Parliamentarians for Enabling an Anti-Racial Law and Bill on Women, Peace and Security Bill
Date : 30th May 2018 at New Delhi

briefing with parliamentarians on Anti-Racial law at Constitution Club of India, New Delhi on 30th May, 2018

Parliamentarians for Enabling an Anti-Racial Law and Bill on Women, Peace and Security Bill to be passed in Indian Parliament to Combat Discrimination and to enable a Gender Just Society

Diversity is a key feature of India but this much-loved and overused rhetoric of ‘Unity in Diversity’ for the country continues to be construed as just being spread over the country, with each region being a homogenous whole in itself. News reports of violence and hate crimes against Northeast people in metros of country as well as hate crimes Indians within has raised much concern about the safety of all in India. In a situation like this, women are doubly at risk as they are targeted more so solely because of their gender.

Keeping in mind the severity of these issues, Control Arms Foundation of India (CAFI) and Manipur Women Gun Survivors Network (MWGSN), Northeast India Women Initiative for Peace in collaboration with Multiple Action Research Group (MARG) organized a briefing with parliamentarians today to evolve an Anti-Racial law and to table the bill on Women, Peace and Security in the parliament on 30th May, 2018 at Constitution Club of India, New Delhi.

The event was inaugurated by Honourable Member of Parliament Shri Ripun Bora. On the issue, he has expressed his concern and described racial discrimination as a burning and sensitive issue in the country. He further added that even though the constitution elaborately talks about equality with various articles listed, it is not sufficient and that we need to raise our voices to our Government to make some implementations from the Bezbaruah Committee recommendations.

The honourable parliamentarian also commended Control Arms Foundation of India, Manipur Women Gun Survivors Network and Multiple Action Research Group on the remarkable effort on drafting a National Action Plan and bills on Women, Peace and Security and assured to mobilise other MP’s to push for an Anti-Racial Law, raising of questions as well as tabling of bills on the issue. He reassured that he will pursue the Government of India on this issue too and will share this on an appropriate forum.

briefing with parliamentarians on Anti-Racial law at Constitution Club of India, New Delhi on 30th May, 2018

Sharing his views on the issue of racism, Member of Parliament, Gaurav Gogoi gave his statement prior to the event and said, “The need for an anti-discriminatory law is clear. It is must be considered by the government as soon as practicable. Even after so many cases of discrimination especially racism, there is no specific law dealing with the same. And if the situation is carried forward, many other people will have to become victim of such discriminatory and violent practices.”

Similarly, in a statement issued, Ms Binalakshmi Nepram, Secretary- General, CAFI and Manipur Women Gun Survivor Network shared that the objective of this event was to work with committed parliamentarians from across political parties to introduce a much needed anti-racial law in India. She also stated that India is a signatory to UN Convention to End Racial Discrimination and its mandatory that it becomes a law in India. She also highlighted the need for ending sexual violence in India particularly the issue of rape in conflict areas and has appealed for India to adopt a National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security.

Ms. Anju Talukdar, Director of Multiple Action Research Group said, “Racial Discrimination happens in India all the time, to Indians by the Indians. We need to ensure that such discrimination becomes part of the public discourse that could lead to an anti- racial law in India in order to fullfill the promise of UN Convention to End Racial Discrimination (CERD) ratification.”

The session were steered by CAFI and MARG and sought to brainstorm on ways to practically apply and implement policies that would mitigate the widespread discrimination faced by North-Eastern individuals and individuals belonging to other racial minorities in India.

briefing with parliamentarians on Anti-Racial law at Constitution Club of India, New Delhi on 30th May, 2018

The event was concluded successfully with participation from local authorities, government officials, academicians, lawyers such as Ms. Alakananda Das, Advisor of Char and Rural Development Society and Northeast Chairperson of Women Economic Forum.; Ms. Mira Borthakur, General Secretary. Northeast Women’s Front, BJP active member; Ms. Shaheen Hussain Nongbri, President of CARDS and Vice President of AIUDWF; Ms. Jimsi Tassar, Lawyer from Arunachal Pradesh; Ms. Tinat Atifa Masood, Vice Chairperson of Minority Department- Assam Pradesh Congress Committee and Dr Govind Singh, Director, Delhi Greens, New Delhi.

Office of Control Arms Foundation of India & Manipur Women Gun Survivors Network
B 5 / 146, First Floor, Safdarjung Enclave,
New Delhi - 110 029
Website : www.cafi-online.org
Phone: +91-11-46018541