[For the period: 1st Jan to 31st Dec, 2004]
Manitham is a Non-Governmental Organisation, aiming to bring radical changes in the society to enable individuals and communities to become self-reliant so that people may live in consonance with the true dictates of humanity in its widest scope and dimension.
Vision :
Every individual in a society enjoys all the rights as per in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and international instruments regarding with Human Rights & Environment.
Mission :
Manitham envisages undertake research and action to prevent and end grave abuses of the rights to physical and mental integrity, freedom of conscience and expression, and freedom from discrimination, within the context of its work to promote all rights.
Advocacy & Lobbying :
Our Executive Director has had various consultations and is representing and advocating and lobbying on Human Rights and Environmental issues in various forums. He has travelled far and wide to various States in India, such as Kashmir, Delhi, Kerala, and Karnataka and in his home State, Tamil Nadu.
Campaign & Public Action :
On 21-02-2004 a symposium on 'Police and Human Rights' was held at the Sangamam A/C hall, PSGCAS, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu. Former Director General of Police [DPG] of Kerala, President of TMMK and leading Human Right Defenders took part.
On 26-03-2004, an Urgent Appeal through Signature Campaign urging Indian Government to sign on UN's Moratorium on Death Penalty was made. Thiru Vaiko, Member of Parliament, President of MDMK and a prominent Political leader started this signature campaign. Printed Urgent Appeal Pamphlets in English and in Tamil was distributed throughout India. Online signature also was published in our web site. In total more than 2 lakh people affixed their signature and it was presented to the Honourable President of India on 12-05-2004.
On 15-07-2004, even after obtaining prior permission from the police to conduct 'Street Drama against Torture' in a public place at Coimbatore permission denied by the same police department. However, on the same day, the drama was organized in a Higher Secondary School at Perur in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu.
On 10-08-2004, we urged to 'Abolish Corporal Punishment in Schools' through our Urgent Appeal and in printed Newsletter. Immediately the Directorate of School Education, Chennai, issued an order to all schools throughout Tamil Nadu State to Abolish Corporal Punishments in Schools.
On 19-08-2004, we organised a public hearing on 'Sethusamudram Ship Canal Project' at Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu. We are proud to mention here that we are the first organisation to urge the Indian Government to conduct Independent International Investigation on 'Sethusamudram Ship Canal Project' and also first to organize meetings among the fisher folks in the East Coast Sea Shore of Tamil Nadu. Visual, Web and Print media covered this widely, not only in India, but also in Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Thailand, UK, Canada, USA etc.
On 08-10-2004, 5 Fisher folk of Rameswaram were detained by Sri Lankan Army personnel. We issued an Urgent Appeal to release them on the basis of the agreement by the both governments.
On 12-10-2004, 16 Human Rights Defenders were detained illegally by the Cuddalore Police. We urged through an Urgent Appeal to the National Human Rights Commission for an enquiry.
On 26-12-2004, Asia was affected by Tsunami and more than 2,80,000 lives were lost in 12 countries. Immediately after this incident, we enrolled volunteers and sent them to the Tsunami hit areas of Coastal Tamil Nadu and in Triconmalee in Sri Lanka.
Education and Training :
To motivate and inculcate the necessity of positive attitudes towards development, our members have participated in various workshops, seminars held in different States of India for a wider exposure in Human Rights and Environment.
Research and Documentation :
The Jammu & Kashmir Coalition of Civil Societies [JKCCS], a well know active NGO in Kashmir has conducted Election Monitoring [Since the Indian Election Commission has declared that observers are free to independently observe], on occasion of April 2004, Indian Parliament Election. Kashmir has been a conflict area for a quite long time and UN has also declared this region as a 'Disputed Region' since 1953. So, World as well Indian people views are focused eagerly on this particular State's election. We represented as one of the independent observers [one of the observer Ms. Aasiya Jeelani, 29, a Human Right activist and freelance journalist died in an IED while observing], for the first 2 phase held at Baramulla constituency and Sri Nagar constituency.
From 17th to 21st of July, 2004, our Executive Director has traveled widely in the East coast belt of Tamil Nadu to observe and for an independent in-depth study on government of India's 'Sethusamudram Ship Canal Project'. Our team went through all aspects such as NEERI reports etc. on the project. After all our study, we have released an interim report on Sethusamudram Ship Canal Project on 30-07-2004. This report has been submitted to proper government authorities for further consideration. Visual, Web and Print media covered widely, not only in India, but also internationally in Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Thailand, UK, Canada, USA etc. Several environmentalists from all over the globe are also contacted for further discussion on this issue.
Along with PSG College of Arts and Science, Coimbatore, Manitham has started Independent in-depth study on 'How the victims [family members trauma] are affected physically, socially, politically, economically, culturally and psychologically [Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder - PTSD] during the past 6 1/2 years [i.e. from 1998 to 2004], in the absence of their family member/s - deceased / accused / disappeared / major injured disabled etc. because of 'Coimbatore Serial Bomb Blast'. For these study, more than 250 families spread across three southern states [Tamil Nadu, Kerala & Karnataka] have to be visited. More than 40 volunteers are engaging in this study.
Members :
Our membership base from various walks of life during the year is steeply increasing. Large number of members is from our home State, Tamil Nadu. New members are also from various Indian States and from International members have also been enrolled. For identification, we are issuing Identification Card for our members. Also we organised a members meeting on 17-03-2004 at Malayalam samaj, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu for our future plan.
Volunteers :
On 26-12-2004, Tsunami took away more than 2,80,000 lives from 12 countries across Asia. We are playing a vital role in the relief work. Lot of volunteers has enrolled with us, and we have placed the volunteers in the Tsunami hit locations in the Tamil Nadu coastal districts and also in Sri Lanka. Volunteers from India and from abroad enrolled for our programme.
Library :
Manitham is operating a small library for the benefit of our members. We receive lot of books as gifts. Publishers of journals, magazines etc. also send their complimentary issues regularly. UN Newsletter, NHRC Newsletter, Ekalm Lokam, Mainstreaming ICTS etc are some of the important magazines we are received.
Web-Site :
The website covers the entire activities of our Manitham. Daily updating is the main unique feature of our site. In nutshell, Manitham's website is a window to the world Community.
E-Newsletters :
Time to time E-Newsletters containing News relating to Human Rights & Environment, have been mailed to more than 134 reputed subscribers across the globe. In 2004 alone, 490 E-Newsletters have been mailed to our subscribers.
Journals & Publications :
Amnesty News Letter, a journal is published from time to time as a private circulation from Manitham. Audio, Video cassette and Compact Disc of the Symposiums, conducted by us earlier are also publications.
Regions :
Some of our International members have shown their interest to start 'Manitham' in their countries. At present it is being formed in Pakistan and Sri Lanka. After seeing their performance, the Regions will be duly recognised by our Secretariat.
Felicitation :
On 28-01-2004, Ms.Kathirin Marphy of Cuba, a Natural Farming Expert visited Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu. On this occasion we organised a felicitation in Coimbatore.
World Human Rights Day, 2004 :
Angikar, an NGO and a partner of Manitham, jointly organised an assembly of more than 500 participants on occasion of the World Human Rights Day, 2004 on 10-12-2004 at National Martyr's Memorial Mausoleum, Dhaka, Bangladesh. Fransisco Marrioetta from UNHRC spoke on the occasion.
Avanishilingam Deemed University [ADU], Coimbatore and Manitham jointly organised a meeting on the occasion of World Human Rights Day, 2004 on 13-12-2004 at Thiruchitarambalam Hall in the University Campus. Owing the functions, presidential address delivered by ADU vice-chancellor Mrs.Saroja Prabhakaran. More than 2000 students were participated in the function.
National & International Partnerships:
Tamil Nadu :
- Peoples Watch-Tamil Nadu, Madurai, Tamil Nadu
- Tamil Nadu Environmental Council, Dindigal, Tamil Nadu
- Coastal Action Network, Nagapattinam, Tamil Nadu
- East Coast Fishermen Protection Movement, Tuticorin, Tamil Nadu
- Virutcham Magalir Munnetra Kalzangiam (VMMK), Virudhunagar, Tamil Nadu
- Osai, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu
India :
- Amnesty International India, New Delhi
- Confederation of Human Rights, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala
- Vigil India Movement, Bangalore, Karnataka
- Forum for Human Rights, Gundur, Andra Pradesh
- Indian Liberal Group, Mumbai, Maharastra
- Jammu & Kashmir Civil Coalition of Societies, Kashmir, India
International :
- Tamil Centre for Human Rights, Paris, France
- Environmental Foundation Ltd, Colombo, Sri Lanka
- Green Movement of Sri Lanka (GMSL), Nugegoda, Sri Lanka
- Angikar Bangladesh, Dhaka, Bangladesh
- Humanitarian rehabilitation Services NE (Lanka), Colombo, Sri Lanka
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LEGAL AID & ASSISTANCE - 2004
Quantum of Services
No. of Visitors 115
Considered Legal Opinion / advise 110
Urgent Intervention 26
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Annual Report in Web :
http://www.tamilinfoservice.com/manitham/ar/2004.htm 
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