There are Extraordinary Women in our Organizations

Interview  with  Khedija  Arfaoui,  Women’s  Rights  Activist

By Sussan Tahmasebi

Tuesday 8 March 2011

Tunisian Women’s Groups Unite for Change

Q: As a feminist activist were you surprised by the developments in Tunisia?

Like everyone else here I had come to believe that the situation was going to last forever. Opposition groups were constantly spied upon, including their whereabouts, regular mail, e-mail, travels, telephone calls, etc and were victims of violence. Ben Ali, his wife and their clans controlled the entire economy of the country. They also controlled the media, such as newspapers, magazines, radio stations, the Internet and Television channels. As a matter of fact, they were so sure of themselves, they so firmly believed that the country’s riches rightfully belonged to them that they conducted their business very openly, so much so that everybody knew about all what they were doing, or almost so.

The events in 2008 and even more recently that took place in the southern region of Tunisia, most particularly in Gafsa mining basin and the hard line adopted by the government to silence protestors demonstrating for their right to work also seemed to mean there was no hope for change.

Civil society did a lot to draw attention to the situation in Gafsa and asked for the freedom of those imprisoned but to no avail. However, the stand taken by the General Labor Union of Tunisian Workers (UGTT) proved to be confrontational, showing that the trade union had started distancing itself from the government.

What happened in Sidi Bouzid could have been unsuccessful, like past efforts intent on drawing the government’s attention to the situation of unemployed graduates and the impact of unemployment. The marches that followed young Bouazizi’s immolation and death had the support of UGTT and this was significant support. The country needed a strong support. Helping the young unemployed population—whether they were college graduates or not—to organize protests and draw attention to their plight. These protests were followed by different sectors taking stands and denouncing the corruption: lawyers, journalists, medical doctors and civil society. Corruption and bad governance were at the root of this revolution

Yes, I was surprised, because, until then, nobody had dared organize marches (they were prohibited), and suddenly, everybody, throughout the country was in the street, demanding change. Suddenly, people seemed not to be afraid any more. And there were no bearded Islamists among the crowds. They were mostly youth of both sexes.

Q: What factors (besides the self-immolation of Mohamed Bouazizi on December 17) do you think contributed to the protests in Tunisia that resulted in the ousting of Ben Ali?

I have answered this question to some degree, but mainly the firm stand taken by UGTT in support of the marches was a factor in these protests. The support given by civil society but also different sectors like lawyers and journalists, who also stood up in the streets denouncing the many corruptions they knew about and having people speak out their grievances and the injustices they had suffered. The outburst of anger and protest that had taken place a few years earlier in the mining Basin of Gafsa that had been violently repressed was not forgotten either as there still were people in jail. Our national media did not report on all of these developments because the media belonged to the “families” to the Ben Alis, Trabelsis, Matris, but the Internet provided information and the information was spread through videos via the Internet, particularly on facebook. The youth and others uploaded their videos immediately to make them available.

Q: What role did civil society, including NGOs and workers unions play in these uprisings?

Civil society also used Facebook to send information. Although civil society had no access to the media, it never stopped addressing the issues, organizing meetings to discuss them, looking for ways to help, informing the world about the situation, getting in touch with the families, sending petitions to the government, providing help. ATFD (The Tunisian Association of Democratic Women, but also AFTURD, the Tunisian League for Human Rights…) have continually campaigned against injustice.

Q: Women’s NGOs held a protest on January 29. What were your demands and why did you feel the need to hold a women’s protest?

Women’s NGOs together with other organizations marched to demand equality, dignity, citizenship, and equality. My personal belief is that if a new constitution is to be drawn, now is the time to express these claims. Our first President, Habib Bourguiba promulgated the Code of Personal Status immediately after independence in 1956. So, the time to claim these rights is now, particularly with the return (after a more than twenty years of exile) of Sheikh Rashed Ghannouch, the leader of El Nahdha, the Islamist party, who in the mid 1980s had stated he was against the Code of Personal Status and for polygamy. Therefore, the march was for protecting the gains brought by the Code of Personal Status.

Q: The women’s protest was disrupted by some Islamic groups. Do you feel that with the changes in Tunisia, women face the possibility of losing some of their hard won rights?

I really hope not. But, one never knows for sure. We have to be vigilant. Women’s and men’s protest against Islamism (and not against Islam which is our religion and part of our identity) was disrupted by some Islamic groups that shouted things like: “Women at home, in the kitchen!” but also by other rioters, probably belonging to the “families,” who have been responsible of many of the riots we have seen in the country.

Q: Have secular women’s groups and Islamic women’s groups engaged in any collaboration or dialogue? What does the relationship of these groups in Tunisia look like?

I do not think so. For the time being, we are and must remain vigilant, making sure first that nothing happens to what we already have: the gains we made in 1956 with the promulgation of the Code of Personal Status and the few others that were added in the 1990s and later have to remain. We believe in every group’s right to exist, provided no one infringes on anybody’s rights.

Q: What role are women playing in the transition to democracy? Are women included in the transition government? And have women’s NGOs advocated for the inclusion of women and a women’s agenda in the transition government?

I have to tell you that we are deeply disappointed by the fact that there are only three women in this provisional government: one is minister of health (she is a medical doctor), the second is in charge of the ministry of women, the third is secretary of State of Higher Education.

No woman has been appointed among the governors, no woman has been appointed as chair of a company.

For a country that prides itself on having a Code of Personal Status that is the most advanced in the whole Arab world, it is rather disappointing.

Women NGOs are mobilized to stand for their rights and for the inclusion of women in the next government. They are busy working on strategies to sensitize women and youth on the importance of elections, of secularism, particularly on the separation of religion from the State, making it clear that it does not mean being against Islam which is our religion, rather emphasizing that religion is something personal and that it does not have to infringe on people’s freedom.

Q: What was the situation of women’s NGOs in Tunisia before these recent developments? When we spoke 2 years ago, you mentioned that women’s NGOs like other organizations faced a lot of pressure and restrictions, but managed to do some work toward women’s rights. What issues were they focused on?

Before January 14, or until that date, the situation of the two single autonomous women’s NGOs was like the few other autonomous NGOs (The Tunisian League of Human Rights, Amnesty International, etc.). We had the police in front of our offices, our mail, telephones, email… were under constant scrutiny. We knew that whatever we said was listened to. Some of us had their cars broken into. Lawyers like great activist Radhia Nasraoui often had her office broken into and her files taken away. We had no access to the media—none of them, newspapers, radio stations, TV channels. We could not hold our seminars or general assemblies in a public place. Even when we travelled we had our suitcases’ locks broken and our belongings searched. All of these pressures impacted people’s attitudes towards us and they avoided us so as to not face problems because of their association with our groups.

In spite of all of that, women activists were able to address many significant issues like violence against women. When ATFD started working on this issue, the government’s immediate response was that there was no such thing as violence against women in our country. The same was said about sexual harassment and poverty. The funny thing is that later on, when these issues were presented as key issues at the UN and elsewhere, the government took up to these issues. President Bin Ali’s wife, who as you may know, was aspiring to become the next president of Tunisia, adding to our achievements since 1956: the first Arab country to have a female president! Indeed, she had started expressing feminist views as if she were the one who had invented them, never mentioning not even the pioneer feminist of the early 1930s, totally ignoring the women fighting for women’s rights for several decades already in spite of their limited means and the obstacles they faced. Examples of these obstacles include the blocking of the funds that NGOs received, forcing them into a very difficult situation where they were not even able to pay their rent, or their staff and researchers.

CEDAW is a major concern, and several campaigns were organized in Tunisia and abroad particularly with our Algerian and Moroccan sisters.

Q: You were sentenced to serve time in prison last year. Can you tell us about that? Why were you handed such a sentence, what were the charges against you and did you go to prison? Were such prison terms for women’s rights activists common under the rule of Ben Ali? How about for other civil society activists?

I had received a message on Facebook warning about the kidnapping of children at a kindergarten in Tunis and of course, I was asked to forward it, which I did, believing it was true as the rumor had been circulating all over the country for some time already, with newspapers denying this news. I had not written the message, they knew the name of the person that had sent it to me, but they chose me I suppose because I belonged to an autonomous women’s groups and attended meetings organized by several opposition groups. I was a good scapegoat in the scenario they had planned to silence the opposition particularly as it was a period of elections.

I had to appear in court four times, with lots of police around, checking on who was attending as if I were a terrorist. I never went to jail, although their reports on the media stated I was in jail. My sentence was 8 months suspended prison term. This meant that if I made any “mistake” I would be taken to jail immediately to serve my sentence. As a result, I took a very low key approach to my work and did not attend any meetings, etc.

Q: How do you envision the priorities of women’s NGOs will change in a more open social and political environment?

Women activism will continue but this time we will be free to organize and meet in public places. We will have access to media outlets, and we are seeing this already as TV stations come to our offices and report on our activities now. We never could dream of such things before. We will be able to reach more people now. ATFD is already thinking about opening branches in other cities, which we could not before. Women activists are seen on TV channels, they are invited to talk at round-tables. All of this is new. And believe me there are extraordinary women in our organizations.

** Dr. Khedija Arfaoui is a Tunisian women’s rights activists and member of the Feminist Association of Tunisian Women for Research and Development and founder of the Association of Development and Protection of the Environment.   Courtesy : We Change

Amnesty urges Saudi Arabia to Allow Peaceful Protests

Mon, Mar 7, 2011 at 10:14 PM

Amnesty International Urges Saudi Arabia to Allow Peaceful Protests, After Government Bans Right to Legitimate Demonstrations and Detains 24 People 
Organization Also Calls for Investigation Into Reports Police Beat and Kicked Protesters in city of al-Qatif 

New York : Amnesty International today called on the Saudi Arabian government to allow peaceful protests, saying a ban on all demonstrations in the kingdom was “outrageous.”  The organization also called for an investigation into the detention last week of about 24 people after peaceful protests and assaults by police on others.

On Saturday, the Ministry of Interior said security forces would take “all necessary steps against those who attempt to disrupt order.” Authorities confirmed the ban on protests, which was first referred to in 2008.

Further protests are planned for Friday amid growing calls for reform in the country.

 “The Saudi Arabian authorities have a duty to ensure freedom of assembly and are obliged under international law to allow peaceful protests to take place,” said Philip Luther, deputy director of Amnesty International’s Middle East and North Africa Program.

“They must act immediately to end this outrageous restriction on the right to legitimate protest.”

Some 24 people were detained last Thursday and Friday following protests in the city of al-Qatif, denouncing the prolonged detention of Shi’a prisoners.

Police in al-Qatif kicked and beat with batons at least three of the protesters, who were taking part in an apparently peaceful demonstration supporting nine Shi’a community members who have been detained without trial for over 14 years.

The arrests came a week after prominent Shi’a cleric Sheikh Tawfiq Jaber Ibrahim al-’Amr was arrested following a sermon calling for reforms in Saudi Arabia. He was released without charge on Sunday.

“The Saudi authorities must investigate reports of beatings of protesters by security forces. They should also ensure that those detained are either charged with recognizable offenses and tried fairly or released,” said Luther.

“While in detention they must be protected from torture and other ill-treatment, and given regular access to their family, lawyers and medical,” he said.

Most of the protesters are believed to be held in a police station in al-Dhahran, a city in Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province.

Among those arrested are Shi’a activists Hussain al-Yusef and Hussein al-‘Alq, who have written for the Shi’a website www.rasid.com, which often details arrests of and discrimination against members of the Shi’a community.

The nine members of the Shi’a community in prolonged detention were arrested in connection with the 1996 bombing of a U.S. military complex in al-Khobar in which 20 people were killed and hundreds injured.

According to reports, they were interrogated, tortured and denied access to lawyers and had no opportunity to challenge the legality of their detention.

Calls for reform, including for a constitutional monarchy and greater political freedoms, and for the release of people detained without charge or trial in Saudi Arabia have grown louder in recent weeks amid protests spreading across the Middle East and North Africa.

Background

In 2008, following a protest against Israel’s military action in Gaza, the Ministry of Interior, was reported to have said that protests in Saudi Arabia were banned.

Those who defy this ban are often held incommunicado without charge and denied access to the courts to challenge the legality of their detention.

Critics of the Saudi Arabian government face gross human rights violations at the hands of security forces under the control of the Ministry of Interior.

They are often held incommunicado without charge, sometimes in solitary confinement, prevented from consulting lawyers and denied access to the courts to challenge the lawfulness of their detention.

Torture or other ill-treatment is frequently used to extract confessions from detainees, to punish them for refusing to “repent”, or to force them to make undertakings not to criticize the government. Incommunicado detention in Saudi Arabia often lasts until a confession is obtained, which can take months and occasionally years.

Amnesty International is a Nobel Peace Prize-winning grassroots activist organization with 3 million supporters, activists and volunteers in more than 150 countries campaigning for human rights worldwide. The organization investigates and exposes abuses, educates and mobilizes the public, and works to protect people wherever justice, freedom, truth and dignity are denied. 

# # # 

How The Steel Was Tempered ?

Comrade Parduman Singh

I was born on March 7, 1924 at Jehlum (now in Pakistan). I was educated at various district headquarters in Punjab due to regular transfers of my father. I graduated from the prestigious Government College Lahore (Capital of West Pakistan) in 1944. During my student days, I was active in the student movement as also in the freedom movement. While I was in 10th class, I organized a strike in my School (Balmukand Khatri High School) in Amritsar on January 26, 1940, which is now celebrated as Republic Day. Further I took part in various strikes in College days at Layalpur (now in West Punjab) on students demands. 1 was very active during great Bengal Famine in 1943-44 in collecting funds for rendering help to the distressed people.

After completing my studies, I joined the Sarvodya Programme of Gandhi Ji alongwith a friend by going to a village and cleaning the streets and by dispensing medicines for elementary diseases to poor people in a village near Amritsar.

During the days of partition in 1947, I worked actively for amelioration of sufferings of refugees from and to Pakistan and saved the lives of many innocent victims. After this, both of us were offered Officer's jobs by the Government but I declined because Congress had accepted partition of the Country.My friend accepted the job and retired as DPI in Punjab Government.

I joined the Communist Party of India and became a whole timer of the party. The life of party whole timers was very hard. I alongwith other whole timers in the CPI/AlTUC used to get monthly wage at the rate of Rs. 20 per month during the fifties. Any of us who got monetary help from family members or friends had to deposit it in the party fund.

To live in a monthly wage of Rs. 20 was quite difficult even in those days when we were young. What I did was to eat four chapatis with free dal at Dhaba at 10 AM and eat four chapatis at 6 PM. There was no money for tea or break fast. Rs. 5 was spent on other necessary items. This went on for many years. The wage was raised to Rs. 30 per month which the minimum wage for unskilled workers fixed by the State Government. None of us was satisfied because we had dedicated our lives for the revolution to bring socialism in the country. It was a question of dedication to the cause of socialism.

I was elected secretary of the Punjab State Committee of A.I.T.U.C. during that period. I was elected a member of All India General Council in 1953 and its all India Vice president in 1994. I wrote my first book on History of Trade Union Movement in Amritsar in 1980.

In the Communist party I was elected the secretary of Amritsar City Committee of CPI and subsequently of state council and state Executives of the party. The Amritsar Unit of the party took part in elections to the state Assembly and Municipal Corporation. I also took up all national and International issues.

During the period 1980-1992, when terrorism held sway in punjab, I was among those who mobilised and involved not only the workers but all the people against terrorism and separation inspite of all the dangers involved. An all party committee was formed for this purpose.

We organised Prabhat Pheris and Mohalla Meetings in various parts of the city. The committee including CPl(M), Congress, BJP, Janta Dal and Akalis was formed at my initiatives and as the secretary of the city committee of CPI I acted as convener of this Committee.

During eighties and beginning on nineties Amritsar was the epicenter of terrorist activities in Punjab. The Communists took on their activities very bravely without caring about their own safety. I give below a few instances:

On the day Punjab police DIG Atwal was shot dead at the steps of Golden Temple Complex, we were having a previously fixed general meeting of textile workers. One of our Comrades was having meetings of Brick Kiln workers. We heard the news of Atwal's murder. We consulted the leaders and the workers of both groups and decided to take out a protest march in the city. With Red flags and about two hundred fifty workers and their leaders raised the slogan of "ATTWAD WAKH AND MURDAbaad... Na HINDU RAJ Na KHALISTAN JUG JUG JIVE HINDUSTAN." We marched to the Hall Bazaar upto Kotwali and returned to Katra Jaimal Singh and then to Pink plaza Hall Bazaar, the shopkeepers got up from their seats and praised the bravery of communists and Fruit venders distributed their fruits freely amongst the processionists and praised the bravery of the Communists.

Some Communalists destroyed the model of Golden Temple situated at the Railway Station and a crude bomb was exploded by terrorists near Shiwala Bhaian. We organised a Keertan Darbaar in the presence of Guru Granth Sahib at the Railway Station. We invited the leaders of other parties to come and address the gathering. From there we organised a procession upto Shivala Bhaian. The Parbhandhak Committee of Shivala Bhaian arranged the Langer and sweets for the processionists.

Some Terrorist tried to muddle in Trade Union work. The AITUC and the CITU Left Trade Unions gave a call forGeneral Strike in the City on 31 st May, 1984, we- requested the workers to bring sticks, hockeys, kirpans alongwith them. Thousands of workers came from Chheharta, Haripura, Batala Road, came in processions to Putlighar Chowk where a big rally was organised. Afterwards we came to know that some young terrorists had collected in the Gurdwara Pipli Sahib, Putlighar with an intention to attack the workers. One religious minded person who was also sympathetic towards the workers told them that you are a few people whereas there were thousands of armed workers in the Putlighar Chowk. Hearing this the terrorists ran away. Another aspect of this strike and rally was that the then S.S.P was inimical towards the communists. Although previously he was informed about the strike and the rally, he sent only two constables and a head constable with sticks to guard the rally. Actually he wanted a clash.

After that the rally took out a procession to the Hall Bazaar and Kotwali and Jallianwala Bagh, to the Golden Temple complex and returned via Katra Jaimal Singh to Pink Plaza.

We brought out thousands of hand bills and posters. We held Prabhat Pheries and Mohalla meetings, throughout the city and organised rallies and processions at different places. The result was that inspite of throwing cow's tales and Heads of Pigs before the temples and Gurdwaras there was no communal incident in Amritsar throughout the ten years of terrorism in Punjab.

Ekta Bhawan Putlighar

It was announced from Darbar Sahib that Ekta Bhawan Putlighar which was the Headquarter of Communists should be attacked and destroyed. Some sympathisers told us.

I asked the whole timers and some other close Comrades to come and guard Ekta Bhawan. About 15 Comrades collected and stayed for about 15-20 days. One illegal Pistol and a few Kirpans were procured and stones and bricks were collected at the top of Ekta Bhawan. Comrades gave 24 hours guard duty. Food for them brought from their homes and houses of other Comrades living nearby.

As per decision of the All Parties Committee, many public meetings and processions were organised in which the leaders of all parties participated. The result of all these activities was that the people of Amritsar got involved in the fight against terrorism. The proof is that inspite of throwing of Cows' tales and heads of pigs by communalists, no Hindu Sikh clash took place during the entire period.

During this period CPI contested Punjab Assembly elections from Amritsar west constituency. In 1967, CPI candidate, Comrade Satya Pal Dang won by more than ten thousand votes by defeating the then Chief Minister of Punjab, Giani Gurmukh Singh Musafir. In 1969, he defeated veteran Congress leader Jai Inder Singh. CPI won this seat five times. In all these elections, I was the chief organiser of the party. I was elected a member of Amritsar Municipal Committee in 1967. Subsequently I was nominated by the party for the District Grievance Committee and District Planning Board. I did Commendable work in these above mentioned bodies for development of poor abadis and all aslums in Putlighar, Haripura, Chheharta and Purani Jail area. Achievements in development of other areas was impressive.

The CPI in Amritsar also took part in all national and international events. During wars with Pakistan, we organised canteens for the Army personal going towards the border.

During Vietnam war we organised processions against imperialism.

During the American inspired attack on Chief and murder of its president, we organised a two hours strike in all factories and took out a procession.

During trade union activities, I got interested in the field of social Security which was a neglected field at that time in the country. This interest was heightened when I was nominated to participated in various ILO National and International seminars, in one which I was elected chairman of the drafting committee. I was also made Chairman of a group of social security experts which drafted a comprehensive law on social security Experts Labour Law Association and Friedrich Ebert Stiftung Project. I was nominated by AITUC to the Regional Board of Employees State Insurance Corporation and remained a member for nearly 20 years. I was nominated by AITUC as a Trustee in Central Board of Trustees of Employees' Provident Fund in 1977 and continues to be a Trustee of that all India high level body till date. The entire corpus of nearly over Rs. 166,000 crores of rupees, vestes in this Board and it manages the Employees Provident Fund Organisation throughout the country. This fund has a membership of 42.74 crore workers- being one of the biggest social security organisations of the world.

In the 80s, I conceived an old age, disability and survivor's pension scheme for industrial workers who are members of Fund. I put my proposal before the Central Board of Trustees and eventually the Government of India promulgated such a pension scheme for nearly 40th crore private and public sector employees on 16.11.1995. In India apart from Government employees in the other employees in industry or in Public Sector could dream of getting pension after retirement. This pattern was subsequently adapted by Bank and Insurance employees, Journalists and University Teachers.

In a function held on 23.11.95 on completion of one year of the scheme, I was hailed as Father of Pension Schemeby P.A. Sangma, the then Labour Minister, Dr. L. Mishra, Secretary to Government of India, Department of India and at that time Secretary General, Lok Sabha said that I should be awarded a Golden Scroll of Honour for my contribution in evolving the Pension Scheme and making it acceptable to the workers.

At present nearly 35 lakh retired workers or in case of death during employment their widows and children are getting pension.

I felt that not enough was being done for development and extension of Social Security in India, even by the Trade Unions as well as by the Govt. I mooted the idea of forming the Non-Government Organisation (NGO) which was to be a non partisan organisation. At my initiative and with the active help of R. K. A. Subramania, former Chairman of the Central Board of Trustees of Employees Provident Fund and Addl. Secretary Labour, Social Security Association of India was formed in 1991 and was inaugurated by Dr. Manmohan Singh, the then Finance Minister, government of India.

I continued to be founder President of this organisation. I gave up this office of my own 2- 3 years back. The governing body elected me as Emeritus President of life. This organisation, is a body of high level social security experts academics, Labour economics, former functionaries of International Social Securities Association and International Labour Organisation, Officers of Social Security Organisation.

The two biggest Social Security Organisation i.e. Employees Provident Fund Organisation and Employees State Insurance Corporation are its international members. This association is devoted to research, study, training and development and extension of Social Security in India. It has already held many seminars, workshops, training camps, round tables in all parts of the country as well as an Asian seminar and has brought out many publication. The association has won National and international recognition in a short period of ten years.

I have authored many books on Social Security in India. Asia Pacific and in developing countries of Asia, Africa and South Africa. These publications include: -Social Security and struggle for human dignity in the developing countries, published in 1988 in English and French by world federation of Trade Unions. -A report on exempted Provident Funds as Chairman of a Committee of CBT. A manual of Social Security in India. -Social Security in Asia and Pacific.

�New approach to minimum wages as measure of social protection in three volumes. (Co-authored with R. K. A. Subramanya, Secretary General, Social Security Association of India.

*A monumental comparative study of Social Security System in 36 developing countries of Asia, Africa and South Africa.

*Protection for the elderly, the disabled and the survivor�s in India at the threshold of 21st century.

*Two booklets on Employees Pension Scheme in English and Hindi as well as in many regional languages.

*UN year for the elderly 1999 -towards a society for all ages. (as Editor) -Health protection in India in the year 2000.

*Unemployment Benefit schemes in Developing Countries. A case for unemployment scheme in India.

Five of the above mentioned books have been published by the German foundation Friendship Ebort Stiffling, copies of these books were sent to ILO and ISSA and these both level organisations have praised my research work in Social Security. Some of the books have world wide circulations.

I used to send two copies publication to International Labour Organisation (ILO) and International Security Association (ISSA). Dalmer D. Hoskins, Secretary General of IS SA wrote to me:

*I should like to extend to my sincerest congratulations on this comprehensive volume which constitutes an excellent compendium on the historical background and features of the wide range of old age, invalidity, and survivor's schemes existing in India at the National, State and Enterprise levels. It also pin points some of the crucial issues being faced in this field of Social Security. This publication will therefore be an important addition to our library and I am sure will be widely consulted by those wishing to have a complete picture of the various types of Social protection in India for the elderly, the disabled and the survivors.  

With my renewed thanks and wishing you continued success in your excellent efforts at disseminating information of Social Security in India, I remain. 

--Comrade Parduman Singh

From the New Age Central Organ of the Communist Party of India (CPI)(issue dated Saturday, August 05, 2006.)

Lynn Praises Work, Successes of IED-Defeat Agency

By Terri Moon Cronk  American Forces Press Service WASHINGTON, March 4, 2011 - Few Defense Department agencies have a more important mission than the Joint Improvised Explosive Device Defeat Organization, Deputy Defense Secretary William J. Lynn III told a Pentagon audience today. Deputy Secretary of Defense William J. Lynn III hosts a change of directorship ceremony for the Joint Improvised Explosive Device Defeat Organization in the Pentagon auditorium, March 4, 2011. Seated in the front row, at left, are the outgoing JIEDDO director, Army Lt. Gen. Michael L. Oates; the newly appointed incoming director, Army Lt. Gen. Michael D. Barbero; and Secretary of the Army John M. McHugh. DOD photo by R. D. Ward  The JIEDO, as it is known, leads the department's efforts to defeat the use of improvised explosive devices by insurgents in places like Iraq and Afghanistan. Speaking at the agency's change of directorship ceremony, Lynn joked about the agency's acronym. "The rule of thumb in Washington, I think, is 'the longer the acronym, the tougher the mission,' and that certainly applies to JIEDDO," Lynn said. Army Lt. Gen. Michael L. Oates, who is slated to retire, is passing JIEDDO's leadership baton to incoming commander Army Lt. Gen. Michael D. Barbero. JIEDDO has a "particularly complicated assignment," Lynn said, noting that during Oates' leadership of JIEDDO his charge was to improve upon the organization's many successes. Adding to that, Lynn said, was "an influx of tens of thousands of additional troops" into Afghanistan, which meant that "more men and women" would encounter the very threat Oates was tasked to defeat. Today, IEDs remain "the most-lethal threat we face in Afghanistan," Lynn said. "But under General Oates' leadership," he added, "the JIEDDO has worked hard to confront that challenge." Extraordinary resources, both monetary and human, were committed to address the dangers improvised explosives pose to troops, Lynn said. The investment in counter-IED technology and enhanced surveillance capabilities has proved integral in reducing attacks, he said. Barbero has served three tours in Iraq and for the past 18 months was the deputy commander in charge of advising and training Iraqi troops. As JIEDDO's commander, Barbero will employ skills that made him successful in Iraq, such as having "patience for [solving] a complicated problem, navigating the resources of a complex bureaucracy, and staying agile to keep our troops safe," Lynn said. The IED threat continues to evolve, the deputy secretary said. "Because of this, our military needs to continually innovate and improve our [anti-IED] strategy," he said, adding that JIEDDO is doing just that. "That's why its mission is so vital," Lynn said, adding that JIEDDO is at the forefront of efforts to meet the changing nature of conflict. "There's no greater mission than to protect our warriors as they go into harm's way," Barbero said. "And JIEDDO will continue to focus on and meet the needs of the warfighter."

Biographies: William J. Lynn III Army Lt. Gen. Michael L. Oates Lt. Gen. Michael D. Barbero Related Sites: Joint Improvised Explosive Device Defeat Organization

Annual Conference of Paediatric continued

The 6^th Annual Conference cum Workshop of Paediatric Endoscopic Surgeons of India (PESI-2011) is continued at CMC hospital Ludhiana. Conference cum Workshop is being organized by the Department of Paediatric Surgery, CMC, Ludhiana. The academic sessions were inaugurated on Friday  in the presence of distinguished International Faculty including Mr. Gordon MacKinlay, President of the British Association of Paediatric Surgeons, Prof. Long Li., Professor of Paediatric Surgery at the Capital Institution of Paediatrics, Beijing, China and Mr. Ashish Minocha, Consultant Paediatric Surgeon Norfolk & Norwich University Hospital, UK.

Jasbir Singh Khangura known as Jassi Khangura  MLA for Qila Raipur, was the Chief guest for the Inauguration Programme. He complimented the organizers for taking pains to organize such conferences for the upliftment of Medical Sciences and enhancing knowledge amongst the medical fraternity. He extended a warm welcome to delegates from all over the country and abroad to Ludhiana city, known as the “Manchester of India”.

Dr. Gurinder Singh Grewal, Member Punjab Medical Council also graced the occasion and promised 10 CME Credit hours to the delegates.

Dr. William Bhatti, Head of Paediatric Surgery, CMCL and Organizing Chairman PESI-2011, welcomed the participants and wished them a pleasant and memorable stay in Ludhiana City as well as an enriching PESI-2011. Dr. Abraham G. Thomas, Director, CMCL lauded the efforts of the Paediatric Surgery department for organizing this prestigious conference cum operative workshop and extended his best wishes to all the participants.

The scientific committee has prepared an exciting programme to suit the delegates with a wide range of expertise in the growing field of paediatric endoscopic surgery. Live operative workshops with interaction between the surgeon and the audience are being organized over the next two days to help improve surgical techniques and skills. The conference will also serve to expose current trends and discuss controversies on various aspects of paediatric endoscopic surgery in the Free Paper Presentation Sessions.          

A number of eminent specialists in the field of Paediatric Endoscopic Surgery will be participating in this conference from 4^th to 6^th March 2011. These include Dr. Reju J. Thomas (CMC, Vellore), Dr. Ketan Parikh (Mumbai), Dr. Mohan K. Abraham (AIMS, Kochi), Prof. K.L.N. Rao (PGI, Chandigarh), Prof. S. Ramesh (Bangalore), Dr. V. Sripathi (Chennai) and Dr. Mona Vashist (Amritsar, Punjab) among others.   

Dr. Anirudh Shah, Chairman PESI-IAPS said that this will be a great opportunity for exchange of knowledge in the field of Minimal Access Surgery in children.

Dr. Rasik Shah, Vice Chairman PESI–IAPS praised the efforts of the organizing committee under the leadership of Dr. William Bhatti, Dr. Dhruv Ghosh and Dr. Nandini K. Bedi, who worked hard to get renowned National and International Faculty to participate in the conference.

Dr. Ravindra Ramadwar, Secretary cum Treasurer PESI- IAPS, promised the participants a very informative and simulating CME programme, devoted to various aspects of Endoscopic Surgery in Children.

The programme was also attended by Dr. S. M. Bhatti, Principal, CMCL who released the Souvenir and Abstract Book PESI-2011 and Dr. Kanwal Masih, the Medical Superintendent, who wished the delegates a memorable and rewarding meeting....: Rector Kathuria & Shalu Arora

Bring Minister Bhatti’s Killers to Justice

Washington, D.C.: Amnesty International has called on Pakistan’s government to ensure the killers of Shahbaz Bhatti, the country’s minister for minorities, are brought to justice.
Bhatti, the only Christian member of the cabinet and one of the country’s few leading politicians calling for changes to the country's controversial blasphemy laws, died today after three armed men opened fire on his car as he travelled to work in the capital, Islamabad.
“The Pakistani government must act immediately to bring the assassins to justice in a trial that meets international standards,” said Sam Zarifi, Amnesty International’s Asia-Pacific Director.  “Continued lack of accountability for perpetrators of abuse has severely eroded the rule of law in Pakistan.” 

Bhatti had previously received threats from groups opposed to reforms of the blasphemy laws.

The assassination follows the January killing of Salman Taseer, the governor of Punjab province, and another outspoken critic of the laws.

“Such violations thrive in the atmosphere of impunity and irresponsibility fostered by the government's failure to uphold its human rights obligations,” said Zarifi. “The government must avoid the faulty forensic practices that have marred previous investigations, such as in the cases of Taseer and former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto.”

The Pakistani Taliban have reportedly claimed responsibility for killing Bhatti and warned others who have criticized the blasphemy laws that they will meet the same fate. Several critics of the blasphemy laws have received death threats in the past two months. 

Members of religious minority groups have told Amnesty International that they face increasing threats from extremist groups.

“It is ultimately the responsibility of the Pakistan government to protect its citizens from violence committed by extremist groups. President Zardari – and the security forces – must increase protection to all Pakistanis who have called for reform of the country’s blasphemy laws,” said Zarifi. 

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Pacific Exercise Tests Disaster Response Capabilities

By Donna Miles  American Forces Press Service WASHINGTON, March 2, 2011 - With two Navy vessels en route to the Mediterranean to support emergency evacuations and humanitarian operations for the Libyan crisis, if directed, U.S. Pacific Command is preparing to launch an interagency, international mission aimed at providing a fast, coordinated response should disaster strike the Pacific Ocean region. USS Cleveland is slated to leave San Diego March 21 to become the lead U.S. vessel during Pacific Partnership 2011. The five-month humanitarian and civic assistance mission will include visits to Tonga, Vanuatu, Papua-New Guinea, Timor-Leste and the Federated States of Micronesia. U.S. Navy photo  Pacific Partnership 2011 will kick off March 21, when the amphibious transport dock ship USS Cleveland leaves its San Diego port to become the lead U.S. vessel during a five-month mission through Oceania, Navy Capt. Jesse A. Wilson Jr., the mission commander and commander of Destroyer Squadron 23, told American Forces Press Service. The participants -- a mix about 600 military, interagency and non-governmental organizational medical professionals and engineers hailing from several nations -- will visit Tonga, Vanuatu, Papua-New Guinea, Timor-Leste and the Federated States of Micronesia, Wilson said. Pacom, working through U.S. Pacific Fleet, launched the Pacific Partnership initiative in 2005 after a devastating December 2004 tsunami struck the region. The annual mission focuses on reinforcing relationships formed through the tsunami response and laying groundwork to ensure future preparedness, Wilson said. Through a variety of humanitarian and civic assistance projects, Pacific Partnership provides a framework for the United States to work collaboratively with its international, interagency and non-governmental partners to conduct an effective humanitarian assistance and disaster relief response, he said. Militarily, Pacific Partnership 2011 will be heavily Navy, but it also will include a Marine Corps contingent to operate vehicles and equipment and Army and Air Force representatives. The interagency participation will include a State Department representative to join Wilson aboard USS Cleveland for the entire mission, and U.S. Agency for International Development officials, as well as their international counterparts, to operate primarily ashore. More than a dozen non-governmental organizations also will contribute manpower and expertise. "This is more than a whole-of-government approach," Wilson said. "It's the whole of several governments" and their NGOs "to make sure we are all working in synch to leverage all the efforts we are doing." The U.S. Coast Guard also will participate in the exercise for the first time, with two cutters supporting various phases of the overall mission. USCGC Jarvis will join the operations in Tonga, and USCGC Sequoia, in Micronesia. In addition, Australia will contribute two landing craft ships; Japan, a maritime self-defense force vessel; and New Zealand, the amphibious sealift ship HMNZS Canterbury that is currently supporting the hurricane response in Christchurch. A French helicopter crew will be embarked on the Canterbury, and Canada, Singapore and Spain will deploy teams to support Pacific Partnership 2011. Last year, when the hospital ship USNS Mercy conducted Pacific Partnership 2011, the emphasis was on conducting surgeries and other advanced medical procedures, many of them aboard ship. But this year, with a large-deck amphibious ship serving as the primary platform, medical, dental, veterinary, veterinary and engineering services will be provided ashore. "We are more focused on getting our doctors ashore, working side by side with host-nation doctors, exchanging expertise and new ideas, repairing biomedical equipment and getting to where we can service remote areas and underserved populations in those countries," Wilson said. Navy Seabees also will be key to the mission, partnering with host-nation officials and NGOs to renovate schools and build medical clinics. At one location, they'll repair broken toilets so children no longer have to go home when nature calls. At another stop, they will improve drainage to stop flooding at a site designated as an evacuation point during a natural disaster. "Our engineers do a lot to improve, not only the level of services that can be provided in the country, but also the quality of life of the people," Wilson said. Through these projects and activities, participants in Pacific Partnership will work with host-country officials to identify how they could contribute to that country's disaster-response capabilities. "We can familiarize ourselves with that construct and determine who the key players are, how do we communicate, what capability do they have, and what capability would we need to bring in case there was an emergency?" Wilson said. "And to the greatest extent that we can do that, it will serve us in the event of a real disaster. "It increases our interoperability, which in the end, serves to lessen the pain and suffering that would happen after a disaster," he said. As they join together this year for the first time for Pacific Partnership, the three U.S. maritime services -- the Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard -- will promote three of the six core competencies embodied in their collective maritime strategy, Wilson said. "One of them is humanitarian assistance and disaster response. And that is not a buzzword. It is not something we do when we feel like it," he said. "It is part of our mission." The mission also provides forward presence and engagement. "We are a global force for good. That is our motto," Wilson said. "And to do that, you need to be out and about and available and engaging with your partners and host nations." Wilson cited the devastating earthquake that hit Haiti in January 2010. Sailors aboard the USS Higgins, returning to San Diego from an around-the-world deployment, were the first responders to arrive on the scene to bring relief to the victims. "To be a first responder, just like a beat cop on the street or that paramedic that shows up, you have to be out and you have to be about," Wilson said. "And that is what the Navy is. We have forward presence. And that's what we will be providing during Pacific Partnership 2011." Meanwhile, the mission promotes maritime security, a third tenet of the maritime strategy. "Through Pacific Partnership, we are increasing our ability to operate with other host-nation navies and organizations," Wilson said. "What we have found is, the more you enhance and develop a partnership, an alliance, a friendship, the better you can unite and work together for a host of things." As it bolsters long-standing relationships and builds new ones, Pacific Partnership demonstrates U.S. commitment to the Pacific region, Wilson said. "We saw the gratitude for the assistance we provided [following the 2004 tsunami], and how that went a long way in developing long-lasting partnerships, relationships and friendships," he said. "So we continue to build those relationships [and] those partnerships so we can more effectively, in a collective manner, address any kind of natural or manmade disaster that could happen in the region." Over the past five years, Pacific Partnership has provided medical, dental, educational and preventive medicine services to more than 300,000 people and completed more than 130 engineering projects in 13 countries.

Biographies: Navy Capt. Jesse A. Wilson Jr. Related Sites: Pacific Partnership 2011

USS Cleveland is slated to leave San Diego March 21 to become the lead U.S. vessel during Pacific Partnership 2011. The five-month humanitarian and civic assistance mission will include visits to Tonga, Vanuatu, Papua-New Guinea, Timor-Leste and the Federated States of Micronesia. U.S. Navy photo

Last American WWI Veteran Dies

By Fred W. Baker III  American Forces Press Service WASHINGTON, Feb. 28, 2011 - Frank Woodruff Buckles, the last surviving American World War I veteran, died yesterday at his West Virginia home. He was 110. Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates, left, talks with Frank Buckles, the last living American World War I veteran, during a Pentagon ceremony March 6, 2008. Buckles died Feb. 27, 2011 at age 110. DOD photo by R. D. Ward  Sixteen-year-old Buckles enlisted in the Army on Aug. 14, 1917 after lying to several recruiters about his age. "I was just 16 and didn't look a day older. I confess to you that I lied to more than one recruiter. I gave them my solemn word that I was 18, but I'd left my birth certificate back home in the family Bible. They'd take one look at me and laugh and tell me to home before my mother noticed I was gone," Buckles wrote in 2009. Buckles tried the Marines and Navy, but both turned him away. An Army recruiter, however, accepted his story. "Somehow I got the idea that telling an even bigger whopper was the way to go. So I told the next recruiter that I was 21 and darned if he didn't sign me up on the spot!" he wrote. Buckles earned the rank of corporal and traveled England and France serving as an ambulance driver. After the Armistice in 1918, Buckles escorted prisoners of war back to Germany. He was discharged in 1920. In 1942 Buckles worked as a civilian for a shipping company in the Philippines, where he was captured in Manila by the Japanese the day after they attacked Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. He spent three and a half years in the Los Baños prison camp. He was rescued on February 23, 1945. Buckles married Audrey Mayo of Pleasanton, Calif., in 1946. The couple moved to his Gap View Farm near Charles Town in January 1954 where Buckles reportedly continued to drive his tractor until he was 106. On February 4, 2008, with the death of 108-year-old Harry Richard Landis, Buckles became the last surviving American World War I veteran. Since, Buckles championed veterans' causes, was invited to the White House and honored at the Pentagon. In March 2008 Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates honored Buckles during a Pentagon ceremony in which officials unveiled a World War I veterans' exhibit. "Whoever views this display will, I am sure, feel a connection to Mr. Buckles and his comrades-in-arms," Gates said. "We will always be grateful for what they did for their country 90 years ago." Buckles, then 107, received a standing ovation from the mostly military audience. "I feel honored to be here as a representative of the veterans of WWI and I thank you," Buckles said. Buckles is survived by his daughter, Susannah Buckles Flanagan. His wife, Audrey, died in 1999. In a White House statement issued today President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama saluted the fallen veteran. "Frank Buckles lived the American Century," the President stated. "Like so many veterans, he returned home, continued his education, began a career, and along with his late wife Audrey, raised their daughter Susannah. And just as Frank continued to serve America until his passing, as the Honorary Chairman of the World War I Memorial Foundation, our nation has a sacred obligation to always serve our veterans and their families as well as they've served us. "We join Susannah and all those who knew and loved her father in celebrating a remarkable life that reminds us of the true meaning of patriotism and our obligations to each other as Americans."

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