Profile: Our Spotlight Activist this month is Chaumtoli Huq. Chaumtoli's mission, after getting her law degree, has been to establish the working rights of the poor immigrants who are unrepresented in an otherwise unfamiliar world. Ms Chaumtoli Huq

looks like an average South Asian. However she is extraordinary in many ways. She is one of the founders of South Asian Workers Right Project (SAWRP). She is a lawyer and a crusader of women's rights. She offers her services to low income Asian Americans who become victims of discrimination in the workplace or in any circumstance. Championing the rights of the working class has deep roots for Ms. Huq, it runs in the family. Her father, Farhad Mazhar, after immigrating with his family to the U.S. decided to return to Bangladesh to continue his ideals to fight the social ills of his country.

Chaumtoli: It is difficult to pinpoint the pivotal moment by which I became interested in issues of economic justice. The process was one of personal experiences of being raised by a single parent in New York City with limited means, and engagement in community-based organizing. Community based work is transformative. I believe that if one truly seeks to serve one's community, then one wil inevitably be brought to the struggle of social and economic justice.

Drishtipat: We know that your father, Farhad Mazhar, is also an activist. Based
on your experience and his experience can you highlight some differences and
needs between activism in Bangladesh and activism for the migrants of
Bangladesh in USA?

Chaumtoli: One analogy that I often raise in comparing the activist landscape in Bangladesh and here, is the how society reads news. In Bangladesh, the newspapers are wheatpasted to common-spaces and lines of youth read the news together. Here, each individual reads his of her own news paper. While there may be limitations on civil society, there is strong and vibrant culture of political debate. If you ask the farmer in rural Bangladesh about globalization, he or she can articulate their opposition. Perhaps, this heightened politicization is a result of anti-colonialist, imperialist struggles, and more recently, independence movement, which make concepts of justice familiar. It makes it easier to mobilize communities. Granted, there are structural and institutional barriers, but I have found people, irrespective of their level of formal education, to be politically aware. This is true of other nations, like in Southeast Asia, Carribean, and Central America, where I have travelled.

Here, in the United States, it is quite difficult. I have not see that level of consciousness across class levels. Activists must engage in alot of basic educational work, before they can see any systemic change.

Drishtipat: We know of some important cases that you have won. However, can you tell us of one experience which had a profound impact on you?

Chaumtoli: Representing two migrant domestic workers from Bangladesh who were brought to work here by a Bahraini and Bangladeshi diplomat has had a profound impact on me. Currently, in my pending litigation against Bangladeshi diplomat, I have been criticized for bringing shame on our community. To me, the shame is the perpetuation of exploitative labor practice by more privileged members of our community. There is no shame is demanding the value of your hard earned labor.

I see the pro-active role that President Fox from Mexico has taken in advocating for the rights of Mexican immigrants in the United States, and compare it to Bangladesh's advocacy for its own nationals.

Drishtipat: What are some major issues or cases that you are highlighting now?

Chaumtoli: Currently, I am working with a grass-roots organization, New York Taxi Workers' Alliance, which organizes immigrant taxi-drivers. As many of you know, many taxi-drivers are from Bangladesh, as well as from other countries in Africa and Asia .

I have been focusing on a number of issues related to the tragic events of September 11. Many drivers have experienced discrimination and harassment because of their religion and race. Community members have been approached by the FBI for interviews as to their involvement.

Immigration authorities have increased in enforcement.

Drishtipat: Do you get any assistance from local or city government?

Drishtipat: What's your observation on the people that you are striving for,
notably the South Asian migrants in blue collar jobs?

Chaumtoli: My observation is that they are hard-working and sacrifice alot to improve the conditions of their family here, or in their home-country, by sending money. They are more willing to engage on controversial issues. For example, I have a client who is a construction worker. His pending case is against a contractor who did not pay him his wages. Initially, it struck me as odd that he would call me "Bhai". It was puzzling because he knew me and saw me as being a woman. I asked my mother, and she responded, which I think is true , that he never met a female lawyer. In a roundabout way, he is showing me sign of respect. The point of this story is that through our interaction he is forced to examine some deeply held notions of gender.

Drishtipat: Despite your work, we haven't seen your work highlighted in the
local Bangldeshi media that often? Is is because you want to work from the
background or is it the negiligence of our media?

Chaumtoli: Actually, the Bangladeshi media in New York has been quite decent in covering my work. I am often constrained to call them on all matters so as not to compromise the confidentiality of clients. If you mean, the media in Bangladesh. I am not sure whether there is an interest in Bangladesh on the plight of migrants here. If so, I would like to share my work with activists in Bangladesh and in the media.

Drishtipat: Why do you think Bangladeshis home and abroad aren't into activism?
Have you attempted to reach out to ther new generation Bangladeshis at all?

Chaumtoli: I can not speak to activism in Bangladesh, but I believe that Bangladeshis are increasingly being involved in activism. The community is growing and they are becoming involved in organizations.

I think it is critical to reach out to new generation of Bangladeshis. I do so all the time through speaking engagements at colleges and highschool . Recently, I was invited by the poet Sufiya Kamal grandson who works with inner city youth in New York to talk to young people about my work. Thats transnationalism!

Drishtipat: What's your vision of future for you in terms of your activist work?

Chaumtoli: I will definitely like to continue working with the NY Taxi Workers Alliance, as well as related immigrant labor organizations. Recently, I have been seriously contemplating running for some local political office. The Bangladeshi community is growing fast in New York City, and I would like to see that it is a strong political force in New York City politics. Which office, when and in what capacity is still to be decided.

Drishtipat: Best of luck and our full solidarity with you.