“Being Neutral is Our Biggest Crime” - Global Coalition to Protect ...

protect the rights of the displaced tribal communities in accordance with the United
Nations Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement.
In late 2007 Human Rights Watch traveled to Khammam and Warrangal districts of
Andhra Pradesh to meet with some of the IDPs settled in these areas. Since June
2005, around 30,000 to 50,000 IDPs from Chhattisgarh have settled in Andhra
Pradesh.
A majority of the IDPs we met stated that they fled from Chhattisgarh to escape
attacks by Salwa Judum members and government security forces. They also stated
that they were reluctant to return to Chhattisgarh until there was a concrete plan by
the government to ensure their safe return in consultation with them.
The UN Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement, while not a binding instrument,
reflect and are consistent with international human rights and humanitarian law.
They provide that displaced persons have the rights to seek safety in any part of the
country, to liberty and freedom to choose their residence, and to protection against
forcible return to or resettlement in any place where their life, safety, liberty or health
would be at risk. Displaced persons also have the right to an adequate standard of
living. The guidelines also state that plans for relocation and rehabilitation should
be drawn up in consultation with displaced persons, especially women.
Unfortunately, instead of adopting the safeguards set out in these guidelines, the
Andhra Pradesh forest department has repeatedly forcibly evicted and relocated
many IDPs without developing a safe rehabilitation arrangement in consultation with
them. The Andhra Pradesh authorities have also failed to extend government welfare
benefits to many IDPs.
We urge you to use your extraordinary powers under the Fifth Schedule of the Indian
Constitution and ensure that:
d) IDPs are publicly consulted and given opportunities to participate in decision
making processes.
“Being Neutral is Our Biggest Crime” 160