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Landlords Attack Human Rights Office in India
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On 7 February landlords attempted to abduct
bonded labourers seeking refuge in the offices of the Indian human
rights organisation, Volunteers for Social Justice, in Phillaur, Punjab
State.
Harbhajan Singh and other landlords forced their way into the organisation's
office where several bonded labourers were seeking refuge. Staff members
successfully prevented the abduction, although one bonded labourer,
Mukand Singh, was beaten by the landlords.
On 10 December 1999, the Volunteers for Social Justice filed cases
with the District Magistrate of Patiala, calling for bonded labourers
Charan Singh and Amar Singh to be freed from their landlord, Harbhajan
Singh. Using bonded labour is illegal according to India's 1976 Bonded
Labour System (Abolition) Act. In spite of this, the court failed
to implement the Act by not taking steps to free them.
Fearing for their safety, both bonded labourers took refuge in the
organisation's office.
"Anti-Slavery is very concerned about the safety of the bonded
labourers and all those working at Volunteers for Social Justice.
By challenging their landlords, bonded labourers put themselves at
huge risk. The Indian Government needs to implement existing legislation
banning bonded labour and ensure that those who flout the law and
use this form of slave labour are brought to justice,”Anti-Slavery
Director Mike Dottridge said.
Local police were immediately informed of the incident and given the
registration number of the jeep in which the attackers had fled, but
took no action. The police only visited the offices following media
reports and public pressure two days after the attack. This is the
second time within a year that Volunteers for Social Justice has been
attacked; those responsible for an attack on 1 July 1999 also remain
free.
Bonded labour is outlawed under domestic law as well as several international
treaties which India has signed.
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Notes to the editors:
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- For more information contact the Anti-Slavery Press Officer,
Beth Herzfeld, on:
Tel: 020 7501 8934
Fax: 020 7738 4110
E-mail: b.herzfeld@antislavery.org
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| 11 February 2000 |
PR/2/00 |
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