About 'Citizens for Justice and Peace'

Crime Against Humanity Volume 2 An inquiry into the carnage in Gujarat -- Findings And Recommendations by Concerned Citizens Tribunal -Gujarat 2002

About 'Citizens for Justice and Peace'

Aims & Objects

The burning of innocent women and children inside a train at Godhra on February 27 and thesubsequent ethnic cleansing of Muslims in Gujarat, justified by chief minister Narendra Modias a 'natural reaction', has thrown up an unprecedented challenge to Indian democracy andthe rule of law.

To respond to this brazen communal assault on the country's secular democratic polity,concerned citizens from Mumbai and Ahmedabad have came together on March 31, 2002 toform an 'Association of Persons' (AOP), to be called, Citizens for Justice and Peace -CJP.

Activities

Following intensive interaction and consultation with a wide cross-section of survivors of thecarnage in Gujarat lawyers, human rights groups and communal harmony/ peace activistsfrom across the country, CJP has set for itself the task of mobilising finances for the followingactivities:

1. Citizens' Tribunal: Gujarat 2002: A Citizens' Tribunal consisting of retired judgesand prominent citizens from different walks of life will examine and investigate theincident of arson at Godhra and the subsequent statewide violence that took lives,destroyed property and attacked cultural symbols and places of worship of sectionsof the population.

2. Public Interest Litigation: To make legal interventions in the Gujarat High Court andthe Supreme Court for the redressal of grievances ( Relief, Rehabilitation, Reparationby the Gujarat state) and prosecution of all those guilty for the killing of innocents inGodhra and the rest of Gujarat ( Punish the Guilty!).

3. Intervention before the Gujarat-govt. appointed official commission of inquiry: Toassist any lawyer/ team of lawyers formed to effectively highlight before the commis-sionthe case of the victims and survivors of violence.

4. Public campaign and advocacy: To build public opinion on the need for justice asan essential step towards reconciliation and peace.

5. Relief and rehabilitation: To accept contributions from concerned citizens andorganisations and assist organisations, groups and individuals engaged in relief workin Gujarat.

6. Documentation, Research, Translation: To put together the information needed forany or all of the activities outlined above.

7. Legal Training: To hold legal training workshops in order to prepare a team of juniorlawyers and social activists who will assist senior advocates in the various legalinterventions proposed.

The proposed activities will be carried out by members of CPJ or by other appropriateindividuals or organisations selected by the CPJ Working Committee.

The accounts will be audited by a reputed chartered accountant and extracts of the auditor'sreport will be sent to all persons/ organisations contributing Rs. 5,000 or more. All contributorscan, however, obtain the extract of the audited report on request.

No surplus is anticipated but in case there is, it will be applied for similar objectselsewhere in India.

All cheques should be drawn in favour of 'Citizens for Justice and Peace' and posted tothe address given below.

Members of CJP

The following are members of the committee formed to mobilise resources and oversee itsjudicious disbursal for the activities identified above.

MUMBAI:Alyque Padamsee, Anil Dharkar, Cyrus Guzder, Ghulam Mohammed, I. M. Kadri, Javed Akhtar, Nandan Maluste, TitooAhluwalia, Vijay Tendulkar, Teesta Setalvad, Javed Anand

AHMEDABAD:Indubhai Jani, Uves Sareshwala, Batuk Vora, Fr. Cedric Prakash, Najmal Almelkar

Address:P. O. Box No. 28253, Juhu Post Office, Juhu, MUMBAI – 400 049.

Phone/ fax: 2660 22 88; Phone: 2660 39 27; e-mail cjp02in@ yahoo. com