Sharmila wins Gwangju Prize for Human Rights 2007

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Irom Sharmila Awarded "Gwangju Prize for Human Rights 2007"
- South Korea -

Dear All,

Please find below the Press release for Gwanju Prize for Human Rights. This year's award was given to Dr. Lenin & Sharmila. The anouncement explains their field of work.

The same could be found at here.

From the Coordinator Desk
Kshetrimayum Onil

Related Article about Ms. Irom Sharmila:

Save Sharmila Campaign at trafalgar square , London
Song on Sharmila Released
Irom Sharmila, a living icon of liberty-famished Indians
Fast-unto-death in a corner of India
A Tribute To Sharmila - Editorial 2002
Sharmila dares to dream for a better future!
All archived material about Ms. Sharmila in e-pao.net

Announcement of Awardees of the 2007 Gwangju Prize for Human Rights

India is one of Asia's leading nations, boasting a brilliant civilization developed throughout its long history. However, its outdated social class system, the caste system, has long been indicated by the international community as one of the biggest obstacles to national development as well as the advancement of its citizens' basic human rights, since this system still holds sway over the reality of the Indian society through a rigid set of religious practices, despite its prohibition by national law.

In addition, the military powers of India have become the focus of international attention. This concerns the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) enacted in 1958, which is operative at the time of a 'suspected' riot(s) in order to 'maintain public order.' As this law allows killing by shooting, entering and search of property, and arbitrary detention, etc., its abuse is currently spawning grave human rights violations in some parts of India. Still, the practical near-impossibility of indicting the abusive military person(s) concerned is a more serious problem.

The 2007 Gwangju Prize for Human Rights Committee came to take a deep interest in the above two problems encountered by the Indian society today.

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On November 2nd, 2000, the Indian military opened fire on its own citizens in the state of Manipur. This was one of the many such incidents following the enactment of the AFSPA. Since the incident in Manipur, Irom Sharmila, a resident of the tragic state, has refused to eat and drink anything in resistance to indiscriminate use of the AFSPA against civilians. The response of the Indian government to her resistance has been repetitively evasive: the government has arrested her on a charge of 'attempted suicide', force-fed her and then freed her under applicable law, but, up until now, has failed to provide any fundamental alternative to the law in question.

In October 2006, Ms. Sharmila left Manipur for New Delhi, the capital of India, at the peril of her own life, to facilitate the accomplishment of the goal of her 6-year-long struggle, i.e. the abolishment of the AFSPA. However, her daring mission was brought to an abrupt halt when she was arrested by the New Delhi police on her second day in the city. Currently, she is in custody at Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital(RMH).

In recognition of their efforts to improve human rights in India, the 2007 Gwangju Prize for Human Rights Selection Committee has selected Lenin Raghuvanshi and Irom Sharmila as co-recipients of the award. Regardless of the difference in the methods respectively employed, they both have fought for the same noble cause of the advancement of human rights and social justice, yet they still have a long way to go.

The Gwangju Prize for Human Rights will provide boost in their further struggles. It can make the two awardees and their struggles known to a wider audience while offering them the strength and courage required to complete their journey towards their goals. We believe there lies the principal objective of the Gwangju Prize for Human Rights. In closing, the 2007 Gwangju Prize for Human Rights Committee would like to send an encouraging message to all human rights activists around the world as well as this year's co-awardees.

The 2007 Gwangju Prize for Human Rights Committee

Committee Chairman: Lee, Hong-Gil
Chairman of the Board of Directors of the May 18 Memorial Foundation

Committee Members:
Kim, Chil-Jun
Secretary General of the National Human Rights Commission,

Jeong, Ui-Yong
Korean National Assemblyman,

Moon, Guk-Joo
Executive Director of the Korea Democracy Foundation,

Cha, Sung-Hwan
Director of the Pusan Democratic Movement Memorial Association

Kshetrimayum Onil sent this announcement to e-pao.net. He can be contacted at onilrights(at)gmail(dot)com . This Press Release was webcasted on May 01st, 2007

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