Global – Promotio Iustitiae N° 131: Environmental and Human Rights Defenders: Criminals or Martyrs?
The present issue of PI-131, dedicated to Fr. Stan Swamy SJ, on Environmental and Human Rights Defenders: Criminals or Martyrs? - unlike the previous issues where there were many reflective and researched articles - brings you many personal, institutional and communitarian testimonies of human rights defenders. Their stories and examples reveal concretely what happens to HR defenders when they are confronted with the powerful political and economic structures of the society.
The first section of this issue, grouped under Testimonies / Narratives, has 10 articles. These testimonies and narratives will help us to listen to the voice of the voiceless and awaken our conscience to listen to the cry of the people who face the consequences of standing for the values of human rights, dignity, truth and justice. These testimonies invite us to reflect on the reality in which all of us are living. They prevent us from isolating ourselves and put us in the context of our world today. Since this issue is dedicated to our confrere, Fr. Stan Swamy, we start with the narrative on him. However, the other testimonies coming from Australia, Colombia, Cambodia, Canada, Guatemala, India, Italy, Kenya, Spain, and USA show that the concern of human rights defenders is not limited to a few underprivileged nations. It goes beyond economic, political and geographical boundaries.
The second section is on Reflection and Analysis, where we offer 10 more articles. Although most of them start with some stories and examples of real persons and communities, they go on to make some personal reflection and recommendations and raise the global concern for climate change, ecology, human rights, human dignity and justice for all. These articles are written in specific contexts of countries and the laws and norms that govern them locally. However, they express their genuine concern about the alarming trend or pattern that is emerging all over the world. Often the ruling governments, even with just a simple majority in elected democracies, enact new laws to suit their political and economic interests while continuing to abuse, suppress and hinder the fundamental human rights of citizens “just because they express their dissent or raise question about the ruling powers” as Fr. Stan Swamy said. The authors raise the level of hope high with suggestions on how to protect, promote and defend the life and dignity of people and the regional territories.
As you may remember, the last issue of PI-130 was on Healing Democracy: In an era of Authoritarianism and Populism. Most of the authors in that issue reflected on how democratic structures were undergoing a recession all over the world especially in the context of the pandemic. The final article in this issue, written by an international attorney from Ghana, is a critique of PI 130, wherein he highlights the importance of the “Rule of Law” anchored on sound morality, if we truly want to save democracy. We appreciate similar feedback to our publications.
Wish you a good reading, reflection and discernment leading all of us, to act in favour of the vulnerable people and voiceless environment.
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Stan Swamy Day in Viragalur was a moving tribute to a man who devoted his life to justice and the upliftment of the marginalized.
The worldwide network of Jesuit organisations, Xavier Network, involved in responding to humanitarian crises around the world, expressed shock at the April 2 killing of 7 aid workers delivering essential food aid. "We cannot be silent." Xavier Network joined the global Jesuits' call for "an immediate ceasefire, for negotiations and for the beginning of a process that will bring freedom, liberty and justice for all in the Middle East, the only road to true peace."
On the memorial day of the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi, J. Baptiste, a Jesuit genocide survivor from Rwanda, shared his story of the tragic event. On behalf of fellow Rwandans, he concluded with a prayer: "My prayer today is to find the last remains of the victims…, then [this] commemoration will mean something different. Only then will our wounds heal and the ongoing reconciliation process move faster."
To commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Declaration of Human Rights, the Vatican published a new document, Dignitas Infinita, which condemns, among other grave violations, emerging forms of digital violence against human dignity, such as Cyberbullying, Online Hate Speech, Social Exclusion, Economic Exploitation, Digital Surveillance, Body Shaming, and Microaggressions.
