Korean Human Rights Groups Support Odisha People's Anti-POSCO Struggle

12 organizations from Korea came together to condemn the actions of both governments.

(CHENNAI, India) - In a recent meeting the Indian Prime Minister assured Korean President Lee Myung Bak Indian government’s support to build the POSCO Steel’s project in Odisha. The Ministry of Commerce has “extended” POSCO’s application for Special Economic Zone status.

Both the Indian Prime Minister and the Korean President should note that today the Supreme Court has passed a judgment that the Environmental Clearance given to POSCO was ultra vires. It means that neither the Prime Minister of India nor its leading Ministry has people’s interest in mind; and they have yet again proven that they don’t respect Indian laws.

Readers should note that Korea based POSCO, world’s third largest steel maker, is already in violation of many Constitutional provisions in India. Indian analysts and writers have also proved that POSCO is a criminal corporation, owned and controlled by western banksters.

It is not only unethical but the Korean President Bak should know that this sort of public behavior is not expected of statesmen. The people of India have a question: what would be his stand if an Indian company’s project was opposed by Korean people? Would he assure the Indian Prime Minister to go ahead with the project against his own people’s wishes? Would any self respecting leader do that?

The Korean political leadership should note that nobody wants POSCO project in Odisha and the Korean leaders should also know that this Indian Prime Minister is the most dishonest and downright anti-people that has no historical precedent in India. The Prime Minister knows that he is not going to run the plant and when the Koreans come to manage the plant they will receive some solid slaps across their faces on a daily basis.

The Korean President should note that twelve civil society and human rights organizations of Korea have come together to condemn the actions of the Indian Government and their own Korean Government. Their letter is posted below:

“

Open Letter to Naveen Pattnaik, the Chief Minister of Odisha State, India The Chief Minister of Odisha State, NaveenPattnaik Bhubaneswar-751001. Odisha, India March 23, 2012 We -human rights, labor, and civil organizations in Korea- are writing to you with our deep concern regarding the current attacks continuously made to villagers who are opposing the construction of POSCO steel plant. Even 6 years have been passed since the project in Odisha State had begun, POSCO could never have had approval from the villagers. And conflicts surrounding the construction of iron works are continued. The villagers made their peaceful resistance lying down on the roads while the government of Odisha State mobilizing the police to take their lands by force. This was on the rise to international community, including Korea, as a human rights issue. Recent few months, however, the villagers and Anti-P OSCO activists are being attacked by anonymous groups of armed men. On December 14, one person was killed and many were injured by a group of armed mafias while protesting. Bapi Sharkel is suspected to be the leader of this attack, however, Odisha police had not made proper investigation on this. Rather, questions are suggested that Odisha State is securing him. Odisha State had not made fair work on Bapi Sarkhel, principal offender of the violence on December 14, and even had released him on February 29. And after 2 days from his release, another villager was attacked by an unidentified armed man. A group of armed men came around 1PM on March2, 2012 and took away Umakant Biswal, a known activist of the Anti-POSCO struggle. We got reports that he has been kept in Paradip police station and is being physically and mentally tortured. We do not know whether the attackers were the police, or the group of Bapi Sarkhel. What is certain, however, is that Umakant Biswal, who was injured, could not exercise his legal rights. We are aware of the fact that, as per the Indian Criminal code, the police are supposed to produce him before the magistrate within 24 hours of arrest. However, more than 24 hours have passed but he has not been produced before the magistrate. No one including the villagers, lawyer or even the parents is allowed to meet him in the police station. We are concerning on the reason that why Bapi Sarkhel didn't went through appropriate investigation and the testimony that he had received all kind of conveniences. Also, we strongly question the correlation between his release and the violence 2 days after that. If POSCO and the Odisha State government who wants to push ahead the construction are behind this series of incidents, this is gross abuse of human rights as well as significant part that damages the legitimacy of POSCO project. There are many cases in Korea which government and corporations oppressed the resistance of civilians by mobilizing gangsters over developments. The development project that does not protect right to life and right to live could never be successful. We request Naveen Pattnaik, the Chief Minister of Odisha State - To make thorough investigation into Bapi Sarkhel, including the criminals of the violence on December 14, 2011. - To punish the offenders who had attacked Umakant Biswal and the police who had violated the article 57 of the code of criminal procedure and had refused to hospitalizing and conference with attorney. - To stop the suppression on the villagers who oppose the construction of POSCO. - Not to push ahead the construction without the consent of villagers. Sincerely yours, Advocates Public Interests Lawyers Corporation For All Energy & Climate Policy Institute for Just Transition International Solidarity Committee of Minbyun Korean House for International Solidarity Korean Lawyers for Public Interest and Human Rights Network for Global Activism People’s Solidarity for Participatory Democracy People's Solidarity for Social Progress Public Interest Lawyers' Group Gonggam SARANGBANG group for human rights Mr.Hyun Phil NA Vice Executive Director Korean House for International Solidarity Telephone:(+82)-2-736-5808, (+82)10-5574-8925 Fax :( +82)-2-736-5810 Email:khis21@hanmail.net

”

Arun Shrivastava is Salem-News.com's South Asia Correspondent. An accredited management consultant, Arun is also a highly experienced researcher and writer. He studied in India and England and returned to India in 1989, after a brief stint as senior officer with Economic Development Unit of Birmingham (UK). From 1989 to 1994, he taught Strategic Management and Long Range Planning to MBA students at International Management Institute in Delhi.

About twenty years ago he founded two institutions, one for consulting and another for doing sponsored research work; today both are known for excellence. Since the events of 9/11, he has devoted much of his time to researching NWO issues. Arun also moderates International Human Rights Organizations’ discussion group.

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