From now until 23 February 2012, do something to urge the Prime Minister of India to immediately release Narayan Reddy and to ensure freedom of expression!

Who is Narayan Reddy?

Abhay Sahoo is the previous leader of the campaign and one of 11 others involved and facing false charges. Narayan Reddy has been leading the campaign since Sahoo's detention on 25 November 2011. ©Amnesty International

Narayan Reddy is the leader of a campaign that has been going on for seven years against the state from acquiring 1,600 hectares of land in five villages (the majority of which are common lands farmed by villagers) for a US$12 billion plant proposed by South Korean steel giant POSCO. He is also a leader of the Communist Party of India in the eastern state of Orissa.

What happened to Narayan Reddy?

On 23 December 2011, Reddy was detained after being charged with murder at a clash on 15 December 2011 between steel plant workers and local protesters against the steel plant – but we hear from our friends at AI that Reddy was not directly involved in this! In fact, AI believes that the charges are an attempt to silence Reddy’s ongoing campaign.

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Send a letter to the Prime Minister just by adding your name below! We will deliver all the letters to Prime Minister Singh directly using this website.

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Add your name AND copy and paste this link – http://bit.ly/xI4mpN - on Facebook and Twitter to share with your friends – can you challenge yourself to get 10 friends to take action?

Additional information:

Narayan Reddy is now in Samagol prison in Orissa state and his petition for release on bail has just been refused by the local courts but he will probably make further applications for bail again.

The planned steel plant is the biggest foreign direct investment project in India. However, for the last seven years, campaigners have blockaded the area, preventing the authorities and representatives of POSCO from gaining access to the area.

Narayan Reddy has been leading the campaign against the acquisition of the lands after Abhay Sahoo’s detention on 25 November 2011. Abhay Sahoo is also a leading member of the Communist Party of India in Orissa. The state has filed false charges against him and 10 other activists.

This is not the first case of human rights violations linked to land rights in Orissa or POSCO’s proposed steel plant:

• Tell the Chief Minister of Orissa to Stop Farmers from Being Kicked Out of Their Homes!
• Take Action NOW to Protect the Rights of Indigenous People in Orissa, India!

Join people all over the world to ask the French President to become a party to the Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights to ensure that victims of all human rights abuses in France will have access to remedies!

Why should YOU(th) take action?

France holds the presidency of G20

France holds the presidency of G20 and the upcoming G20 summit in November in Cannes will be an opportunity France to show its leadership in promoting and protecting Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.

Voices from young people in Asia Pacific – especially those in G20 countries – will add pressure to the French government to lead as an example by becoming a party to the Optional Protocol to the International Protocol to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.

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Add your name to the letter below! We will send your letters through our friends at AI by email with your full name and country as shown below.

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Add your name to the letter below AND share this link – http://bit.ly/mTJRdy – with at least 10 of your friends ask them to do the same.

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Want to do more for Economic, Social and Cultural Rights? Add to the Under US$2.0 Recipes – YOU(th) on Hunger & Poverty in Asia Pacific cook book report that aims to highlight how serious hunger & poverty is in Asia Pacific. All you have to go is share a recipe that costs less than US$2.0 to make in your country! Click here to add to the cook book now!

Additional Information

What’s the Optional Protocol of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights?

The International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights is an international agreement, adopted by the UN, that commits its parties to work towards economics, social and cultural rights (such as; health, education and labour rights). The Optional Protocol was side agreement made to ensure that people whose economic, social and cultural rights are violated can seek justice on the international level.

What’s the G20?

The G20 is a group of Finance Ministers from the world’s 20 major economies, including Japan, South Korea, India, Indonesia, Australia, and others. France holds the Presidency of the G20 this year so it’s really important we get them to sign up to the Protocol and make change happen.

Over 1,000 young people added to this Voice Bank in text, drawings, photos, and videos! Check out some of the highlights below (we will keep adding to this Voice Bank)!

YOU(th) can still take part in this – scroll down to add to the Voice Bank!

YOU(th) Voices from friends in Taiwan

YOU(th) Voices from friends in Singapore

Created with Admarket’s flickrSLiDR.

Here’s MORE from friends in Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Nepal, Pakistan, and the rest of the world!

From Bangladesh

“Living in dignity means living independently. without being totally dependent on others.”

“Living in dignity is living with respect.”

“When a person is confident about what he is doing and honest, he can live in dignity.”

“When one is proud of what he or she is and what he/she have he can live in dignity.”

“Living in dignity is independence.”

From India

“Ability to voice concern and fight injustice and Availability of chance for economic mobility.”

From Indonesia

“Sesuai dengan fitrah umat manusia, manusia hidup penuh dengan kecintaan satu dengan yang lain. Saling menghargai dan menghormati merupakan kewajiban bagi setiap manusia. Kita tentu tak ingin diperlakukan tidak nyaman dan tidak fair oleh orang lain, maka lakukanlah hal serupa kepada orang sesuai apa yang kita harapkan. Dan sangat tidak asyik jika pada zaman ini masih ada diskriminasi dan pelanggaran hak asasi terhadap suatu individu atau kelompok.”

“Menurut saya konsep hidup yang bermartabat adalah hidup dengan semangat terjaga-terkendali dan pola pikir dewasa –yaitu menghormati diri sendiri dan selanjutnya orang lain. Melakukan perbuatan (to do) yang menjadikan (to be) sosok diri yang bernilai, memiliki arti, bermanfaat, bukan sekadar bagi dirinya, namun kepada orang lain, tanpa secuil pun dalam proses dan tujuannya merampas hak pihak lain.

Hidup bermartabat yang sejati, bukan sekedar memiliki akses untuk mendapatkan dan memiliki kemudahan dalam keseharian, melainkan lebih pada pola hidup yang menerapkan keberpihakkan terhadap nilai-nilai kebenaran dan kebersamaan. Mengapa? Karena kebenaran sesungguhnya ada. Kebersamaan, adalah mutlak adanya.

Akibatnya, indikator manusia sukses yaitu kepemilikan objek benda dan keberhasilan mengangkat derajat hidup dirinya (self glory) dalam suatu pranata sosial, hanya dapat diklaim wajar jika diraih tanpa merenggut hak pihak lain. Inilah kebenaran individu yang diharapkan terakumulasi menjadi kemanfaatan bersama.

Kendati tak dapat dipungkiri bahwa kondisi ketimpangan adalah suatu keniscayaan, namun melakukan usaha-usaha agar ketimpangan itu tergerus menjadi adil dan tepat dengan kemanusian merupakan tanggungjawab setiap insane. Melakukan usaha-usaha tersebut yang disebut hidup bermartabat. Usaha untuk menghindari diri terjebak pada kesimpangsiuran posisi antara manusia dengan manusia lainnya maupun manusia dengan objek benda yang dimilikinya, yang saat ini, tanpa disadari, mendorong manusia bertukar posisi menjadi objek dari apa yang telah dimilikinya dan menjadi budak ketakutan atas kehilangan objek tersebut.”

“I think it’s having the freedom to make your own decisions without the judgment of others burdening you because you know your self-worth will always conquer the opinions of people
around you.”

“I guess dignity means being happy in yourself.”

“To me, dignity means respecting yourself.”

“I think dignity means to live fully without sacrificing your integrity or identity.”

“Living with dignity means not having to compromise all the time, to live in peace, to be who I am.”

“Not doing wrong to others, living without ego but not living without none.”

“Dignity means more than pride or worthiness to me. It also includes self-respect and being able to be respected as who you are and your values. Treating others with dignity is treating others the way we would like to be treated, ex. caring about others; everyone has the right to be treated with respect. Dignity is also being able to be granted our fundamental rights as human beings and being granted freedom.”

“Dignity simply put, is the ability to live simply but also to simply inspire other’s awe to create a sense of self-worth.”

“To me living with dignity is when you live by practicing all good moral values, so that when you die people will talk about the amazing things that you have done in your lifetime.”

“Dignity means to be able to feel proud of whatever you have. Not going around boasting to others, but appreciating whatever you have and feeling satisfied with your life.”

“It means getting the respect that everyone deserves equally.”

“Dignity is the quality in a person that dictates how he carries himself.”

“I guess it’s pride.”

“Doing what is required.”

“Honor? Pride?”

“Well, dignity is something that everyone has, but depending on someone’s personality, their values are different. An arrogant person may have lots of dignity, and might not do anything stupid because it risks damaging their dignity, whereas a person like me, someone who doesn’t care much about dignity, will do something stupid because they don’t care.”

From Nepal

“For me it means the the equal access to every rights, services or privileges provided by the government to its citizens.”

“In short it is guarantee of social justice,respect of human rights  and forum to develop one’s potentiality.”

“I  think I will feel dignified if I get my basic human rights, can exercises the same privileges as my fellow colleagues and get opportunity according to my knowledge and skills.But I am cautious that when I seek dignity in my life I have to think about the dignity of others as well.”

“Dignity is all about equity, respect of basic human rights and fight against discrimination.”

“Its a respect of my inherent right to decide about myself.The way I behave and the way I live are my choices provided that I don’t interfere with the rights of others”

“For me, in simple terms, living a life of dignity means I get basic human rights to exercise,food to eat ,access to education and health and provision of job according to my skills.The society where my kids can laugh and play,the country where I don’t suffer  discrimination and the world where I can work independently can provide the dignity that I pursue in life.”

“Everybody deserves a human respect and I am not the exception. No body can be a exception just because he is financially weak, physically challenged or educationally underprivileged. Living with dignity means the guarantee of this human respect”

“If we have full control of our life and enable others to do so, a life of dignity will exist.”

“Its simple, work according to one’s skill and ability and payment according to one’s need.Its human dignity.”

From Pakistan

“Self Respect”

“To be respected for my beliefs, aspirations and hopes”

“To live a life where you have an adequate level of resources and rights. By resources, I mean that a person should be provided the basic necessicities of life like food, clothes, shelter and water. Also, one should have the fundamental rights he needs to survive in a society, like security, privacy, freedom of speech, freedom of movement etc.”

“Access to justice, basic necessities of life like health, education and housing facilities, and equal opportunities to grow.”

“It means having the freedom to live as you want to.”

“Being in Pakistan, living in dignity means getting 2 meals a day and a shelter to rest after all day struggle.”

“Meeting one’s basic social and economic needs and enjoying basic human rights.”

“Not bowing to the overpowering wrong.”

“To earn respect from others and being appreciated for it”

“Serving Pakistan and Islam without slacking in my required (and relevant) duties and also, without giving up the morals of unity, faith, discipline and truthfulness.”

“To have the freedom and means available to make the choice that i want to make.”

“Protection of your life and provision of your basic needs (electricity, health, education etc)  by the government.”

“Freedom to choose, freedom to decide. Respect for the choices”

“To me it is the ability to express my self and that people respect my opinion.”

“Living in dignity means not having to surrender your faith, life or assets to any human or non-human entity”

“Not having to constantly worry about somebody screwing me over just because I lack the financial resources to manipulate legal/bureaucratic processes to my own advantage.”

“Living with all the legitimate rights and freedoms.”

“To compete and  survive among the social elite.”

“Having the rights to education and decision making, unlike what happens in the patriarchal societies, is living in dignity.”

“Not having to put up with unwarranted crap from someone solely because they enjoy a better social/financial status. A basic right, sadly not afforded to many in our country.”

“Being content with your current lifestyle and fortune without being subject to derision from society being able to live with your head up; its about not being ashamed of who or what you are.”

“Being respected!”

“One may live in dignity by enjoying a lack of hindrace from the state or the society in the acquisition of basic necessities and privileges such as food, housing, knowledge and freedom of religious observance.”

“Dignity is the line between how others will treat you when things go bad.”

“Living in dignity is when you are judged by what you say and what you do instead of being judged by things that are beyond your control or influence.”

“Living in dignity is wen u can walk tall with respect knowin that ur fundamental necessities are bein fullfilled and tht u can practice ur basic rights (such as speech, religion, property and idelogy) with out the fear ov any external element\force takin it away you or interfering with them.”

“Having respect for yourself and respect for others.”

“Living in dignity is not having to depend on someone for your needs.”

“Living in dignity is all about respect regardless of the standard of living, sufferings and/or dominant circumstances.”

“Living in dignity is when you are respected by others and yourself.”

“Living in dignity means living without fear…fear of losing your life…fear of practising your religion…fear of wondering how you will pay for your next meal…fear of losing yourself…”

“Living with dignity means not having to depend on anyone other than God.”

“Taking control of one’s life and enabling others to do so by providing them with support.”

“Living with dignity means to live with a freedom which encompasses one’s heart, mind and soul.”

From the rest of the world

“Living in dignity means enabling people to live their lives and providing them with access to basic services so that they can provide for themselves”

ADD TO THE VOICE BANK NOW!

Young activists from the region shared their views on MDGs and discussed with fellow youth why Human Rights need to be included in the MDGs and how to make sure Human Rights sit on the very core of one of the most important global plans to end poverty.

The APYN is pleased to report the following accomplishments:

•    About 140 volunteer-facilitators from countries – Bangladesh, Brunei, Fiji, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, New Zealand, Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Vietnam,  hosted ‘Meet on MDGs’ to answer, with about five (or more!) friends, five simple yet important questions on Human Rights and MDGs. See the five questions here.

•    Around 50 registered their thoughts on MDGs through the individual online response form.

•    Another 30 showed their support by lacing their Facebook profile picture with the APYN for Human Rights and MDGs. You can still add it to your profile just click through here

•    There were 87 individuals who donated their Facebook status to call government leaders to not ignore Human Rights in efforts ending poverty. You can still donate your status here for adhoc updates from APYN on Human Rights and the MDGs, just click through here

Next steps:

Our next steps are to collate the responses to inform the next stages of the campaign – we are looking to provide a tool that everyone can use to continuining this campaign in local communities! So stay in touch and look out for the next opportunity to be involved!

Nathan, Krystyna, Wen Yu, Nia, Divya, Suman, Javed, Gaem, Peter, Nafiz, Stella & Scarlett
APYN MDGS Youth Campaign Team
(The Youth Campaign Team is a team of young volunteers from nine different countries who have developed and implemented this campaigning activity through connecting online!)

An opportunity for YOU to be part of an Asia Pacific-wide campaign on MDGs and its relationship with human rights

APYN wants YOUR ideas on the link between human rights and MDGs!

There is no right or wrong – we want YOUR views and ideas in answer of these five questions. Just fill in this form below!

This activity is now closed. You may sign up to receive updates on upcoming activities on the MDGs.

By submitting your views, you allow for the use of this information as outlined here

WHAT’S THE PROBLEM?

Although the MDGs have been very particular in issues such as gender equality, child care, diseases and environmental concerns, it remains shut off to the discussion of human rights issues. Though many countries have addressed the eight goals cited in the development plan, their actions remain futile as it has yet to reach the human rights standards. Although the MDGs hope to change the
world by 2015, it has yet to reach the people at the most basic level of society.

Millions of people continue to face a daily struggle to live in dignity. In 2000, countries around the world agreed to 8 Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) as a global initiative to eradicate poverty by 2015. Ten years on – five years from the deadline – these goals are still not a reality. Progress has been made, but it has been unequal.

Why do the MDGs need to consider Human Rights?
The Millennium Development Goals are largely silent on human rights, and the targets they set are in some cases less than what states are already obligated to do under international law. For example, the MDGs contain no explicit requirement that states identify and address exclusion and discrimination. The targets and indicators for many of the goals do not acknowledge the variety of human rights factors that drive and deepen poverty. Integrating international human rights standards into MDG efforts could lead to more meaningful progress on the MDGs in the next five years. This would require that governments review all MDG initiatives and efforts to ensure their consistency with human rights; address discrimination experienced by women and other groups; set appropriate national targets, both in terms of levels of progress that should be achieved on particular issues and those prioritized; fulfil the right to participation; and strengthen mechanisms for accountability.

SO WHAT NOW?
This coming September marks 5 years until the deadline of the Millennium Development Goals. Hence, a special review summit is to be held in New York to study the progress of one the most widely supported development plans in the world that targets the alleviation of poverty. In response to the growing concern over the issue of human rights in the MDGs, the Asia Pacific Youth Network has come up with the Meet on MDGs. The campaign aims to gather the responses of the youth to five questions pertaining to the MDGs and collate these responses before September 25, 2010. It’s easy for you to get involved and include YOUR VOICE on the MDGs!

More info? Check out here: http://www.apyouth.net/2010/07/mdgs/

WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO OUR RESPONSES?

APYN will collate the responses and use YOUth views to inform the best next steps for these ideas! These ideas include delivery opportunities to decision makers, creative tools development that we can all use and feeding the responses into other campaigns to add youth voices from the Asia Pacific. We may also include responses in other campaigns and actions such as the Amnesty International (((Demand Dignity))) campaign.

This activity is now closed. You may sign up to receive updates on upcoming activities on the MDGs.

An opportunity for YOU to be part of an Asia Pacific-wide campaign on MDGs and its relationship with human rights

APYN wants YOU to volunteer to be a ‘Meet on MDGs’ Facilitator!”

Do you wish to be part of a great campaign for human rights to be included in the Millennium Development Goals? Be a ‘Meet on MDGs’ facilitator and hold meets of young individuals to answer five simple questions:

1. What can you buy with $US 1.25 (a day) in your hometown?
2. Please list the MDGs in order of importance to you
3. Which human rights in the UDHR are NOT covered by the MDGs
4. If you were the leader of your country, how would you include human rights in the  MDGs?
5. What is one thing you can do to make the MDGs real?

Register here now and you will receive the facilitation kit! You can also Join Us! now

This activity is now closed. You may sign up to receive updates on upcoming activities on the MDGs.

“August is the month dedicated for the promotion and protection of the Indigenous Peoples’ rights. In August 9, we celebrate the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples. This is a good opportunity for young people across the globe to advance the goal of fortifying an international solidarity for the solution of the problems faced by the indigenous peoples. This is an opportunity for youth to stand up and demand that government ensures that indigenous peoples are free to exercise their rights to health, education and social and economic development.

From August 2009 to January this year, Asia Pacific Youth Network in the Philippines facilitated the (((Youth Poses for Dignity))) where more than 2000 youth voices (in the form of photos), including some 90 from indigenous young people themselves, were collected. These 2000 plus (((Youth Poses for Dignity))) which focus on the call for the respect of Indigenous Peoples’ rights are collated into collages. Above are some of the final product.

We invite you to be part of our advocacy and make this world a place where a genuine respect for human rights is present.”

And here’s a great film of developed by friends at AI Philippines:‘Like You, We have Rights Too. Young Indigenous Peoples – Voices of the Young Indigenous Peoples’

part one: part two: 

& a shout out to our friends at the Asia Pacific Indigenous Youth Network

We are looking forward to hearing your views! Submit them here! Remember to submit before September 25!

Please note also that by submitting information on the form above, you are providing consent to the terms and conditions, code of conduct and privacy and information principles here

Already part of APYN? If not, join here now!

Ask your friends to meet with you and answer 5 questions to share your ideas on how the MDGs are working in your country!

5 Questions: Tell us where your country is on the MDGs!

1. What does $US1.25 a day buy you in your hometown?
2. Which MDGs are important to you?
3. Which  human rights in the UDHR are NOT covered by the MDGs?
4. If you were the leader of your country, how would you include human rights in the MDGs?
5. What is one thing you can do to make the MDGs real?

Submit your answers and add your thoughts to amplify young people’s ideas on the MDGs!

When to hold your ‘Meet on MDGs’: Between July 20 and September 25, 2010.

This activity is now closed. You may sign up to receive updates on upcoming activities on the MDGs.

When you have had your ‘Meet on MDGs’ it would be really great if you could fill out the Outcomes Sheet! This will allow your views to be collated with other people’s on the MDGs!

Want to know how your country is going? Check out these links! MDGs monitor and UNDP

Questions and Answers

Q: Do I need to know alot about the MDGs in order to take part?

A: No! This is about you and your friends reflecting on what you think! There are lots of resources and information about the MDGs so you may wish to do some pre-reading, but this is about what you think!

Q: Do I need to register for this?

A: Yes, you need to register and host your Meet on MDGs between July 20, 2010 and 25 September, 2010!

Q:  Is this a public activity?

A: No, this is you asking your friends, people you know, to discuss these issues and then sharing these views. However, if you’d like to run a public activity or event, please contact apyncampaigns@gmail.com

Q: Does this cost anything?

A: No, as you are asking your friends, consider where you’d like to meet, it might be at home, school, work or your favourite hangouts. It doesn’t have to be a ‘big event’ more like a small meeting of your friends. Think about where you normally see your friends, and consider turning the next time you meet them, into a ‘Meet on MDGs’.

Q: Do my responses need to be in English?

A: It’s great if you can provide your answers in your own language and English, however, if this is difficult, please provide in your own language. Perhaps one of your friends might be able to help with translations. If you have problem using the outcomes form, you can always email apyncampaigns@gmail.com with the details of your Meet on MDGs and then the answers to the questions!

Q: Do I need permission to hold a ‘meet on MDGs’?

A: It might be best to ask wherever you decide to meet (eg if you are meeting at home, ask the people you live with, at school or work, whoever you need to ask to use the space etc). Remember though, this isn’t ‘public’ events – you are inviting your friends to participate in these discussions.

Q: How does this activity affect change?

A: Community discussions are the first step to increasing awareness on issues. Every person you speak with about issues that concern you is one more person that may consider the issue you care about.

APYN also wants to collate you and your friends views, with others from around the region, to provide a small insight into young people’s reflection on the MDGs. This is why we ask for your feedback. We can then, depending on the volume of responses, look at different ways to amplify the messages that are coming through from young people around the region about the MDGs. While official country reports have already been prepared and submitted for review of the MDGs, we think that your reflections are important!

Q: Great, I’ve organized and hosted my ‘Meet on MDGs’ and provided the Outcomes Sheet, what can I do now?

A: You can join the MDGs youth campaign team and continue to work on this – and other campaigns related to human rights and poverty.

What are the MDGs?

In 2000, leaders from around the world agreed on 8 development goals to be achieved by 2015. These goals are seen as a framework by which development can be measured. If these goals were to be achieved, world poverty would be halved.

The goals are outlined below:

Goal 1: Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger

Goal 2: Achieve universal primary education

Goal 3: Promote gender equality and empower women

Goal 4: Reduce Child Mortality Rate

Goal 5: Improve maternal health

Goal 6: Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria, and other diseases

Goal 7: Ensure environmental sustainability

Goal 8: Develop a global partnership for development

More information on Youth and MDGs

How do the MDGs relate to human rights?

Governments risk failing some of the world’s most impoverished and vulnerable groups unless human rights are put at the centre of efforts to eradicate poverty. The MDGs relate to human rights issues but there is a large divide between the current MDGs framework and international human rights standards.

The world’s most prominent global initiative against poverty, the UN Millennium Development Goals, is largely silent on human rights. The human rights basis for the goals is evident:  universal primary education, promotion of gender equality, improvements in maternal health, to name just a few. But unlike the legal requirements bound in international human rights instruments, progress toward these goals is largely thought to be a matter of goodwill rather than a legal obligation.

For more information, please visit here

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