The Assam Tribune Online of 9 November provides us with an interesting illustration of how a combination of: (a) local activism, (b) introduction by an international NGO, and (c) invitation to an EU meeting can have result:
Akhil Gogo, President of Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti [KMSS] received an invitation for the 15th EU-NGO Forum on Human Rights to be held on December 5 and 6 in Brussels. His name was put forward by Front Line Defenders after his arrest in 2001. The Assam State Government informed the KMSS on Friday that Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi would discuss with it its demands after November 17. [The KMSS had earlier demanded steps to hold a discussion with the Chief Minister on the issues it has raised concerning introduction of a new land policy to protect the interests of the indigenous people, special status to Assam under Article 371 of the Constitution, 100 per cent utilisation of bank deposits of the State within the State, among others. Or else, it warned that it would go for a mass rally on November 11 at the Dispur Last Gate, defying all official restrictions.]
Hans Thoolen on Human Rights Defenders and their awards 
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