From: Aam Admi (simple citizen)
P e t i t i o n
The Prime Minister of India
Sh. Dr. Manmohan Singh ji, Race Course Raod 7, New Delhi (India)
Subject: Rape/Assault of Ms. Jyoti Singh Pandey (Damini)
Your Excellency,
The brutish rape and assault of the 23-years woman Jyoti Singh Pandey on 16 December 2012 in Delhi caused the same alarm among the Indian community outside India as with the protesters on the streets in India, as regards the situation of women in the country. On this sad occasion, which the media discussed world-wide, we shall submit the present petition to express our concern, and request the Indian government to deliberately further a change in the Indian system of values, and to enforce it by law.
If people in politics and the paragons of the country fail to give a better example, the brazen manner of making women the victims of overweening violence and sexual assaults will completely destroy the image of India as “country mama” so dearly propagated. It is time to shake up with a will and vehemence the obsolete perception of women, values und ethics.
The State has the obligation to protect its citizens, and adjudge those opposing the law. Therefore, it is incumbent on the Indian government to make sure that any and all violation of human rights, rapes and sexual assaults on women be forestalled and punished. Thus, we appeal to the Indian government to take the following measures:
Raping alone is a serious felony. This situation is even aggravated once the putative defenders of human rights – the state administration, the police and armed support are directly involved as perpetrators – this also applies if they just look the other way, and fail to help the victim. In the past, there were many known instances where the police did not intervene.
It is the duty of the Indian government to prosecute and punish rapists and sexual assaulters – the more so if they hold positions of power – and put an end to an attitude of impunity as regards violence against women.
Police officers, officials and members of the government guilty of sexual violence against women must be prosecuted under criminal law, and removed from office.
The „National Election Watch“ found out that several nominees in leading political parties are also accused of rape or other misogynic abuse.
There must be independent investigations into wrongful behaviour of the police and public servants; the pertinent laws have to be tightened and revised.
Supervisory bodies have to be created in the administration, in order to stop corrupt/criminal powers.
The estimated number of unreported cases of rape is high – why so? The victims are far too inhibited to confide in male policemen, fearing not to be taken seriously, or worse, to be humiliated – even subjected to sexual harassment.
This calls for an increased employment of women in all police authorities in the country, and the installation of so-called „Women‘s Desks“, to facilitate the testimony of victims and witnesses.
Compulsory school subject „ethics“, educational campaigns and strengthening of women’s organisations (state financing):
As every family has its own concept of education, so has the Indian government the duty to further a new thinking in the Indian society, in all social classes. Some ways to solicit and strengthen the position and value of women in the community are the introduction of subjects such as “ethics / social morality” in schools, educational campaigns, and the support of women’s organisations.
There are only a few volunteers supporting the victims of rape. Neighbours who witness one prefer to look the other way. This passivity is documented in past rapes. It seems that violence against women is considered as rather normal. Thus, turning a blind eye must be translated into the value system as a crime, and every citizen obligated to report it.
The government should launch an initiative on the issue of civil courage, with educational posters in all public transportation means and facilities
Motivation from the government / incentives for witness to testify
In other countries, such as Germany, the respect toward women is much more embedded in society and judicature. Although misogynic acts exist in the Western world too, these countries benefit from regulations involving liability under criminal law, and social consequences. India too enacted sufficient laws to protect women and human rights, such as:
National Commission for Women Act, 1990
Protection of Women against Sexual Harassment Bill, 2007
Even the _ HYPERLINK “http://ihraindia.com/site” _International Human Rights Association_ are translated into Indian judicature. All the more shameful the fact that these existing regulations seem to have no tangible effect. Reforming the judiciary and the police is a first step to better protect women.
We expect the two committees of inquiry appointed by the Indian government to provide unbiased results and recommendations, to be quickly implemented.
Child marriage, feticide, infanticide, sex trade, domestic slavery and violence, and a high rate of maternal death – among the G20 states, India is the country where women’s situation is worst (Trustlaw Women Poll 2012).
Sadly, this is the current reputation of India!
We, representatives of Indian people living in Germany, consider ourselves as ambassadors of India in the German community, trying to rouse an interest in, and understanding of Indian culture, and share it with our fellow men. The negative events in India cause immense damage to its reputation and values. Therefore, we trust that you will strongly further the necessary measures and changes in the country. On behalf of the Indian community in Berlin, we submit this petition to your representative, Mr. Khurshid, Minister of foreign affairs.
Signatories: Indian Community in Berlin, represented by
Barjinder Sodhi (GOPIO) Sarina Bansal-Goerke
Alt-Moabit 126, 10557 Berlin Kaiser-Wilhelm-Strasse 109,
10557 Berlin (Germany) 12247 Berlin Germany Email: sarinabansal@web.de kontakt@gopio.de
Mailing/Copies: Foreign Minister of India, Hon´ble Sh. Salman Khurshidji
Ambassador of India in Berlin, H.E. Sujatha Singhji
with a request to acknowledge our reqeust per E-mail or in written and please forward it personally to Hon´ble PM of India Dr. Manmohan Singhji.
