Henry Thiagaraj

< PREV NEXT >

2000

Henry Thiagaraj

Human Rights Defense Network

Chennai, India

The Bold Idea:

One fifth of Indian people are "the untouchables", the Dalits, the indigenous people, most of whom live in poverty and squalor. The Dalits are socially discriminated against, subject to imposed labor and religion for the past 3000 years. Through religious indoctrination, the caste system has contributed to the exploitation, social, and economic deprivation of the Dalits. The Government of India guarantees fundamental rights, freedom from discriminations based on caste, and the removal of untouchability. However the implementation of these constitutional guarantees through a variety of programs for the uplift of the Dalit people has failed to bring the necessary social changes and resistance has resulted in increasing violence on the Dalits. The absence of legal support and legal services for Dalits allows perpetrators of crimes to continue their assault.

The Human Rights Defense Network serves to strengthen the Dalits with knowledge of the law and support from lawyers. Workshops and publications train lawyers who then facilitate a network of local leaders who can influence the opinion of the general public and stimulate social change.

Biography:

Mr. Thiagaraj is the Managing Trustee of DALIT LIBERATION EDUCATION TRUST, which he established in 1985, Founder Director, Human Rights Education Movement of India and Director, Delta Multi‑purpose Youth Training Center. Based on his past experience of working with people from marginalised and untouchable communities in rural poor areas, where people living in poverty are unaware of human rights and are denied of human rights, he evolved a unique synthesis of justice issues with human values.

The United Nations Commission on Human Rights invited him to participate in the World Conference on Human Rights held at Vienna in June`93 where he distributed his publication: "The Wounded Society" depicting the suffering of Dalit people in India. He organized a historically significant National Workshop on Human Rights & Societal Violence on Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in August`96 which received the full cooperation of National Human Rights Commission in India and was attended by leading scholars who greatly appreciated this pioneering effort.

Mr. Thiagaraj has instituted the HUMAN RIGHTS AWARD in India for distinguished service in the field of human rights, which is given annually since 1995.

Mr. Thiagaraj is deeply committed to prevent societal violence through educational programmes to create a "violence‑less" society, by organising youth camps. He has established a multi‑purpose Training Centre for Dalit Youth at the River Palar Delta Region. This Centre is integrating Human Rights with sustainable human development and prepares young people to become community organisers and leaders to face the challenges of 21st Century.

His contributions have been acknowledged worldwide. At present Mr. Thiagaraj is the Asia Director of World Association of Former United Nations Internees and Fellows, Inc. (WAFUNIF), New York.

In recognition of his services, he received the U.N. ‑ Alumni Recognition Award, Seva Ratna Award, the Rays of Hope Award. He was awarded the title of Doctor of Divinity (Honoris Causa) for his distinguished administrative and theological contribution to the Church and Society by The Academy of Ecumenical Indian Theology and Administration in 2002.