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Salwa Judum, and government security forces, or advocating on behalf of
victims of human rights abuses. Ensure humanitarian organizations have free
and safe access to provide assistance to displaced persons and others
affected by the conflict.
Protect and assist persons displaced by the conflict
• Take measures at all levels of government to stop harassment by police, SPOs,
or Salwa Judum members of displaced persons who have resumed cultivation,
and those who have returned to their villages.
• Ensure, in accordance with the UN Guiding Principles, that internally
displaced persons are protected against attacks or other acts of violence, and
that they are provided without discrimination, safe access to essential food
and potable water, basic shelter and clothing, and essential medical services
and sanitation.
• Set up a state-level planning committee to facilitate the return of villagers
who are willing to return to their villages. The planning committee should
consist of representatives of governmental, nongovernmental, and
intergovernmental organizations with relevant expertise, as well as
representatives of gram panchayats (elected village-level council) from
evacuated villages and other displaced villagers drawn from tribal
communities (not only gram panchayat members). The committee should
develop a return program that will ensure that displaced communities can
return to their homes in safety and dignity, and resume their livelihoods. All
return programs should be consistent with the UN Guiding Principles and
respect the rights of internally displaced communities.
• Ensure that infrastructure for villages is restored at least to the standard that
existed prior to their destruction and evacuation, at state cost.
• Form a district-level team including NGOs, activists, government officials, and
displaced persons to conduct a new survey of displaced persons from camps
and other sites who wish to return to their villages. This survey should include
documentation of family and village names, and the losses incurred by each
family during displacement.
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Human Rights Watch July 2008