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Autism:
A family's crusade for action and awareness We were thrilled
that this acorn is now a great big tree - the branches stretch out
through England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. The trunk
encompasses small, medium and large organisations, parents' groups
(across the UK), disability organisations, Her Majesty's Government,
Labour, Liberal, Conservative parties, other political parties in
Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, schools, colleges, charities
and organisations from the voluntary sector. Churches, gurdwaras,
mosques, synagogues and temples are also partners of the Autism
awareness year. It is now the
largest ever movement for autism in the UK with over 800 partners
working together for the first time. We anticipate that very soon
the numbers will swell to a thousand. The leaves of this tree represent
autistic children and adults, parents and carers. The roots represent
the guts, commitment, bravery and determination of all who are ''making
a difference" - the roots go down deep. There are 520,000
autistic people in the UK. Some organisations put this figure closer
to a million sufferers. Autism is now a serious health and educational
issue facing the UK and one which will not go away. They say there
will be massive increases in numbers in 5 years' time - with huge
implications for recruitment to and training of services, eg., specialist
teachers and speech and language therapists. "Autistic children should not be held responsible for their behaviour", said the Times Educational Supplement. We have experienced a distinct lack of understanding. This movement
cannot be stopped or derailed because autism is now a crucial subject
that is at the very heart of our nation. We need to know the causes
too - is it the MMR, is it genetic? We need to know the truth. Charin recently
visited British Institute for Brain Injured Children (BIBIC) and
we found it helpful and informative - we have made changes to his
regime, including his diet. Charin enjoyed the peace and quiet of
beautiful Somerset. After the BIBIC visit we took a day or two of
rest in the village of Barton. Autism is a 24-hour job. We certainly
experienced a "caring attitude" at BIBIC. Charin enjoyed
the swimming pool - it was very therapeutic. We were impressed
with the professionalism of the therapists. Autism Awareness Year 2002 is coming to an end. The challenge of course is for the government to take action and provide the services required. We know organisations like BIBIC will fight on. We urge all organisations, parents, carers and those with autism to speak out for those who may not be able to speak out for themselves. Charin is a wonderful gift from God and we will always speak out for him.
The events of
Novem- ber 7 at the University
of Sri Jayawardena-pura,
culminating in the tragic death of Samantha Ovitigala Vithanage
and the hospitalisation of seven others, was yet another stone cast
on the already disturbed waters of Sri Lankan society. It is sad that
our society is activated against certain issues only in the aftermath
of events of such tragic proportions. It is even more sad that we
can safely assume that the general public will go back to their
normal lives, after a month's condemnation of the events. The civic mindedness
and the collective memory span of our people leave much to be desired.
We all seem to have forgotten the many atrocities that have taken
place in the past. In all likelihood, the events of the 7th will
only become the latest addition to this long and appalling list. While we, the
writers of this article express our deepest sympathies to the family
of Samantha, we also apologise for using a tragedy so personal to
them, to highlight certain wider issues. We hope above all, that
Samantha will be remembered for the person he was, rather than for
the manner in which he was killed. Culture
of violence Our country
has a long and bloody history of ethnic violence between the Sinhalese,
Tamils and Muslims. The JVP insurrections of 1971 and 1988 - 1990
were extremely violent in nature and are another example of the
violence experienced in Sri Lanka. The political
culture has been entrenched in violence of all forms; intimidation
by goon squads, election related violence and political assassinations. It is ironic
that violence is also commonly used by the police and other peacekeeping
forces. What is especially alarming is the increasing trend of excessive
police violence to quell riots and public protests. The violent
acts of underworld thugs and army deserters are very much a part
of the news today and are yet another area of concern. In this climate
of violence, the general public too has shown no qualms about taking
the law into their own hands through the use of violence. The recent
spate of bus accidents led to riots in Nugegoda and Welisara where
drivers were assaulted and vehicles were stoned. Domestic violence
is another huge area of concern, the proportions of which are unknown
due to its covert nature. Our schools too have become breeding grounds for violence. Beginning from teachers hitting students, to senior students hitting and ragging their juniors to clashes between students of rival schools, violence in the school system is not uncommon. With this all-encompassing
nature of violence in our society, it is not strange that there
is violence in our universities as well. Whilst this does not in
any way justify the use of violence, it puts the incidents of the
7th into perspective. In this day
and age, University students are violent, politicians are violent,
the police and peacekeeping forces are violent, parents and spouses
are violent and the general public is violent. The question
we have to ask ourselves is where and how do we start to get things
back on track? Brutal as it seems, it is only extremely violent
and tragic events such as this that could serve as a catalyst for
a strong social movement against the use of violence in day-to-day
life. Politicisation
of the University system The rationale
in electing a students union is the democratic appointment of student
leaders as representatives of the entire student body. Ideally,
a students union should be a body of civic-minded citizens who campaign
not only for student rights, but lobby for various socio-economic
issues, which affect the country at large as well. Due to the
politicisation factor, the students who get appointed into the unions
invariably represent only those who voted them in. Their motive
is to suppress the rival student political party and stay in power
for as long as possible. They do not voice the opinion of the majority
students but use the authority and power vested in them as student
leaders, to further their political agendas. In short, the university
system is a model of the political system of the country, with selfish,
politically underlined values and motives forming the fundamental
base of the system. This explains
why it is a common sight to see students protesting on issues solely
related to themselves, rather than wider issues such as lobbying
for human rights issues or peace. Another fact
that must be emphasised is that even though the Sri Jayawardenapura
incident was allegedly a result of violence resorted to by a students'
union affiliated to the JVP, there is absolutely nothing to say
that a students union backed by another party would not have resorted
to such proportions of violence. Hence it is
evident that any long lasting solution to our university crisis
has to address the de-politicisation of the unions. The major political
parties deny all connections with the students unions and the covert
nature of their relationship makes the issue difficult to address.
The very existence of students unions can be challenged on their
track record of violence, which has repeatedly threatened to cripple
the system. Furthermore, the election system is such that invariably
there is no opposition from within the students' union body, making
the union an even more powerful, undemocratic and attractive package
for the politically inclined. The many violent
events in our universities, culminating in the incident on the 7th,
clearly show that the present composition and election process of
students unions has defeated the very purpose they were intended
to serve. The time has come for reform, for initiating another mode
of student representation and leadership, which is more democratic
and holds students more accountable for their actions. Institutional
indifference A typical example
is the events which led up to the closure of the Faculty of Law
early this year. Although the nature of the problem was complex
and multi-layered, for the purpose of this article the writers will
summarise the essence of the issue. The grievance of the students
was that hostels were to be closed in the month of December holidays
for renovations, compelling students from the outstations to go
to their homes, thus denying them the use of the university library
- vital for the completion of assignments which were to be handed
in on the commencement of the new semester. The contention of the
student body was that any renovations could be carried out in the
three-month year-end vacation, which would have no negative effect
on the students. A seemingly fair enough request, which the faculty
did not concede to. This resulted
in the student body acting extremely unbecomingly and even taking
the vice chancellor hostage, and culminated in the closure of the
faculty for a few months. The manner in which the faculty handled
the situation once the university was reopened, too left much to
be desired. At an inquiry,
batches of students were asked whether they condoned the violent
methods used by the students union or not. The answer to such a
question is obvious, but the simplistic nature in which the entire
issue was addressed, left little room for rational students to constructively
criticise the irrational behaviour of the union as well as the indifference
of the faculty to student issues. Ideally, there
should be a good rapport between students and the administration,
working together to solve common problems. It is clear that as long
as the students unions remain politicised, their attitude towards
the administration will remain antagonistic and volatile. Until
such time as the structure of the unions change, the administration
must make an extra effort to be more accommodating towards student
rights and interests. It is only
when the administration ensures that they do not in anyway contribute
towards student grievances, and illustrate to the majority of the
student body that they are not indifferent towards student problems,
that student unions will be completely exposed for any politically
motivated protests carried out under the disguise of student welfare. The incident
at the Jayawardenapura University was no different. According to
several undergraduates of the university, the faculty was indifferent
to the issue of ragging even though it had led to numerous clashes
on previous occasions. The anti-ragging lobby had approached the
faculty to take action on those who ragged first years on several
occasions, but their voice was not heard. In spite of
the anti-ragging laws and the fact that all University students
sign a document stating they will not partake in or advocate any
form of ragging within their tenure as undergraduates, the authorities
took no action against those who openly ragged students. The vice chancellor
and the academic staff made a statement condemning the murder and
conveying their disturbance and grief at the events that took place.
The right thing to do. But one wonders as to why they did not condemn
the act of ragging itself -the practice of which led to Samantha's
death. Furthermore,
were they not in the best position to act on the situation before
it got out of hand and prevent this bloody murder in the first place?
Is the administration liable in anyway for the life of Samantha?
If so, the transposition of the responsibility solely on the students
union, is the easiest way out for the faculty. Anti Ragging
Act and Related Laws The Act provides
that ragging and several other forms of violence including criminal
intimidation, hostage taking, wrongful restraint and unlawful confinement
(which are offences under the Penal Code as well), shall be offences.
The Act confers a wide discretionary power on the Court to expel
any student convicted under the Act (or dismiss a staff member as
the case may be). According to
several undergraduates of the university (anti-raggers) several
complaints had been made to the police on previous occasions in
respect of incidents of violence, as well as to the university administration
in respect of incidents of ragging. It is disheartening
to note that in spite of the existence of such a piece of legislation,
no action has been taken in respect of such complaints. Are the Police
which is empowered to take action in such instances, and the university
administration which is expected to conduct inquiries into the matter,
(or at least inform the police), accountable in the event that they
fail to do so? Certain Fundamental
Rights cases decided by the Supreme Court have held that, where
there is a duty to take action, inaction can result in such authority
being deemed to be responsible for the infringement of the right
(for example see Faiz v. AG [1995] 1 SLR 372 at pp. 379, 403) Since such
acts of violence and torture are violative of individual Fundamental
Rights, the Police (as well as perhaps the university administration)
through their inaction can be deemed to have violated Article 11
of the Constitution (which stipulates that no one shall be subject
to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment). Joining
the bandwagon. The politicisation
of this event is disrespectful to the deceased, his family and loved
ones and the students of the university who witnessed this horrible
event. It is shameful for politicians to twist such a tragic death
to their advantage. The violent
call for the death of the murderers is also alarming and somewhat
insightful into the cyclic nature of our violent existence. Justice
must be served through the law, quickly fairly and without prejudice. Where to
from here? The review
of the students' union system and its election process is vital
for any long-term change. Student representation must take the shape
of another model, perhaps in the form of class and batch representatives. The administration
should be held more accountable for any inaction on their part.
They must be compelled to act in a more student friendly, transparent
manner. It is also vital that the nature of the relationship between
the administration and students changes from the antagonistic to
the accommodating. Admittedly, given the history of our universities,
this seems to be an idealistic and unrealistic aspiration, but this
is exactly why the extra effort must come from the administration
and the general student body, which is invariably more rational
than the student unions. Finally, it
is the responsibility of all students, staff and the general public
to actively condemn violence in any form and in any place. It is
only through a strong non-violent social movement against violence,
and an efficient and fair justice system to complement it that we
as a country can move towards building a social climate, which sees
violence as a form of weakness and not as a means with which to
achieve our ends. The writers are a group of undergraduates of the Faculty of Law, University of Colombo |
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