Southern States - Karnataka-Bangalore   

Walkathon marks Human Rights Day

By Our Staff Reporter

Bangalore Dec. 10. Poornima, who was a domestic servant at an apartment here, was accused of stealing her employer's jewellery. The employer called in the police who took Ms. Poornima and her husband into custody and allegedly tortured them. Later, it was found that the employer's daughter had taken the jewellery. When Vimochana, a non-governmental organisation working for women's' rights, took up the couple's case, police denied the allegation of torture.

On Wednesday, International Human Rights Day, Ms. Poornima and her husband flagged off a walkathon from Gandhi Park on M.G. Road to St. Joseph's College of Commerce. Justice A.J. Sadashiva, who probed allegations of atrocities against the Special Task Force, was present. The organisers of the walkathon, South India Cell for Human Rights Education and Monitoring (SICHREM), will help the couple approach the National Human Rights Commission for justice.

About 700 people, including children from various schools and colleges, members of NGOs, social activists, National Service Scheme (NSS) volunteers, and teachers, participated in the walkathon.

Mr. Justice Sadashiva said that no citizen should be denied human rights and justice. "The rally should help create awareness among people about their rights," he added.

The children shouted slogans and held up banners on human rights. Members of SICHREM presented awards to students of Poorna Learning Centre for writing on human rights issues. The executive director of SICHREM, Mathews Philip, said the rally was a platform to voice people's opinion against atrocities. The rally was part of the programmes being organised by Mahila Ookutta for the "International fortnight for protesting violence against women".

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