothing that we intend doing;&quot; is how several people who approached the Jesuit authorities to effect some mediation to end Fr. Pallath's hunger strike reported the response of the Jesuits. Every dirty trick that would undoubtedly shame even professional strike-wreckers of Kerala that are on the pay rolls of industrial magnates, are being deployed by the Jesuit authorities. At least 7 police complaints have been filed. Drunkards are let loose near the venue of the hunger strike and on one occasion one even tried to manhandle Fr. Pallath's. The convener of the Action Council was mercilessly attacked and had to be hospitalized during the initial days of the hunger strike, and now finally notice has been served on Fr. Pallath's supporters form the court ostensibly to preempt any action they would direct towards Christ hall, the seat of the Jesuit authority of Kerala.
<br>

<br>
If a measure of the contempt with which the Jesuits are viewing the growing public resentment against their actions was needed, it was evident in their spurning 4 attempts by the Hon. Mayor of Calicut to bring them to the negotiating table. We have nothing to say, was their curt reply.When specific violations of the agreement were pointed out to the Jesuits, their nonchalant reply was - so what, let him go the court.
<br>

<br>
- Pallath Health Deteriorates
<br>

<br>
On the 22nd day of the agitation, Fr. Pallath's health has worsened. He is rapidly losing weight and his low blood pressure too is causing concern. But he has reiterated his determination to continue the struggle till justice is met.
<br>

<br>

Document Type :
Urgent Appeal Update
Document ID :
UP-34-2002
Countries :
Document Actions
Share |
Subscribe to our Mailing List
Follow AHRC
Extended Introduction: Urgent Appeals, theory and practice

A need for dialogue

Many people across Asia are frustrated by the widespread lack of respect for human rights in their countries.  Some may be unhappy about the limitations on the freedom of expression or restrictions on privacy, while some are affected by police brutality and military killings.  Many others are frustrated with the absence of rights on labour issues, the environment, gender and the like. 

Yet the expression of this frustration tends to stay firmly in the private sphere.  People complain among friends and family and within their social circles, but often on a low profile basis. This kind of public discourse is not usually an effective measure of the situation in a country because it is so hard to monitor. 

Though the media may cover the issues in a broad manner they rarely broadcast the private fears and anxieties of the average person.  And along with censorship – a common blight in Asia – there is also often a conscious attempt in the media to reflect a positive or at least sober mood at home, where expressions of domestic malcontent are discouraged as unfashionably unpatriotic. Talking about issues like torture is rarely encouraged in the public realm.

There may also be unwritten, possibly unconscious social taboos that stop the public reflection of private grievances.  Where authoritarian control is tight, sophisticated strategies are put into play by equally sophisticated media practices to keep complaints out of the public space, sometimes very subtly.  In other places an inner consensus is influenced by the privileged section of a society, which can control social expression of those less fortunate.  Moral and ethical qualms can also be an obstacle.

In this way, causes for complaint go unaddressed, un-discussed and unresolved and oppression in its many forms, self perpetuates.  For any action to arise out of private frustration, people need ways to get these issues into the public sphere.

Changing society

In the past bridging this gap was a formidable task; it relied on channels of public expression that required money and were therefore controlled by investors.  Printing presses were expensive, which blocked the gate to expression to anyone without money.  Except in times of revolution the media in Asia has tended to serve the well-off and sideline or misrepresent the poor.

Still, thanks to the IT revolution it is now possible to communicate with large audiences at little cost.  In this situation there is a real avenue for taking issues from private to public, regardless of the class or caste of the individual.

Practical action

The AHRC Urgent Appeals system was created to give a voice to those affected by human rights violations, and by doing so, to create a network of support and open avenues for action.  If X’s freedom of expression is denied, if Y is tortured by someone in power or if Z finds his or her labour rights abused, the incident can be swiftly and effectively broadcast and dealt with. The resulting solidarity can lead to action, resolution and change. And as more people understand their rights and follow suit, as the human rights consciousness grows, change happens faster. The Internet has become one of the human rights community’s most powerful tools.   

At the core of the Urgent Appeals Program is the recording of human rights violations at a grass roots level with objectivity, sympathy and competence. Our information is firstly gathered on the ground, close to the victim of the violation, and is then broadcast by a team of advocates, who can apply decades of experience in the field and a working knowledge of the international human rights arena. The flow of information – due to domestic restrictions – often goes from the source and out to the international community via our program, which then builds a pressure for action that steadily makes its way back to the source through his or her own government.   However these cases in bulk create a narrative – and this is most important aspect of our program. As noted by Sri Lankan human rights lawyer and director of the Asian Human Rights Commission, Basil Fernando:

"The urgent appeal introduces narrative as the driving force for social change. This idea was well expressed in the film Amistad, regarding the issue of slavery. The old man in the film, former president and lawyer, states that to resolve this historical problem it is very essential to know the narrative of the people. It was on this basis that a court case is conducted later. The AHRC establishes the narrative of human rights violations through the urgent appeals. If the narrative is right, the organisation will be doing all right."

Patterns start to emerge as violations are documented across the continent, allowing us to take a more authoritative, systemic response, and to pinpoint the systems within each country that are breaking down. This way we are able to discover and explain why and how violations take place, and how they can most effectively be addressed. On this path, larger audiences have opened up to us and become involved: international NGOs and think tanks, national human rights commissions and United Nations bodies.  The program and its coordinators have become a well-used tool for the international media and for human rights education programs. All this helps pave the way for radical reforms to improve, protect and to promote human rights in the region.