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Eviction and Rehabilitation of Baina Beach (Goa) Community
To: Whomsoever Is Concerned Date: May 9, 2004
Subject: Implementation of the Bombay High Court (Goa Bench) Order Relating to Eviction and Rehabilitation of Baina Beach Community
Dear Madam/Sir,
We are a group of non-resident Indians, based in the United States, who are actively involved with Asha for Education – a non-profit NGO that raises money to fund programs for socio-economic change in India. As members of an Asha chapter (Asha Colorado) that works closely with Arz, a development organization whose principal mission is to empower and educate girl children susceptible to prostitution through skills building, literacy, and general awareness as well as to rehabilitate prostituted women and their families and to help curb the child prostitution business, we have come to understand the immense gravity and seriousness of the situation that the Baina Beach community and Arz (and other NGOs in the area) are facing in light of the implementation of the above-mentioned high court order. It is in relation to this critical situation that we hereby submit this petition to you.
As per the reports from Arz and information gathered from onsite visits, we feel the need to draw your attention to several worrying issues that delineate the seriousness of the situation –
- A distinct lack of sensitivity on part of the Goa state officials towards the Baina Beach residents as exhibited by rude and uncivil behavior.
- Apathy on part of the Goa state officials as depicted by a disinterest in understanding the needs and issues of Baina Beach community, a lack of appreciation of the fact that Baina Beach community is composed not only of brothels but also of residential housing, and a notable indifference towards ensuring proper rehabilitation of people who will be eventually evicted.
- Rising violations of human rights of Baina Beach residents, perpetrated by law enforcement agencies, and as shown by systematic terrorization, threatening, and verbal as well as physical harassment and abuse.
- Troublesome interference by state and law enforcement authorities in the community as shown by their cordoning off the red light area, stopping street-side vendors from selling in the area, and barring brothel customers from entering the area – measures that have directly impacted the daily sustenance of prostituted women and their families, more so in the absence of any alternative means of livelihood.
The seriousness of these issues should be gauged in the backdrop of several facts –
- Not all the prostituted women in Baina Beach red light area belong to outside states (Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Maharashtra). There is a group of women who have been born and brought up in Goa.
- The 250 cubicles have not been clearly classified into brothels and residential units. A “blanket” demolition notice has been issued by the government.
- There is community not connected to prostitution living in the red light area.
- Women who have been in Goa for the last 30-40 years are concerned about the nature of rehabilitation that could be offered to them and their families.
- A sizeable portion of the affected population has long term residential status in Goa. Expecting these people and their families to dislodge their entire social support structure and move to another place is a tall and demanding order.
- Displacement without rehabilitation is going to inevitably lead to dispersal, increase in exploitation, child prostitution, health hazards and spiraling risks to women and children.
In particular, we feel efforts need to be to do the following –
- Conduct a survey in concert with NGOs such as ARZ to not only understand the needs of Baina Beach residents and the makeup of the community but also to help these NGOs preserve their work efforts and mission in the Baina Beach area.
- Encourage active participation of such groups as the State Commission for Women, Women & Child Welfare Department, and Baina Beach NGOs by forming a team composed of representatives from such bodies to create a feasible plan that will ensure implementation of the high court order in its right spirit.
- Devise an effective rehabilitation strategy for the residents who will be evicted; create rehabilitation sites both within and outside Goa, along with proper means of sustenance for evictees, with help from relevant central and state government agencies.
- Ensure that Baina Beach residents are treated in a humane and respectful manner by helping to put an end to gross human rights violations, unnecessary threatening and harassment.
- Guarantee that the Baina Beach residents have a means of livelihood during this planning and implementation phase.
We solemnly request you to take note of these disturbing developments and do everything in your power to help ensure that the above action points are implemented. We feel this is important not only for the rights of the Baina Beach community but also for the mission and work of development organizations such as Arz.
Thanking you,
Yours sincerely,
Signatories to the Petition
Disclaimer: The views expressed in the petition are those of the signatories who have endorsed this petition and in no way, in part or in whole, represent the views of Asha-Colorado or Asha for Education. Asha for Education cannot be held liable for any views expressed herein. Please contact Mangesh Kanaskar (m_kanaskar@hotmail.com) for further information and/or questions.
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Individuals volunteering to further the cause of education for the poor and the underprivileged community in India and thereby helping to bring about socio-economic change. |
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