MPs Back Acid Attack Survivors, Call for Stronger Laws and Support

MPs Back Acid Attack Survivors, Call for Stronger Laws and Support

New
Delhi
[India], April 3 (ANI): A team of
Members of Parliament
Members of Parliament gathered for an event hosted by the Brave Souls Foundation at the
Constitution Club of India
, where they expressed their backing for
acid attack
According to a press release, survivors and dedicated individuals are advocating for enhanced legal and financial safeguards.

The attending Members of Parliament were Pramod Tiwari and Rajiv Shukla.
Jaya Bachchan
Tiruchi Siva, Abdul Wahab, Imran Pratapgarhi, Anil Yadav Mandadi, Ashok Mittal, John Brittas, and Ayodhya Rami Reddy were among those who recounted their hardships and called for urgent measures regarding critical concerns like justice, prompt compensation, job opportunities, and resettlement.

The survivors highlighted that even with Supreme Court instructions, acid continues to be readily accessible in stores, assaults persist without letup, and government support payments frequently arrive late or prove inadequate. Numerous victims struggle to find jobs, and legal gaps enable attackers to avoid serious consequences.

The Members of Parliament told the survivors that they would bring up their worries during parliamentary discussions and promised to address these issues with both the Home Minister and the Law Minister at the next monsoon session. Additionally, they backed the call for swift implementation of the Prevention of Acid Attacks and Justice for Victims and Survivors Bill, 2024, which encompasses measures like controlling acid distribution, providing free healthcare services, and establishing special fast-track tribunals.
acid attack
cases.

Multiple Members of Parliament also contributed personally to back the initiative.
Jaya Bachchan
declared a contribution of Rs 50 lakh to the Brave Souls Foundation, whereas AAP Rajya Sabha MP Ashok Mittal promised free education for survivors at his institute alongside a monetary help of Rs 5 lakh. Various MPs committed parts of their earnings or donations varying between Rs 5 lakh and Rs 25 lakh. Moreover, non-government organizations attending the gathering affirmed ongoing backing for survivors via legal support and healthcare services.

The Members of Parliament asked the Brave Souls Foundation to provide an official document detailing these requests, promising to deliver it to the government for prompt implementation. This occasion represented a crucial advancement in the quest for justice, as lawmakers, advocates, and members of civil society came together to call for overdue changes.

Members of Parliament and activists jointly presented various demands to the government.

Swift Implementation of the Anti-Acid Attack Act, 2024 – It is essential to enact thorough legislation aimed at controlling acid distribution, enhancing support systems for those affected, and guaranteeing victims obtain fair treatment.

Members of Parliament called for an outright prohibition on the sale of acid at retail outlets. They proposed categorizing acid as a controlled substance and establishing a rigorous licensing framework, along with severe consequences for unauthorized sales.

Comprehensive and Cost-Free Healthcare for Survivors – Every hospital, whether public or private, is required to offer complete medical attention, encompassing reconstruction procedures, at no expense to those who have survived. Harsh consequences ought to be imposed upon facilities refusing to treat them.

A dedicated officer must be assigned in each district to guarantee adherence to survivors’ rights and to promptly address instances where hospitals deny care.

The government should set up dedicated burn rehabilitation centers across India to offer extended support to victims.

Unrestricted Lifetime Travel for Healthcare – Survivors frequently need numerous operations spread out over various regions, and they ought to receive complimentary transportation for medical treatment.

Creation and Growth of Secure Residences for Victims – It is essential for the government to designate plots, structures, and monetary support to establish secure residences offering comprehensive recovery programs.

Special courts ought to be set up to guarantee that
acid attack
Cases are addressed promptly, ensuring offenders do not escape accountability.

Enhanced Payouts for Beneficiaries – Presently, beneficiaries receive Rs 3-7 lakh which falls short. This amount ought to be raised to a minimum of Rs 50 lakh, with greater sums designated for those able to demonstrate extra monetary damages.

A comprehensive pension program for dependents—akin to schemes found in regions like Punjab and Haryana—should be established to ensure long-term monetary support for surviving family members. This plan should also include supplementary benefits designed to address ongoing healthcare and mental health requirements.

Acknowledgment of Acid Attack Survivors as Individuals with Disabilities – These survivors endure significant physical and emotional harm and ought to be officially classified as individuals with disabilities under the law.
disabilities
.

Facial Disfigurements Should Be Recognized as Disabilities – Individuals with such scarring deserve comprehensive affirmative action privileges within the disability provisions.

Reservations for Education and Employment – Similar to the SC/ST/OBC classifications, survivors deserve reserved spots in educational institutions and job sectors to facilitate their integration into society.

Allocation of government land for survivor-operated cafés, canteens, and kiosks — Land owned by the government should be provided to survivors so they can manage food stalls, eateries, and dining areas in public spaces, fostering their financial self-sufficiency.

The government ought to finance complete scholarships for survivors so they can further their education at home and overseas in India and beyond.

Creation of a Dedicated Parliamentary Subcommittee – There should be established an exclusive subcommittee tasked with examining current policies, proposing legislative changes, and monitoring the execution of actions aimed at combating
acid attack
s.

Urgent Publication of NCRB Statistics on Acid Attacks – The National Crime Records Bureau should promptly publish current and precise information regarding acid attacks.
acid attack
So as to guarantee openness and well-informed policy creation.

Notably, AAP Rajya Sabha
Sanjay Singh
On March 19, brought up the matter regarding
acid attack
Survivors in the Rajya Sabha are calling for the creation of specialized fast-track courts to guarantee prompt justice. “Every day these survivors face indescribable pain, but they still have to wait over two decades for justice. It is imperative that the government establishes dedicated quick-response tribunals to hasten their cases and impose stringent penalties on those responsible,” he stated.

Sanjay Singh
It was also mentioned that the administration ought to offer complimentary healthcare services to those who survived and enhance the compensation to Rs 50 lakh, as the present amount of Rs 5 lakh is woefully insufficient.

Emphasizing the challenges faced by survivors,
Sanjay Singh
highlighted the story of Shaheen Malik, who has been striving for justice over the past 16 years after she lost her face and one eye
acid attack
He additionally mentioned two young girls from Siwan, who were assaulted when they were 14 but achieved justice only after two decades.

These young girls rise each morning, gaze into the mirror, and are constantly reminded of their trauma. Making them endure such pain for decades until they see justice is unacceptable. The government needs to act without delay,
Sanjay Singh
said. (ANI)

Provided by Syndigate Media Inc. (
Syndigate.info
).

Moroccan Historian Maati Monjib Launches Hunger Strike in Protest of Travel Ban

Moroccan Historian Maati Monjib Launches Hunger Strike in Protest of Travel Ban

Moroccan activist and historian Maati Monjib has declared that he has begun a hunger strike following his prohibition from travel.

In an announcement about himself, he stated
Facebook page
Monjib disclosed that Sorbonne University had extended an invitation to him for a talk about “The Arab Spring in Tunisia: 2011-2021.” Nevertheless, when he reached Rabat-Salé Airport today, he was not allowed to depart, even though he held a legitimate ticket and passport.

“I want to inform everyone that I’ve been prohibited from travel since 2020, and my vehicle, home, and financial accounts have been confiscated for over four years,” he stated additionally.

Monjib was among the activists who received a royal pardon on Throne Day the previous year. He has faced two distinct legal proceedings. In 2015, he was originally handed a sentence of one and a half years for allegations concerning “endangering national security.” His second legal issue arose in 2021, resulting in his arrest as part of an inquiry into “money-laundering” accusations; however, he was subsequently freed awaiting further court action.

In his posting, Monjib condemned his travel ban as a “breach of legal boundaries and the royal pardon.” Referencing Article 160 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, he noted that such restrictions and judicial oversight should not exceed two months initially but can be renewed up to four additional times for a total of ten months maximum. In his view, since this limit wasn’t adhered to in his situation, the ruling became unlawful and unwarranted. Furthermore, he argued that because these proceedings were politically motivated, they involved false and contrived accusations against him,” he penned.

Monjib has previously undertaken multiple hunger strikes, with the latest one occurring in 2023, against his suspension from his role as a university professor.

‘Complicit in the genocide’: Pro-Palestine activists protest outside US consulate, police called in

‘Complicit in the genocide’: Pro-Palestine activists protest outside US consulate, police called in

On Sunday, anti-war demonstrators assembled at the US consulate in Admiralty to urge Washington to cease obstructing the pro-Palestinian movement during Israel’s U.S.-backed conflict in Gaza.

The organization — HK Anti-war Mobilization — informed HKFP on Sunday that the consulate contacted the police, who then proceeded to search and identify the five activists, cautioning them against potential violations of the national security law.

“Last week, Israel dismantled the ceasefire agreement by initially halting hostage exchanges, followed by cutting off water and power supplies to Gaza. They resumed bombing raids overnight on Tuesday (the 18th), resulting in the brutal deaths of 404 individuals,” stated the organization.

We gather here today to voice our solidarity with the liberation of Palestine and to show support for anti-war advocates around the globe who are facing violence, suppression, and censorship.


See also:
‘It’s mostly women and children’: Hong Kong surgeon speaks of treating wounded Palestinians in Gaza

Gaza’s Health Ministry
said
last week that over 50,000 people had been killed in the Palestinian territory since the latest conflict began in early October 2023. However, The Lancet medical journal has
said
The real number of deaths could be as much as 41 percent greater. A UN report states that most of the confirmed victims were females and kids.

The latest conflict
started
On October 7, 2023, Hamas militants initiated an unexpected assault on Israel, resulting in at least 1,139 fatalities and approximately 250 individuals being taken hostage to Gaza. As a response, Israel declared its intention to dismantle Hamas completely and subsequently conducted extensive bombing raids across the Gaza Strip lasting over one year.

On last Tuesday, the ceasefire that had been effective since January 19 came to an end when Israel launched a new attack on Gaza. The country has called for the liberation of numerous hostages who remain within the conflict-ravaged area.

Outside the U.S. Consulate on Sunday, the protesters carried signs reading: “The West is complicit in Israel’s genocide” and “Scare fascists.”

The declaration continued: “Led by the United States, Western governments have turned a deaf ear to their own people’s concerns and have aided in the genocide of Palestinians, thereby supporting Israel’s racist and colonial objectives.”

Police search

The organization stated they weren’t shocked that law enforcement was summoned on Sunday. They added, “The U.S. administration is curtailing the pro-Palestinian activism as the U.S. backs Israel in carrying out the extermination of Palestinians.”

They said that the police “reminded us not to violate the national security law, not to contain any sedition content in our slogans, and not to cover our face under [the] face-covering regulation,” as they searched and took down the identity card details of the activists.

In response, the US consulate told HKFP on Monday that the five were blocking their driveway and it had to ensure the safety of its staff and facilities.

The demonstrators were positioned at the entrance to the consulate’s vehicle gate, presenting a potential hazard to both their own safety and that of the consulate personnel,” the statement read. “We completely endorse the right of individuals to demonstrate in a peaceful and secure manner. It is not uncommon for protests to take place close to the consulate.

A year ago, US Consul General Gregory May
said
He posted on Facebook that he backed the rights of demonstrators outside the embassy.

“We uphold basic liberties and human rights. Although I politely differ from these guests’ opinions, I completely endorse their right to demonstrate peaceably,” he stated.

On Monday, the police responded via email stating that they had “received a report around 2 pm on March 23 regarding five individuals holding a public gathering outside 26 Garden Road, Central.” When the police arrived, those present were advised to make sure their public event was carried out according to legal requirements.

Mahmoud Khalil detention

The five protesters were additionally urging for the release of student activist Mahmoud Khalil from U.S. custody.

Khalil, who is a long-term resident of the U.S. and serves as the chief mediator for Columbia University’s student protest advocating for Palestine, was arrested by U.S. immigration authorities on March 8 following directives from the State Department to cancel his visa.

“The arbitrary imprisonment of Khalil demonstrated that the U.S. does not concern itself with justice and liberty whatsoever,” stated HK Anti-war Mobilization.

“The U.S. government is intensifying efforts against the pro-Palestinian movement across all areas, as they worry that people might reveal the reality of the genocide,” the organization added.

“Ironically, the legislation used to arrest Khalil was the same one used by the US government in the 1950s to block Holocaust survivors in Eastern Europe from entering the US,” the protest group said.


See also:
Hongkongers show solidarity with Palestine amid Israel-Hamas war, but keep efforts low-key

U.S. President Donald Trump has warned of penalties for students whom he alleges back Hamas or propagate anti-Jewish sentiment. However, detractors argue that Khalil’s detainment represents an unjust assault on freedom of expression.

Last year, the International Court of Justice — which serves as the main judicial organ of the United Nations — determined that Israel’s actions in Gaza might constitute genocide. However, Israel has refuted these allegations.

Last November, the UN-supported International Criminal Court announced arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, former Defense Chief Yoav Gallant, along with a previous Hamas military leader, on charges related to alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity.


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