|
|
 |
 |
| Sunday, 25 January 2004 |
 |
|
 |
Features |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
|
Relocation and land rights: Refugee voices not heard in decision making by Vimukthi Fernando Women - that fifty percent of the population. The protectors and nurturers of civilization. What choices do they have faced with adversity? Especially when categorized or labelled as refugees or IDP (internally displaced people). Who looks into their rights? Who protects them, and who violates? What needs to be done to protect their rights to lead their lives with dignity? What are their needs and wants?
The smiling face contrasts with demure colours of her simple cotton dress. A sing-song voice, with traces of bubbly laughter greet me. In her 20s, with an Australian background Sophia Elek's vivacious personality is what attracts you first. There's more, however. Though petite in appearance, she is whopping in determination and commitment - I soon realize. Sophia Elek is committed to the cause of empowering women and bringing about change in the lives of the 'exiles' of the land. At a time of transition from a nation of conflict to a nation of peace, it is "exciting to be in Sri Lanka and experience the situation first hand," says Sophia. "My interest in working with the IDP started in India where I was working with the Centre for Human Rights and Democracy" she adds. She had been involved in working with refugees from Nepal who fled the country and lived in the Indian border. "I had first hand experience of what they were going through to achieve their basic needs, further they are deprived of education, health services and there is systemic discrimination wherever you look. It was an amazing opportunity to really experience what exile meant. In Sri Lanka it is the same, though it is internal. And since the issues had been there a long time, there should be continuous lobbying in favour of the IDP to promote the rights and provide them with better living conditions." Though IDP faces many problems, the issue of relocating comes first, says Sophia. Next is the issue of land rights - where women especially women headed households are concerned. Landmines or de-mining is yet another key issue. "It is a pathetic situation. 95 percent of landmine victims know they are in minefields. They risk their lives." Lack of livelihoods is another basic and connected issue. Therefore, the key to dignified resettlement is the provision of practical survival needs says Sophia. But what are the practical ways of providing these needs? "Listening to the people before determining what needs to happen. Including people themselves in decision-making. We do not hear their voices. Participation is the key to development that is long lasting. It is terrible. There, it is not happening at all. "Decisions are made in Colombo and people have to deal with it in the field", says Sophia. Decision makers disregard the peoples needs very easily. She cites the example of the struggle of a non government organization (NGO) to issue birth certificates for the children born in IDP settlements. When the proposal for a mobile unit to issue birth certificates was tabled it was vetoed at the local government level. "There is a clear need to get their fundamental rights met. Some proposals have been rejected on the basis of dubious questions about beneficiaries and their real needs." The fundamental rights for identity, education and health care must be provided without bias, she says. What aggravates the problems faced by IDP, is the bias of the local communities in the areas they live in, says Sophia. There is substantial evidence of the fact, when it comes to areas where IDP population is over and above the local population as in the Puttalam district. "There is a lot of tension there. Land prices have gone up and relationships are very strained. At first they had been welcoming but now it is very much more divided. And there is the case of a woman whose application for the position of secretary of a local women's group was rejected on the grounds that she was not from the area, even though she lived there for 13 years, her sons got married to local families. This kind of discrimination still exists." However, no racial bias exists between the IDP, says Sophia. "They share key difficulties. And whatever the ethnic group they belong to IDP share similarities. However some groups are bitter at times, due to the feeling some other community gets more support than they do." The war has brought in a positive impact on the women as well, she suggests. The women, specially the leaders of the female headed households play a courageous and strong role, stepping out from their traditional role of submissive caretakers. "Women are strongly activated wherever they are. They have formed into small groups. Negotiate and liaise with government, NGO and other private parties on IDP issues. Amidst a myriad of hardships facing poverty, trauma and uncertainty their spirit, determination and resilience and their commitment to family survival is impressive." So, in such a situation, what would be her recommendations to bring about a better lifestyle for the IDP community and to build up their dignity? The key is the rights based approach, she says. "Participation of IDP in planning and priority setting is of paramount importance. Their right to determine how policies are formulated and resources distributed should be respected. Further, the participation of IDP women is essential. Despite the active role of Sri Lankan women in conflict resolution, they continue to be marginalized. IDP women and those at grassroots are unaware of how they could contribute. Their participation should be sought. Their voices must be heard." |
|
News | Business | Features
| Editorial | Security Produced by Lake House |
What do they need and want? A window to the ground realities and a
practical view at conflict resolution is the efforts of a young researcher
'Choosing Rice over Risk - Rights, Resettlement and Displaced Women'. The
Sunday Observer, met its author, Sophia Elek recently to discuss her views
and experience.
