Date:25/05/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/05/25/stories/2007052510130400.htm

Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram

Jurist criticises hartals

Staff Reporter

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: K.T. Thomas, former Supreme Court judge, has criticised attempts by organisations to block movement of people in the name of hartals.

Speaking after releasing the Amnesty International Report 2007 here on Wednesday, Mr. Thomas said hartals had become a systematic effort by a minority belonging to organised groups to deprive a large majority of people the right to free movement.

He said the freedom of the press was vital for the sustenance of democracy.

People of India realised the importance of it during the dark days of Emergency, he said.

It was through the interventions of organisations such as the Amnesty International that the outside world knew of the excesses committed during the Emergency.

Harsh Mandar, human rights activist, said demolitions of the Berlin Wall, the Babri Masjid and the World Trade Centre contributed significantly to the growing denial of human rights.

Protection of rights

He said another edition of the freedom movement would have to be launched in the country to protect the rights of the poor for food, shelter, clothing and employment as well as to preserve the secular- democratic fabric of the country.

Sarah Joseph, writer, received the first copy of the report.

Minister for Forests Benoy Viswom presided.