Liberation Volume 57 No1 2014 International Womens Day Issue £1.50

Also Inside – History of Liberation + Nigeria

Tamils + Tuna + West Papua + Book Review

JOURNAL OF LIBERATION, FORMERLY THE MOVEMENT FOR COLONIAL FREEDOM Liberation EDITORIAL Volume 57 No 1 March 2014 adopted 43 restrictions on ac- the fast-food industry. Strikes ISSN 0024 1873 cess to abortion in the first half at places like McDonald’s, 75-77 St John Street, , EC1M 4NN of 2013 — as many as enacted Burger King and Wendy’s have Phone & Fax 44 0207 324 2498 & 2489 in all of 2012. mushroomed from seven cities On June 18, the House of a month ago to about 60 cities E-mail [email protected] Representatives passed a bill on Aug. 29. And it’s women, Website (228-196) that would restrict often single mothers, who are http://www.liberationorg.co.uk abortions after 22 weeks on leading chants like “We can’t the unscientific supposition survive on $7.25!” Women are Editorial that a fetus feels pain at that also demanding living wages E-mail [email protected] point in its development. Since and benefits at Walmart. Phone & Fax 44 020 7229 5831 it is a direct challenge to the Taking note of that and of the 1973 Supreme Court decision fact that women are now 49 Editor - George Anthony. legalizing abortion, the bill will percent of the workforce, with Other than the editorial, the opinions in the articles never be passed by the Senate. an increasing number being inside are not necessarily those of Liberation. The impetus for it, as noted by their families’ primary bread- many sources, was to winners, the AFL-CIO, in prepa- The date of Aug. 26 was tion suits in state court rather “energize” the Republicans’ ration for its Los Angeles con- named Women’s Equality Day than in federal court.) Tea Party base — as if limiting vention Sept. -8 12, held several in 1971 because that’s the day The Houston Chronicle re- women’s rights was an invigor- sessions for women workers to in 1920 when women, after vealed in early August that ating, kick-ass sport. discuss their most pressing years of intense struggle, final- Perry had vetoed the bill after Women rising up issues. The list included things ly won the right to vote with being lobbied by the Texas The fact that Sen. Wendy like good paying jobs for all; the passage of the 19th Retailers Association at the Davis conducted an 11-hour equal pay for equal work; paid Amendment to the Constitu- behest of million-dollar Macy’s filibuster to try to stop the anti- family leave; and quality, free tion. and Kroger Food stores. For abortion bill inspired a pro- education, child care and That date is deeply ironic this that veto, Perry earns the title choice upsurge lasting days at health care with the full range year, given the recent Supreme of “capitalist stooge.” the Texas Capitol. Thousands of reproductive justice issues, Court ruling striking down key For signing one of the most of women, many wearing or- including no discrimination provisions of the 1965 Voting stringent anti-abortion laws in ange shirts, converged on Aus- against lesbians, transwomen Rights Act. the nation, Perry wins the title tin, with 1,200 signing up to and women with disabilities. Already Texas and North Car- of “most misogynist U.S. gover- testify at hearings against the These are topics the women’s olina have enacted severe re- nor.” The law will force 90 per- bill on July 2. Meanwhile, 5,000 movement has demanded ac- strictions on voting. Similar cent of abortion clinics in Texas pro-choice protesters demon- tion on over the past 40 years. laws have already been passed — all but five out of 42 — to strated outside. Their activism What’s significant is that the in other states, so the ruling close because they do not inspired women in states like organized labour movement gives a green light for more. meet totally irrelevant physical Wisconsin and North Carolina appears, at long last, to be seri- The ruling allows states to cre- requirements as ambulatory to likewise defend their right to ously listening to women. But ate obstacles that in effect de- health centres. legal abortion. it will take a long, hard, united ny voting rights to people of That means thousands of One of the most far-reaching fight to destroy capitalism, an color, the elderly, youth and poor women, mostly those signs of an upsurge of women economic system based on rural people the most — and to affected by the voting law, will fighting for equality is their oppression and exploitation, thousands of women in the also be denied many additional participation in the movement before U.S. women can truly process. It is a ruling that vio- life-saving health care services to end poverty-level wages in celebrate equality. lates the 19th Amendment. provided at women’s clinics. So it’s hypocritical to com- What adds lustre to Perry’s Women in struggle memorate Women’s Equality misogynist crown is that he has Day when state and federal also refused to expand Medi- governments do not promote caid coverage to people in Tex- women’s equality. as as mandated by Obamacare, ‘Most misogynist denying thousands of needy U.S. governor’ women no-cost health care Take the dirty deeds Texas coverage. Gov. Rick Perry has recently State governors in Wisconsin, dealt women. Not only did North Carolina, Ohio and Colo- Perry sign the Texas voting bill, rado are runners up in the mi- but he vetoed a state bill man- sogynist category, since they dating equal pay for women. also signed laws limiting wom- (State bills, passed by 42 en’s right to legal abortion. states, make it much less costly According to a Guttmacher for women to bring discrimina- report released July 8, states

Liberation 2 Association, which he chaired, Chris and spearheaded the campaign to oppose discrimination Braithwaite against colonial seamen. He By Christian also joined the International African Friends of Abyssinia Hogsbjerg and became secretary of the International African Service Bookmarks Bureau formed by George Pad- more. Stan Newens He was a powerful speaker reviews and addressed numerous Chris Braithwaite meetings. In summer 1935 he spoke at a rally in Trafalgar Communist Party, some After spending a number of tant, , in Square with C.L.R. James, trade unionists, journalists and years in the United States, he efforts to defend the Scottis- George Padmore and Jomo other outspoken figures con- came to London in the 1920s boro boys – nine negro youths Kenyatta. During World War II sistently promoted the idea of and obtained employment as charged in the USA on dubious Chris Braithwaite continued his self-government for the colo- an agent with the Shipping grounds with the alleged rape activities and spoke at a num- nies. They were joined in this Federation, finding men to of two white girls. ber of meetings organised by work by increasing numbers of crew ships. With another Caribbean, Ar- the . Asian, African and West Indian Racist discrimination against nold Ward, Chris Braithwaite His sudden death from pneu- representatives like C.L.R. colonial seamen was not only formed the Negro Welfare As- monia in 1944 left his widow James, George Padmore, practised by shipping compa- sociation and struck up a close and six children in bleak straits Kwame Nkrumah, Jomo Ken- nies at that time: it was sup- friendship with the left wing in their Stepney home, but his yatta, Mahatma Gandhi and ported by the National Sailors activist Nancy Cunard, a great friends – particularly Ethel Pandit Nehru. & Firemen’s Union, which later granddaughter of Sir Samuel Mannin, her partner Reg Reyn- Christian Hogsbjerg has pro- became the National Union of Cunard, founder of the well olds and John McNair of the ILP duced a book on another of Seamen. known shipping line. They – raised money to assist them. these, Chris Braithwaite, whose Adopting the pseudonym served on the NWA committee As a deeply committed social- name has been largely for- Chris Jones, to avoid victimisa- together. ist, opponent of racism and gotten because he died at 59 tion, Chris Braithwaite began Like George Padmore, Chris advocate of colonial freedom, years of age in 1944, long be- to work with the Seamen’s Braithwaite dropped out of the Chris Braithwaite deserves to fore historians began to record Minority Movement under the Communist Party when the be remembered. The author the anti-imperialist struggle. leadership of a well known Popular Front policy was and the Socialist History Socie- Born in 1885 in Barbados, the Communist, George Hardy, and launched by the USSR, as this ty are to be congratulated on grandson of a slave, Chris joined the Communist Party involved damping down sup- the publication of this book, Braithwaite was encouraged by himself. port in western Europe for the which is available from Book- his parents to read English clas- In addition to defending the anti-colonial struggle. marks, 1 Bloomsbury Street, sics but left home to go to sea interests of black seamen, he He then formed a new organ- London, WC1B 3QE. at 17 or 18 years of age. joined a fellow Caribbean mili- isation, the Colonial Seamen’s

seen a different picture. Back Readers are invited to follow then, we'd just won huge com- us on Twitter: you can find us mitments from all major super- @LiberationOrg. Our account: markets on their own-brand https://twitter.com/ tinned tuna. LiberationOrg But now it looks like unsus- Back issues of our journal are tainability is back on the now available to download shelves, dressed up in a differ- for free on our website. ent coloured can. A new brand At present, the digital ar- called Oriental and Pacific, chives contain the last ten which is fished with destructive years of our bi-monthly publi- Tesco & Tuna aisle. Even though the tins all methods that kill turtles, cation, going back to March look pretty similar, there's a sharks and rays alongside the 2003. Visitors are invited to huge difference in what's in- you could close your eyes tuna, has been spotted in check the website regularly, If side.https:secure.greenpeace. and let your imagination Tesco shops all across the UK. as we are planning to intro- org.uk/page/ If supermarkets begin to re- duce more features, such as transport you to anywhere in m/583071c3/6408149f/63879 the world, I bet you wouldn't place sustainable brands on the option to browse our 01c/2050634e/2481742085/ their shelves with cheap, journal by countries and top- chose your local Tesco. VEsH/ But bear with me a moment dodgy tuna, then the commit- ics. Please visit If you were walking through ments aren’t worth the paper http://liberationorg.co.uk/ and let's imagine ourselves this tinned tuna aisle a few walking down the tinned tuna they’re printed on. journal%20Archives.html years ago, you would have Greenpeace Liberation 3 British centre against imperialism Marika Sherwood on the birth of Liberation to support the counter- Imperialism’. The pamphlet exhibition to the state- informs readers, for example, sponsored British Empire Exhi- on the working conditions of bition in Glasgow? It was an- Lascars (Indian seamen); the nounced in the International ‘ring that owns the trading and African Service Bureau (IASB)’s transport industries’ and cocoa International African Opinion production in West Africa; the Fenner Brockway with Tony Benn on July 1938 that ‘the Inde- ‘pass system’ in South Africa. pendent Labour Party working 1939 with the co-operation of the At a conference organised by IASB will stage an anti- Fenner Brockway and George According to a letter from Colonial struggle…. a sort of imperialist exhibition in Glas- Padmore in January, J.H. Hud- Frank Horrabin, Fenner Brock- “Colonial International”’. Fen- gow side-by-side with the Im- son of the Independent Labour way and Arthur Bollard to ner Brockway spoke at the perialist one [which] is de- Party argued that the ‘British ‘Dear friend’, the British Centre October conference. It would signed…to deceive the world Empire was the greatest threat Against Imperialism (BCAI) had therefore appear that Brock- that all is going well within the to peace … The emancipation been formed in 1937 to way was following up on the Empire’. The Workers Empire of subject peoples is an essen- help subject peoples in their success of Padmore’s confer- Exhibition in Glasgow was held tial condition for full democra- struggle for independence. ences to reinvigorate the BCAI. in August 1938 to counteract cy at home’. The Centre was Conferences and meetings Why did Padmore and his the government’s Exhibition, now organised with a Council were held and many pam- colleagues hand over the or- which aimed to ‘show the po- of 19, comprising 10 colonials phlets published. In 1938 the ganising of this work to Brock- tentialities of the Empire…, to and 9 ‘imperialists’. Daniel Anti-Imperialism Exhibition way? Perhaps because he had stimulate Scottish production’. Guérin, a Parisian anarchist/ was organised in Glasgow and more contacts with White anti- According to the chronicler of marxist/anti-colonial activist, London….Most colonial organi- colonial activists and with par- the Exhibition, the ‘live exhib- attended and undertook sations here were represented liamentarians, and easier ac- its’ evoked ‘blatant contempt’. setting up a similar organisa- on the committee and close cess and funds? Twelve and half million people tion in France. The two organ- contact maintained with or- 1937-8 attended and historian Robert isations issued ‘A Warning to ganisations in other countries, Fenner Brockway was clearly Crampsey notes that there Colonial People’ in August including the French Centre concerned with colonial issues were many enquiries about 1939: Against Imperialism in Paris… very early in his long career. At emigration! The colonial masses in war, [T]emporary suspension during its inauguration in 1927 he was , who was one as in peace, can have only one the war…but in 1942 arrest of appointed International Chair- of the speakers at the opening aim, one goal – INDEPEND- Congress Leaders in India re- man of the League Against of the Workers’ Exhibition, ENCE. And we summon you in sulted in the formation of a Imperialism. In his inaugural reported that the exhibition whatever country – India, Cey- subsidiary, the Indian Freedom speech on election to Parlia- was ‘a gesture from the work- lon, Burma, Palestine, Africa – Campaign Committee… It is ment in 1929, he denounced ers and an attempt to show the all people who fight for this essential for the British Centre the Bill for Colonial Develop- other side of the face of the end, to unite against the war- to renew its activities without ment which permitted the use British Empire’. The exhibition mongers, both Democratic and delay…’ of forced labour and even child aimed not only to present the Fascist, and all those who at The letter is dated 1 Decem- labour’. By 1937 he had been information carefully omitted this hour pledge in your name ber 1945 and enclosed a flyer involved with anti-colonial/ from the main exhibition, but your living in defence of the for a conference on 23 & 24 imperialist meetings for some to counteract the misinfor- Imperialists… February. So what was the time. mation being purveyed there. We denounce the whole BCAI? Below is what is not For example, on 24 March Among those sending mes- gang of European robbers and much more than an outline of 1937 he had spoken at a sages of support were Ja- enslavers of the colonial peo- its work. However, before meeting organised by the waharlal Nehru and Reg Reyn- ples… all are the same IMPERI- moving onto the BCAI, we have League of Coloured Peoples olds, then a member of the ALIST BANDITS whose common to note that one of its mem- and the Pan-African Federation Indian Freedom Committee. aim is the enslavement of hu- bers, George Padmore, and the regarding the invasion of Abys- The exhibition was later also manity throughout the world. International African Service sinia by Italy. George Padmore mounted in Friends’ House in Bureau, had organised two All noted that he had been ‘active London. Sybil Thorndike Colonial Peoples’ (or Subject on behalf of Indian freedom’ On the back page of the pam- Peoples’) Conferences in Lon- and was a ‘socialist with pro- phlet, Come and see the Em- don in June 1945 and October nounced anti-imperialist pire by the all red route’, the 1945. The aim of the Confer- views’. advice is to read the ILP’s New ences was ‘the setting up of Was it Brockway, then a Leader, as it was the only po- some permanent organisation member of the Independent litical party putting up an un- for the co-ordination of the Labour Party, who persuaded it compromising struggle against

Liberation 4 India, so it was ‘calling the the scope of conscientious West Indian Students Unions attention of the India Office to objection’. and the West African Students’ the cases that have been re- From the letterheads we Union. The Indian Freedom ported’. learn that Ethel Mannin was Campaign Committee was A demonstration was being Treasurer in 1943; the only closed down and merged with arranged in Hyde Park which person on the Committee BCAI. will be ‘attended by well- whom I recognise as being a From a letter dated 4 April known speakers’. ‘colonial’ is George Padmore. from BCAI to John Collier of the The flyer for this Empire Day 1946 Institute of Ethnic Affairs in rally in Hyde Park on 24 May On 27 January Swaraj House, Washington, we learn that was very outspoken: which had been set up by Surat Brockway had been asked to Millions of ‘subject’ peoples Ali and other activists in 1942 set up an American Centre George Padmore will be experiencing just what as a meeting place for Indian Against Imperialism, but I can this Empire means in terms of activists in Britain, organised find no evidence of this ever On 15 May 1939 Arthur Bal- semi-starvation, imprisonment, ‘celebrations’ for the eagerly existing. lard, writing on BCAI letterhead concentration camps and racial anticipated independence of The first BCAI Conference paper, advised ‘Dear Vera segregation. India. Among those attending was held in February, as noted Brittain’, that he was sending Democracy is non-existent. were Brockway, Padmore, Dr above. According to the con- information on the Centre Freedom of speech, assembly N. Gangulee, and Dr K.D. Kum- ference flyer, ‘the main pur- which was established at the and organisation are a mock- ria. Brockway is reported by pose is to link up anti- Colonial Conference early this ery. Yet the colonial peoples Scotland Yard as stating that he imperialist movements in this year’. On the letterhead Ballard will be asked to defend hoped ‘the British Centre and other metropolitan coun- is noted as Secretary, Brock- ‘democracy’ against ‘fascism’. Against Imperialism would tries and anti-imperialist move- way as Chairman, Horrabin as Down with British Imperial- achieve much in the future’. A ments in the colonies… Repre- Treasurer and K. Lamb as Assis- ism! few months later, representing sentatives of French, Dutch tant Secretary. (Horrabin, a Long live the movements for the BCAI, he attended the cele- and American movements socialist, ex-editor of The Colonial Liberation! brations of Mahatma Gandhi’s have also been invited’. Plebs, in the early 1940s col- Your task is to demonstrate 77th birthday. The police reported that laborated with Rita Hinden and your solidarity with the coloni- It was announced in the So- ‘about 300 people attended Arthur Creech Jones to create al workers and peasants in cialist Leader on 2 February, the conference’. The first ses- the Fabian Colonial Bureau and their struggle for COMPLETE 1946 that the Centre was being sion, ‘India and the Far East’, published its journal Empire.) INDEPENDENCE. ‘reformed’, with support from, was chaired by W.G. Cove MP 1939 On 29 august 1939, with the for example, left-wing politi- and the speaker was Professor The letter concludes by ask- war imminent, the BCAI and cians Michael Foot, Harold N. Gangulee; the second ses- ing for her support and also the IASB issued a ‘Warning to Laski and John McNair. Among sion, on ’Africa and the West advises that ’we are compiling the Colonial Peoples’: the real the ‘supporters’ listed in the Indies’, was chaired by Frank a Colonial Manifesto in con- reason for the war was that flyer for the Conference was Dr Horrabin and the speaker was junction with a French Centre Germany wanted more colo- Milliard, a British Guiana-born George Padmore. In the even- which is being formed’. nies. political activist in Manchester. ing there was a ‘Public Social, The information on the Cen- The aim of the colonised peo- The Pan-African Federation which was free to delegates, tre in the letter listed: ples should be ‘one goal – IN- had ‘promised its co- but visitors had to pay one A conference held in Janu- DEPENDENCE. …We denounce operation’. The 1947 Report shilling’. The third session, on ary, regarding the situation in the whole gang of European on its activities listed nine MPs Sunday February 24, was on Palestine; a resolution was robbers and enslavers … among the sponsors as well as ‘The near and Middle East’; it passed to ‘pressure the gov- IMPERIALIST BANDITS whose three women: Vera Brittain, was chaired by R.W.G. Mackay ernment to send a Commission common aim is the enslave- Cicely Cook and Sybil Thorn- MP and the speaker was Eward to enquire into the conditions ment of humanity around the dyke. Brockway was Treasurer; Atiyah. The fourth session, on prevailing’. Almost 2,000 hous- world. Douglas and Margaret Rogers ‘The anti-imperialist struggle in es had been destroyed; 758 The war years were Secretaries and John its world-wide aspect’, was Arabs and 367 Jews had been As political activists could Aplin was the Treasurer. There chaired by F.Lt. John Haire, MP killed; c. £40,000 imposed as easily have been charged with are no colonial activists on and the speaker was Fenner fines ‘in connection with politi- ‘sedition’, little could be done. Committee, but there is a list Brockway. cal disturbances’; 148 Arabs Nevertheless, an Indian Free- of ‘Observers from Coloured had death sentences imposed dom Campaign Committee was Peoples’ Organizations’: includ- on them. established; it ‘was the only ed are Padmore and Peter The Under-Secretary of State wider body which stood by Abrahams of the PAF; Surat Ali refused to comply with the India when Congress was sup- (sometimes Alley) of the Feder- request. pressed in 1942 and Gandhi ation of Indian Organizations in The Board of Trade was ap- and Nehru were imprisoned. It Britain; David Pinto and Dr proached regarding the allega- did splendid work at the time Bannerjee of Swaraj House; B. tions by Lascars that they had of the famine in Bengal and Renner of the West African to bribe the serang, who re- raised a considerable sum for National Secretariat. cruited them, for a job. Mrs Gandhi’s fund… It won Also ‘associated with the The Board replied that the recognition that Indian nation- Centre’ were the LCP, the Indi- issue had to be taken up in alists conviction came within an Workers’ Association, the Michael Foot Liberation 5 Ethel Mannin The Centre must be a point Burma: re the assassination Cyprus: support for Cyprus at which information of what is of the Premier and Cabinet delegation in London. occurring in the subject coun- members. Trinidad: protest re re- tries can be dealt with tech- Ceylon: re democratisation of introduction of flogging. nical efficiency so that it gets the Constitution and repressive Bermuda: support for de- about Britain through the press measures on participants in the mand for official investigation and other means. general strike. of political and social situation. It must be linked with a pan- Indonesia: Supporting the Leeward Islands: seeking el of M.P.s, each specialising on Secretary of the Indonesian information on situation. The third session, on Sunday a particular country, who could Republic re suppressions by Colour Bar: many issues tak- February 24, was on ‘The near raise issues promptly in the their Dutch overlords; public en up re the bar in Britain. and Middle East’; it was House of Commons. meetings on this. 1948 chaired by R.W.G. Mackay MP It must be an agitational Indo-China: correspondence Brockway recounts that in and the speaker was Eward means of creating pressure with the French government re 1948 he attended the confer- Atiyah. The fourth session, on amongst the masses in the Viet Nam; contact with Indo- ence in Puteaux, France, called ‘The anti-imperialist struggle in working-class movement to Chinese organisations in by the Movement for a United its world-wide aspect’, was end Imperialism. France. Socialist Europe. ‘The object’ chaired by F.Lt. John Haire, MP How these aims were propa- Nigeria: support for the Nige- he reports’, was to unite ‘the and the speaker was Fenner gated I do not know. The one rian TUC’s protest re severe socialist movements of Africa Brockway. newspaper report I have is a penalties for strikers. Brockway and Asia with European Social- The President of the Indian paragraph in the Manchester spoke at a Trafalgar Square ists in a coordinated economic National Congress, Maulana Guardian, 22/7/1946, on meeting organised by Nigerians policy….There were repre- Abul Kalam Azad , sent a tele- Brockway speaking at a BCAI demanding ‘a new constitution sentative delegations from the gram to this founding confer- meeting in Manchester: ‘It had embodying democratic rights’. colonial territories… ence: been said that there would be Gold Coast: Protest re prohi- The Africans and Asians The future security of the no export of foodstuffs from bition of Padmore’s How Russia called a separate meeting in- world demands friendship and India, but newspaper reports Transformed Her Colonial Em- viting a few of us to attend, and amity between the Indian and and customs returns showed pire succeeded. decided to establish the Con- British people. But the British that food which was urgently Liberia: attended centenary gress of Peoples against Impe- people must first dismiss the needed in India was being ex- celebrations; Liberian Consul rialism… Paris and London old methods of imperialism ported’. (This was a repetition attends BCAI meetings. should be the headquarters and exploitation before such an of the Bengal Famine of 1943, Kenya: re confiscation of land and Jean Rous, columnist in the era of goodwill can commence. in which c. 3-5 million people for European settlers and ap- radical Combatant was ap- I hope that the British Centre died and food from India was palling working conditions of pointed secretary and myself Against Imperialism will devote still being exported by the postmen. chairman. In the next two or all its resources to changing the British government.) Ethiopia: support for merging three years the Congress be- heart of the British people. 1947 Eritrea. came almost a legend for its Their efforts in this direction The undated report sent to Sudan: support for plea from activity in the struggle for colo- will be a real contribution to the Fabian Colonial Bureau at Sudan Nationalist Party for nial freedom… the future peace of the world. the end of the year stated that negotiations with Egypt for The intensified Algerian war The resolution passed: the ‘main purpose of the independence. ‘Associated’ cut off Paris, and the Move- Pledged solidarity with sub- British Centre is to give assis- with public meeting. ment for Colonial Freedom ject peoples throughout the tance to the movements in Southern Rhodesia: re disen- replaced it in London.’ Very world; India and the Colonies and franchisement of Africans. sadly, Brockway says nothing in Supports them in their risings their associated groups in this Working with PAF, LCP, WASU this autobiography about the against oppressors; country in their struggle for and WISU. replacement of BCAI by the Declares that the only way to political, social, and economic South Africa: protest to UN new Congress. satisfy their demands is an im- freedom.’ The Centre had ap- re incorporation of- S W Africa Marika Sherwood has done mediate pronouncement of proached ‘various Coloured and re food shortages/hunger extensive research to produce Independence; Peoples’ Associations for among ‘native populations’. this article. Drastic measures in India to names… for a panel of colonial end forthwith the intolerable speakers to British organisa- conditions …in Bombay and tions’. elsewhere; The Report then summarises Delegates pledge themselves the work carried out in the past to raise this issue in their or- year: ganisations with a view to im- India: for independence; mediate and insistent pressure freedom for the imprisoned on the Government to act in nationalists and socialists; the accordance with this resolu- unequal treatment of Indians tion. in the navy; withdrawal of Brockway ‘outlined three British troops, etc. ‘The Centre main tasks’, reported Padmore has co-operated at many in The New Leader (2 March meetings held by Swaraj 1946, p.3): House’. Anti-imperialist demonstration Liberation 6

International Solidarity Women’s Day with Greetings Liberation from RMT Billy Hayes Jane Loftus General Secretary Bob Crow General Secretary President President Peter Pinkney www.cwu.org www.rmt.org.uk

ASLEF sends greetings to Liberation Mick Whelan Alan Donnelly General Secretary President ASLEF the train drivers’ union www.aslef.org.uk

Liberation 7 In impoverished West Papua, women suffer the most Carmel Budiardjo reports on an appalling situation

properly built market place cultural identity. The demon- where they could sell their strators said that they had wares, make a living, feed their been "neglected and stigma- families and educate their chil- tised". dren. But it is not only in the mar- "We have waited for over ten kets that indigenous Papuan years," they said, "for the gov- women confront never-ending ernment to keep their promise difficulties. The crime of do- to build a permanent market. mestic violence is another fac- We have asked the govern- tor bearing down heavily on ment to show concern about a the lives of indigenous women. market for mothers who are The news agency IRIN report- Begging in the streets the ones who give birth and ed in December last year that rear children." They said that in 2012, an investigation had West Papua, the most east- parts of Indonesia. They live in they were tired of waiting and revealed that "there had been erly part of the Indonesian ar- small isolated hamlets across shouting because nothing had 1,360 cases per 10,000 women chipelago, is a land blessed the vast territory where food is been done. Now they were of gender-based violence with abundant natural re- produced in small gardens simply demanding that the among indigenous women. sources which provide western round their homes which are frequently promised building Many people still resort to vio- corporations with huge profits. mostly tended and harvested should be built before the end lence to solve their problems." The US multinational corpora- by the women while the men of 2014. One woman is quoted A UNICEF survey which was tion Freeport has been ex- stay at home or occasionally as speaking about "our long conducted in three of West ploiting their mineral resources venture into the forests to fight to make a living and pay Papua's 29 districts revealed - copper and gold - for more hunt wild animals. for our children's schooling but that as many as 79% of chil- than four decades, since the In the towns where in- the government has failed to dren under 15 of age had said days when Sukarno was still migration from Indonesia has understand us." that they had been physically the president of Indonesia, been most devastatingly felt, In another report, the same punished. Some of the re- making it one of the most economic activities are largely newspaper quoted a repre- spondents even talked about profitable mining corporations centred around markets where sentative of the Indigenous 'severe' physical punishment, in the world. However, the the migrants have established Women's Human Rights Net- which suggests that even those Papuan people who inhabit a firm control over commerce, work as complaining about in charge of protecting children this vast territory are among it is the migrants who are able their increasing marginalisation often perpetrate acts of vio- the most deprived people in to offer their products in well- in marketing activities. " The lence. Indonesia. built markets with well- indigenous women are now Whereas in Jakarta and other For them, these abundant protected stalls and shops facing competition from - non parts of Indonesia, women resources are not a blessing while Papuan traders who dominate have much greater access to but a curse. Yet, there are few Papuan women are forced to the traditional markets." information about where they Indonesians who have the offer their wares sitting out in The Papuan women also should report incidents of vio- slightest idea of the extent and the open on the ground and on deeply resent the fact that they lence against themselves or depth of the glaring contrast scraps of plastic, with no pro- had lost access to the produc- thirchildren, " in Papua there is between abundant mineral tection from the blazing sun tion and sale of the betel nut, less awareness and advocacy wealth and the widespread and the rain. which represents an important on the issue, alongside the lack poverty of the Papuan people. According to Jubi, one of the part of the Papuan people's of formal education. It is the indigenous Papuan few local newspapers function- women who suffer lives of ing in West Papua, Papuan marginalisation, deprivation women traders have for years and discrimination on a scale been demanding that the au- that boggles the mind. Observ- thorities build them a decent ers who have been able to visit building where they can offer the territory despite the fact their goods for sale. In January that West Papua is officially this year, dozens of women closed to foreign journalists traders held a demonstration and human rights activists, outside the provincial admin- report that Papuan inhabitants istration office seeking clarifica- are rapidly being outnumbered tion about why nothing had by in-migration from other been done to construct a Living in the street

Liberation 8 July 2013 which provided for Papuan women bravely treatment for anyone claiming demonstrated and made it to have been subjected to clear to the visitors that many physical violence which includ- of their basic rights were being ed counselling, rehabilitation violated constantly, even and mediation. One official was though by doing so they faced quoted as saying that the by- the threat of retaliation from law sought to protect and pro- the well-armed security au- vide greater access to people thorities. "who are weak, vulnerable and Carmel Budjiardo writes on marginalised, who make up a behalf of TAPOL. large part of the Papuan peo- [email protected] Living on the streets ple". For decades, indigenous Pa- Liberation Domestic Violence influence of drink, they engage puan women have been sub- The Asian Human Rights in violence which "even in- jected to marginalisation, dis- archives are now Commission in May 2011 con- cludes forcing women to par- crimination and domestic vio- on the Working ducted a survey which found ticipate in sexual intercourse". lence. But they have used eve- that indigenous women had Investigations by a UN agen- ry possible occasion to make Class Movement reported alarming rates of do- cy last year revealed that the their voices heard on those Library website at- mestic violence perpetrated by incidence of rape is appallingly rare occasions when journalists their husbands or partners high in West Papua. No fewer or NGOs from abroad have www.wcml.org.uk/ while the women had little that 46.8 per cent of men in- been allowed to enter the ter- protection from the police or terviewed admitted that they ritory Liberationorg.co.uk/ state agencies. had raped women and had not Last year, when representa- journal%20 Alcohol consumption was faced any consequences for tives from the Melanesian recognised as being wide- doing so Spearhead Group visited the Archives.html spread among Papuan men. A by-law was enacted by the territory under tight scrutiny "When people are under the Papuan provincial assembly in from the local army and police, Also at S.O.A.S

Liberation 9 Global Tamil Forum (GTF) International Women’s Day statement Stuart Drakes on the insecurity of Tamil women in Sri Lanka

prehensive report on women’s actions. This abysmal attitude insecurity, in the North and to the prevention of abuse is East, which detailed cases of reinforced by the Government sexual violence and the traffick- of Sri Lanka’s unwillingness to ing and exploitation of women. join over 140 other countries in By October 2013, levels of inse- endorsing the UN’s 2013 curity and sexual violence were ‘Declaration of Commitment to on the increase, according to End Sexual Violence in Conflict’ Minority Rights Group (MRG). and for recently refusing a visa In the same year, a report com- to the US Ambassador on Demonstrating for missing relatives missioned by the UN Secretary- Women's Affairs. General revealed grave con- The denial of women’s rights cerns regarding the on-going in the North and East also This year, International Wom- clothes and dumped into incidents of human rights viola- means that they are often shut en’s Day celebrates the theme trucks. tions committed against Tamil out from key decisions made of “Equality for women is pro- Within the internal displace- women and girls, as well as the regarding the rehabilitation and gress for all”. This idea should ment camps, sexual abuse was lack of accountability for sexual reconstruction processes. This be at the core of a drive to- rife with reports of Tamil fe- violence crimes. is a particular issue of concern wards fairer societies and a male refugees forced into pros- Despite the seriousness of for the estimated 89,000 war better world. However, in many titution rings run by officials. these issues and the conse- widows and tens of thousands quent damage done to the ad- of female headed households, vancement of equality in the who live in these areas. Campaigning for the missing North and East, the Govern- Whilst the Government may ment of Sri Lanka has taken no claim that progress has been measures to stop this abuse. A made in terms of peace and culture of impunity exists and development, as MRG notes, many women are afraid to re- “women are not benefiting port cases of intimidation and from the peace dividend, are ill-treatment to the authorities. marginalized from development Whilst Tamil women are partic- programmes, and struggle to ularly vulnerable, due to under- access basic livelihoods to sup- lying ethnic tensions, the issue port their families”. of gender inequality goes be- Despite and because of these countries the rights of women In their joint statement from yond the North and East. terrible conditions, it is im- continue to be denied, ignored February on the need to pre- A UN multi-country study on portant to celebrate the cour- and undermined. vent sexual violence, US Secre- men and violence in Asia and age and resolve of women in Sri Lanka is one such place tary of State, John Kerry, and the Pacific found that 97% of the North and East who seek to where women’s rights – partic- UK Foreign Secretary, William rapists in Sri Lanka faced no act as agents of change in their ularly those of Tamils who re- Hague, said that not only does legal consequences for their communities. side in the former armed con- this egregious act destroy lives Demonstrating for womens rights flict areas of the North and East but “is often perpetrated along- - are under sustained assault. side other human rights abuses, The Nobel prize nominated including forced marriage, sex- work of the ‘Sri Lanka Killing ual slavery and human traffick- Fields’ and ‘No-Fire Zone’ docu- ing. It undermines reconciliation mentaries revealed shocking and traps survivors in conflict, evidence of systematic murder, poverty and insecurity.” The abuse and sexual violence from militarisation of Tamil areas in the end of the war. Sri Lanka, by state security forc- Dead Tamil female fighters es who are almost entirely eth- appeared to have been sexually nically Sinhalese, since the end assaulted. Witnesses described of the war in 2009, provides a surrendering to the Sri Lankan textbook illustration of this military only to be raped, and argument. footage showed Tamil women’s In 2011, the International corpses stripped of their Crisis Group released a com-

Liberation 10 lence; cease and desist the co- ercion of Tamil women into the A History of military. Fulfil its commitments to the Struggle ‘Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Commemorating against Women’ and support the provisions of Security Coun- the Fiftieth cil Resolution 1325, which calls for women’s full and equal par- Anniversary of ticipation in post conflict gov- ernance and reconciliation Liberation; Demonstrating for womens rights measures. Sign the UN’s ‘Declaration of formerly the Groups such as Women’s By seeking to give a political Commitment to End Sexual Action Network (WAN) - a col- voice to thousands of Tamil war Violence in Conflict’; and attend Movement for lective of 11 women's organisa- widows, she has faced constant the Global Summit on this issue tions from the North and the intimidation from the security in London, in June 2014. Colonial East – have played a key role in forces and was threatened with Demilitarise the Tamil ma- highlighting the abuse suffered a period of incarceration in a jority areas; restore complete Freedom. by women, particularly Tamils ‘rehabilitation facility’ earlier civil administration to all milita- coerced into joining the army. this year. rised government departments Stan Newens £3 Their work has helped to illumi- All these efforts, and those of and national institutions; and nate issues that are often ig- many other organisations and ensure that the military desist nored by the mainstream me- individuals in the North and from involvement in any eco- 2014, of an independent, inter- dia. East, are about seeking to em- nomic activities which under- national war crimes inquiry in Without any material assis- power women and trying to mine the livelihood opportuni- Sri Lanka. tance from the Government, a transform a dire situation into ties for inhabitants, particularly Ensure accountability and women, in Tamil areas. justice for the sexual violence Facilitate adequate witness committed against Tamil wom- protection so that the perpe- en during the conflict as well as trators of human rights viola- for the on-going cases of gen- tions can be held accountable der-based violence. for their actions. Release imme- Remain seized of the situa- diately all those who remain in tion in Sri Lanka; call for the arbitrary detention. demilitarisation of Tamil major- Grant full access to the In- ity areas; and ask the UN coun- ternational Committee of the try team to monitor the ground Red Cross and other interna- realities for women in the tional aid agencies to the North North and East. and East to help facilitate the Place conditions on aid and Campaigning for womens rights rehabilitation process. investment into Sri Lanka, GTF calls on the international which call explicitly for the pro- number of women in the North one in which respect and equal- community, including the motion and protection of wom- and East have formed or are a ity are commonplace. They United Nations to: en’s rights. part of co-operative thrift and should be commended for their Support the establishment, at Stuart Drakes, Senior Research credit societies, which seek to actions and supported in their the 25th Session of the UN Hu- Officer, writes on behalf of the work around and alleviate the attempts to both challenge the man Rights Council in March Global Tamil Forum . harsh economic realities. Of the culture of impunity and to call 1350 such societies in the for truth, justice and accounta- North, 75% of members are bility for all human rights viola- women of which an estimated tions. 3000 are war widows. “Equality for women is pro- Individuals are making an gress for all”. It is a disgrace impact too. The Northern Pro- that the Government of Sri vincial Councillor, Ananthi Lanka does not accept this Sasitharan, has been at the truth. forefront of calls for truth and GTF calls on the Government justice regarding cases of en- of Sri Lanka to: forced disappearances and Promote and protect wom- abductions at the hands of the en’s rights; take concrete ac- military. tions to end gender based vio- Campaigning for missing relatives

Liberation 11 Child Not Bride; Outrage over Under-Age Marriage in Nigeria Adedamola Nadia on why the problem still persists

on the basis that the removal tests. First, majority of the ac- of the clause was against tradi- tivists were not properly in- tional Islamic beliefs which formed and thus, passed on allows for the marriage of the wrong information to the women under the age of eight- public. Many claimed that a een as long as the women are “new law”, legalizing child mar- deemed “mature”. The second riage has been passed by the vote still reflected the will of Senate; some stated that the the majority of the members of Senate was deliberating on the Senate to remove the making child marriage legal. It clause but however, some sen- is important to note that the ators were swayed by Ahmed Senate was not passing a new Protesting against child brides Yerima’s sentiments and thus, law nor was the Senate think- the required two-thirds for a ing about passing a new law on constitutional amendment was marriage in July 2013. not reached. The 18th of July vote was pri- July 2013 saw a wave of an- (3) The President may with- This led to the outrage which marily about the renunciation ger-fuelled protests across hold the registration of any gave birth to the protests, peti- of the Nigerian Citizenship. Nigeria and diaspora about the declaration made under sub- tions and - e petitions which Although clause 4b touched on issue of child marriage in the section (1) of this section -if garnered support from many the issue of marriage and age, country. The tag (a) the declaration is made across the globe. Aljazeera, on it was not the primary focus. “childnotbride” swept across during any war in which Nige- the 3rd of September 2013 This made it easy for the gov- all social media platforms en- ria is physically involved; or broadcasted a heated live de- ernment to play down the pub- couraging people to sign peti- (b) in his opinion, it is other- bate which featured Senator lic outcry as many government tions in the bid to stop the Ni- wise contrary to public policy. Ahmed Yerima himself and officials dismissed the accusa- gerian senate from legalizing (4) For the purposes of sub- Stella Damasus, a popular ac- tion that child marriage has child marriage. A Change.org section (1) of this section. tress in Nigeria and Africa. This been made legal based on the petition which has gathered (a) “full age” means the age debate went viral on various simple fact that the section of over 140,000 signatures urged of eighteen years and above; social media platforms. In a the constitution in question the United Nations to “Stop (b) any woman who is mar- country where the civil society was about Citizenship and not the Nigerian Senate from Mak- ried shall be deemed to be of at large has been hijacked by marriage. ing Under-Age Marriage Law!” full age” the government and soiled in Secondly, the lack of consti- However, a closer examina- -Chapter 3, Section 29 of The corruption, it was indeed re- tutional knowledge on the part tion of the situation reveals Constitution of the Federal Re- freshing to see various Human of the civil society meant that that the outrage was partly public of Nigeria, 1999. Rights groups and Women’s the protests’ emphasis was misdirected… The above section stipulates groups rise and speak up with misplaced. WELA (Women Em- On the 18th of July 2013, the the conditions and process for one voice against the political powerment and Legal Aid Initi- Nigerian Senate voted on the the renunciation of the Nigeri- system. Unfortunately, the ative), a women’s rights group removal of a clause in Chapter an citizenship. A Nigerian may clause and its implication for in Nigeria, called for the prose- 3, Section 29, Sub-section 4b of renounce his/her citizenship if young Nigerian girls remain till cution of Senator Ahmed the Nigerian Constitution. This he/she is of “full age”. The today. Yerima but did not make it section relates to the issue of bone of contention lies in sub- Why the protests failed clear why the Senator should citizenship and in particular, section 4a and 4b which de- A number of factors led to be prosecuted when he had the renunciation of the Nigeri- fined what is meant by “full the subsequent insignificance not actually committed any an Citizenship. Section 29 of age” and suggests that any of the initially promising pro- crime. the constitution reads… woman, regardless of her age, “(1) Any citizen of Nigeria of as long as she is married shall full age who wishes to re- be considered to be of “full nounce his Nigerian citizenship age” and may renounce her shall make a declaration in the citizenship. prescribed manner for the re- Initial votes in the Senate nunciation. were in favour of the removal (2) The President shall cause of the clause (4b) with the re- the declaration made under quired amount (two-thirds of subsection (1) of this section to the Senate) for a constitutional be registered and upon such amendment. However, one registration, the person who Senator, Ahmed Yerima (who made the declaration shall married his fourth wife at the cease to be a citizen of Nigeria. age of 14), demanded a re-vote Senator Ahmed Yerima Liberation 12 Yerima. Moreover, Senator Uwais of Isa Wali Empower- Yerima’s view on marriage un- ment Initiative in Nigeria iden- der Islamic law is flawed ac- tified that over seventy per cording to a senior Saudi cleric cent of young women aged 20 who said that there is no reli- – 29 in Northern Nigeria can- gious reason for child brides in not read or write and this is this day and age. due to the deprivation of edu- Looking back, the July 2013 cation, a fundamental human protests should have ad- right, as a result of early mar- dressed the root of the prob- riage. There are also health lem by demanding a review of problems associated with child the flawed constitution. Nigeria marriages, the most common adopted the Child Rights Act of being Vesicovaginal Fistula 2003 which protects the rights (VVF) which occurs mostly in of children including girls. The girls as a result of early child country has also adopted the birth. This health is proven to Protocol to the Africa Charter be serious in Nigeria as the on Human and Peoples’ Rights country holds 10% of the on the Rights of Women in worlds’ VVF patients while con- Africa which integrates interna- stituting only 2% of the world’s tional Human Rights instru- total population. ments which should take pre- Although the protests and eminence over any outlandish activism did not result in the Stella Damasus interpretation of any religion. desired change, which would However, it seems the coun- be the enacting of a new law try’s constitution is holding it that outlaws ALL marriages It is important to note that but wanted the constitution to back from putting into practice with brides under the age of the Senator did not call for an be left as it is, not amended. the instruments, agreements eighteen or a constitutional addition to the constitution but Upon close examination of the and commitments towards review/amendment, it opened wanted the constitution to be constitution, it can be argued protecting the rights of the girl up the debate around the issue left as it is, not amendedThe that child marriage has always child. Legal loopholes in the and publicised it. Women’s 18th of July vote was primarily been legal in Nigeria even constitution leave room for rights groups now enjoy more about the renunciation of the though the Child Rights Act of child marriages and the associ- support from the public and Nigerian Citizenship. Although 2003 forbids marriage under ated health and social ills. the citizens have become more clause 4b touched on the issue the age of eighteen. Child marriage denies girls informed about the dangers of of marriage and age, it was not The Second Schedule of the the right to an education. In under-age marriage. This is a the primary focus. Nigerian Constitution which Nigeria, it is estimated that small but important step to- This made it easy for the gov- deals with legislative powers over fifty% of girls in the North wards the overall aim of out- ernment to play down the pub- removes the legislation on are married by the age of 16 lawing the practice in the coun- lic outcry as many government marriages under Islamic and and are expected to bear chil- try, particularly in the North. officials dismissed the accusa- Customary Law from the gov- dren within a year of marriage. Adedamola Nadia writes for tion that child marriage has ernment. Thus, any marriage A report published by Maryam Liberation. been made legal based on the conducted under Islamic of simple fact that the section of Customary law is not subject to the constitution in question government legislation and the was about Citizenship and not Child Rights Act cannot apply. marriage. Furthermore, Section 277 of Secondly, the lack of consti- the Constitution confers upon tutional knowledge on the part the Islamic courts any question of the civil society meant that relating to Islamic marriage. the protests’ emphasis was In light of the provisions of misplaced. WELA (Women Em- the constitution, Senator Ah- powerment and Legal Aid Initi- med Yerima has not committed ative), a women’s rights group any crime to be prosecuted for. in Nigeria, called for the prose- It is evident that there is a pro- cution of Senator Ahmed vision in the constitution for Yerima but did not make it Islamic marriages which the clear why the Senator should government cannot legislate be prosecuted when he had upon. This loophole is being not actually committed any used in Nigeria to conduct un- crime. It is important to note der-age marriages and a misin- that the Senator did not call for terpretation of Islam used to an addition to the constitution justify it by the likes of Senator

Liberation 13

UCATT says End the aggression in Gaza Justice for the Palestinians Solidarity with the PGFTU Steve Murphy General Secretary Neil Vernon Executive Council Chair Union of Construction Allied Trades and Technicians UCATT House, 177 Abbeville Road, London SW4 9RL Tel: 020 7622 2442 Fax: 020 7720 4081 email: [email protected]

Unite-London & Eastern Region Ron Todd House 33-37 Moreland Street London EC1V 8BB T:0208 800 4281 www.unitethe union.org.uk Trade Union Rights are Human Rights Keep industrial relations Out of the courts

Support ILO Conventions 87 and 98 Peter Kavanagh—Regional Secretary Jim Kelly—Regional Chair

Liberation 14 Liberation Membership Application I/We wish to subscribe to Liberation for the year 2014 I enclose a cheque/postal order (payable to Liberation)…………………………………….. which includes a donation of………………………………………………………………………. Rates are; Individuals £20/£10 unwaged: institutions and local organisations £30 Overseas subscriptions, add £10. Regional bodies £40 and national £100 or more according to size. Libraries Annual Subscriptions ; Domestic £40/Foreign £45. Name/Position…………………………………………………………………………………………. Organisation…………………………………………………………………………………………... Postal Address……………………………………………………………………………………….. …………………………………………………………………………………………………………... Postcode…………………...Telephone………………………..email……………………………. Please complete and return, with payment Maggie Bowden-General Secretary Liberation, 75-77 St John Street, London, EC1M 4NN Phone & Fax 0207 3242498 & 9 email [email protected] Web Site http://www.liberation.co.uk Liberation

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Liberation 15