Mass Rapes in South Kivu: DRC

UN recently observed with concern the rape of 67 women by soldiers in South Kivu, DR Congo. The incident is reported to have occurred on the New Year eve. What a terrible beginning for the victims, who otherwise possibly would have looked forward to a new year in which their lives could have been better.

Crimes against women are perpetrated with impunity across the world, since most legal systems demand exacting standards of evidence and the trauma apart, the victim is made to relive the horror a dozen times during the trial. That is to say in normal societies. In societies torn by internecine wars - mooted for political, racial and other such concerns, the state of victims is worse. For years the international mechanism will debate, legal intervention will come forth only when 'powerful' sympathizers will call for action (moving the security Council to intervene is not at the will of a hapless victim gang-raped in the wilderness of Africa, or is it?) Then the perpetrators will abscond and an international search will be done to apprehend. The trials will commence, and every fair opportunity will be given to the accused to defend himself. At the end of it all, he (or they) will be incarcerated.

Yes, it is a long process and could be exasperating. It is a challenge to international community and the conscience of humanity. But we need to do this. A little more, if possible, to hasten this process and find foolproof mechanisms to ensure that the perpetrators are brought to justice quickly.

We need to, as people of the world, set aside our parochial concerns and come together for common cause. This is not about moral obligation to fellow beings, it is about our duty to ourselves; about giving our children a world where they can live without fear; about creating a comity of nations committed to human values sans politics!

Let us put our voices, thoughts and pens together for a world that is free of crimes against women and world that is accountable for its actions!   


 

Defending The Defenders

In a recent visit to India, UN Rapporteur Margaret Sekaggya, called upon the Govt to promulgate an act to defend the Human Rights defenders. Democratic governments owe it to their citizens such measures. World over, though we have embraced universal standards of Human Rights, abuse of such rights by government machinery as well as autocratic regimes and groups remains a major concern.

Fair and equal treatment before law, freedom from arbitrary arrest and confinement without trial, freedom from torture and de-human treatment are some of the most fundamental of rights of citizens everywhere. Racial and religious marginalization of peoples, persecution in the name of ideologies and denial of fundamental rights in the name of security concerns are plagues that have refused to wither away.

Individuals in governance as well as in the streets have to look at these issues with a clear conscience and uphold them in every which way - through law, action and support. we are humans and we need to set standards of living that are human! Defending the defenders is a moral duty, since they have shown the courage and conviction that many policy makers do not have! We need to support them by our thoughts, prayers and actions!     

We owe it to Haiti!

In a recent report published by RFK Center for Justice and Human Rights, the plight of Haitians for access to clean drinking water was highlighted. Haiti is rated as 147th out of 147 countries on Water Poverty Index. Worse, the report indicates that US has blocked the loan from IDB for water related projects in Haiti that would have made the lives of Haitians better.

We, as the world, have certain obligations to one another, not withstanding the racial, political, liguistic and other differences that may influence our actions on other planes. We are human first and all human must have free access to water, air and food to survive. These are not merely fundamental Human Rights. These are inalienable Rights of all humans, because we are born human. Governments and Rulers across the world must not forget that unless we make what is available aplenty in nature to everyone, they will fail in the foremost duty to mankind.

There is a thought provoking line in one of Subramanya Bharathi's (a patriotic Tamil poet who lived during the Indian freedom movement) poem -" Thani oruvanukku unau illaiyel, jagathinai erithiduvom" meaning, 'if one human does not get food, we will burn down the evil world'. The poem was about how the new India will emerge, how all the rivers will be linked to provide water to every region in the country, how foodgrain production will be increased and how everything in plenty will be made available to all Indians. In such a country where everything is aplenty, if one individual does not get food, such a world should be burnt down.

The inequalities in the world would continue to persist. There would always be rich and poor nations. There would remain political, regional and racial divides. Yeah, we will continue to work for removing these differences so that we can be one world and one people.In the mean while, let us not forget that we, inspite of all our differences, are still humans only! This basic fact can not and should not be obliterated due to other considerations. 'We are the world, we are the children' -such simple world yet so true, from Michael Jackson!

Let us do our duty to Haiti, and all other Haitis in other parts of the world. Share and we will be one. Give, because that way we will receive!

     

No one killed Jessica !

The movie 'No one killed Jessica' is an interesting insight into the system of criminal justice, role of media on social issues and journalistic courage. More importantly, it is about reinforcing a common man's belief in Justice. For every Jessica who got justice (may God keep her soul in peace), there are hundreds of others who have no means to obtain the same. Crime against ordinary citizens in countries across the world is a matter of great concern since it is these common men and women who need a system of governance to take care of their lives and grievances.

One of the important lessons from Jessica's case is about witness protection. Apart from deficiencies in the Indian legal system on the issue, attitude of law makers, police and Judiciary on the subject need a serious makeover in order to ensure that ordinary citizens get courage to speak up for justice. In societies where poverty, social inequalities and marginalisation prevail, justice suffers due to the lack of sufficient protection to witnesses.

The International Criminal Court's model on witness protection program and procedures is a good example of such a step that may be replicated within the ambit of criminal law system of any country. It is time that such issues beget serious consideration of law makers every where so that Jessicas of the world get faster justice!   

Managing Conflicts in Organisations

Introduction

1.         Productivity in any organization depends on various factors like well defined organizational objectives, optimal manpower, infrastructure and efficient team work. An intrinsic factor that poses great challenge in the work place and impacts productivity negatively is conflict that arises in the environment. Conflicts in work place arise in every conceivable dimension, viz,

·                    Inter departmental conflicts

·                    Inter personal conflicts

·                    Internal conflicts within individuals

Managing Inter Departmental Conflicts

2.         Conflicts between departments arise when their objectives are at cross roads and tangentially differ from company objectives. At times, rivalry due to differences in perception amongst people in charge of departments gets transformed into departmental rivalries. Top management has the onerous responsibility to be sensitive to factors that result in such conflict and resolve them through skillful management and re-orientation. Training people in leadership positions and building teamwork ethos at higher level management are crucial to prevent these conflicts from damaging company performance. A functioning and open channel of communication, both vertical and lateral, is vital in any organization. Effective and clear channel of communication mitigates most of the causes of conflicts.

Managing Inter Personal Conflicts

3.         These occur at all levels of interaction primarily due to perceptional differences. Sensitivity to ethno-social differences, empathy and transparency in HR policies are fundamental to minimize conflict situations. Managements generally believe that employees end up at odds with each other due to jealousy, lack of attitude and unhealthy competition. There is also a tendency to brand an employee who voices his opinions as ‘rebellious’ or ‘attention seeker’. This is not always true. Across the spectrum, employees have a deep sense of right & wrong, as much as the management does. Since the management knows the ‘big picture’, employees’ perception may seem unviable or even down right silly. Under such conditions there is a tendency to force the decisions ‘down the throat’ resulting in conflicts. In my experience, I find that this is counter productive. When faced with such situations, it would be better to take the employees into confidence and make them appreciate the need to adopt a particular course of action (of course, without divulging what they ought not to know!). Needless to say, a lot of tact and conviction to convince are needed in these moments to resolve a crisis. Employees usually surprise you by their willing cooperation when you tell them why we need to do what we intend to do. Remember that leadership is not about taking people where you want them to reach; it is about showing them how to reach where they want to reach.

4.         Interpersonal conflicts have a purely personal dimension too at work places. People tend to bicker and quarrel when they find that they are marginalized, not given their due, or perceive bias. Professional jealousy indeed is a matter to reckon with. However, one also finds that in organizations where the objectives of all functions are well defined; the pace of work is healthy; reward mechanism is both tangible and prompt (not all rewards need to be monetary, ‘good show’ pats work wonders too!), minor irritants dissolve automatically and major ones do not get time to seed and grow. Internal audit of work environment, removal of procedural hurdles to professional achievements and opportunities to growth through a healthy and fair process of talent spotting are some of the steps an organization needs to take to minimizing grouse and conflicts in work environment.

Managing Internal Conflicts within Individuals

5.         One may wonder why this is relevant to an organization. As individuals, we all have various pressures playing on our minds all the time. Needs of the family, duty to parents, education of children, acquisition of property and comforts for life, saving for rainy days and various such factors constantly work on our subconscious. These tend to distract an individual at times from the tasks at hand. Add to them the demands and pressures of the work place as well as the justifiable anxiety for professional advancement, one can understand the complexity of pressures playing upon our minds. These pressures find a crack at the office or at home and invariably explode. Worse, we find that some of the most efficient employees suddenly become obstructionist, difficult or even, demotivated. Sadly, some even opt to end their lives, unable to cope up with these pressures.

6.         It would sound logical to say that an organization could not care less, if an employee is ‘weak’ in his mind. But saying so only reflects the organization’s inability to understand that people are its strongest asset. Processes and machines can only deliver when its people do. And, everyone counts. It takes years of experience (at organisation’s expense) to produce a good workman. Just letting him go makes a vacuum that is not only difficult to fill but may take as many years too.

7.         The family of the employee who chooses such a path loses the bread winner and adds to the social responsibilities of the society at large.

8.         Therefore, there are professional, moral and social responsibilities on an organization to help an individual find answers to his troubles. Professionally, there ought to be policies and programs that cater to the individual’s need for recreation, medical cover, travel, housing and insurance. A purposeful counseling mechanism that can help him find answers to his other worries is also needed. The message that organization ‘cares for you’ is one that every employee must get from every facet of its functioning and climate.       

 

Conclusion

    

9.         There is also a newer dimension to managing inter departmental conflicts. A controlled and ‘guided’ conflict can result in greater productivity. It is like the conduct of war. The organization must know the stakes, be prepared for ‘necessary’ losses, regulate it to minimize ‘collateral’ damage and declare ‘ceasefire’ the moment the goal is realized. It is what it sounds – a game. But then, that is what leadership and management is all about. Those who do not want to aspire and grow by taking challenges can not run corporations. They may well be saints!

Crimes against women in Cote de Ivoire

“No longer can heads of State, and other actors, be sure that they can commit atrocious violations and get away with it,” UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay said in Geneva , announcing that she had written a letter “in the strongest terms” to Laurent Gbagbo, who insists that he won November’s run-off elections despite international recognition of opposition leader Alassane Ouattara as the clear victor.
The Human Rights Commissioner Navi Pillay's letter to President Laurent Gbagbo of Ivory Coast (Cote De Ivoire) is a wake up call to regimes that use state power to abuse citizens. She was right in observing that eads of State who indulge in such atrocities will no more go unheeded and the International Justice mechanism will render necessary justice.

After the ICTR, rulers every where must keep in mind that ethnic cleansing and crimes against women are monstrosities that the International Community will no more tolerate. Not with standing the monetary or political compulsions, nations must unite in such common cause to eradicate the malaise of innocents being victimized for political ends.

Voices big and small, individually and as nations, must unite to bring strictures on countries that indulge in such practices and justice to the victims of such crimes.