Prof.Babu Mathew inaugurated the “Two –Day International Seminar on Mining and Human Rights” in National Law University, Delhi, Prof.Babu Mathew in his welcome address, he tried to trace the historical developments that led to the loss of livelihood of tribal population as result of mining and extraction of resources through the Nehruvian era up to the contemporary years of globalization.

This international seminar is the result of collaborative research with Faculty of Law at University of Antwerp ,Belgium and the Xavier Institute of Social Service ,Ranchi .It is an effort to understand the dilemma of mining –induced displacement ,the questions of resettlement and rehabilitation and the larger framework of law and policy required to tackle the challenges it poses.

The Keynote address at the inaugural function was delivered by Prof (Dr)Koen de Feyter on the legal framework for enforcing corporate responsibility for human rights violations delving into a critical analysis of the john Ruggie approach and the stance of the United Nations Human Rights Council(UNHRC)

Dr Alexius Ekka,Director ,XISS ,Ranchi expressed his hope that the government for policy changes for the displaced and to strengthen the movement in Jharkhand.

THE  presentations by Dr.Himadri Sinha , Director of Research at XISS ,Ranchi and representatives from the Environmental Support Group –Mr. Leo Salldanha and Ms. Bhargavi  S Rao in Keeping with the t6heme of the First session ,’Natural Resources Development and Law: Sources and Perspectives ‘highlighted case studies from various instances of mining of minerals and other covert, unconventional “seed” mining activities across the country in Jharkhand ,Orissa ,Karnartaka,etc which have resulted in gross violation of Laws that protect peoples ‘rights.

The second on Protection of Human Rights of the Displaced: Legalism and Beyond centered around the debate of reform versus revolution approaches to ensuring adherence to human rights standards. While Prof .Johan Shulman elucidated upon power of the people Prof. (Dr) Jeremie Gilberrt used a case study of diamond mining Law and Organizations in aiding such enforcement.

The third session dealt with Case Studies in Human Rights and Displacement from the State of Jharkhand The speakers presented  their analysis of the data they had collected first hand .The particular question and answer session raised issues of the pending Land Acquisition Bill 2009, informed and involved consent and the supervisory guideline issued by the World Bank

These issues were reiterated in a group Discussions which was moderated in two groups by Prof. (Dr)  Koen de Feyter and Dr.Jeremine Gilbert .Students from  the  University of Antwerp presented a summary of their experience in India during the Valedictory  session .

The speakers encouraged the gathering to constantly question what they see and proceeded to term the Conference as a uniquely educative one and stressed the need for a multidisciplinary approach to understand and resolve contemporary issues .the Programmer was coordinated by Prof .Srikrishan Deva Rao, Registrar and Dr.Maheshwar Singh, Associate Professor of NLU,Delhi.