• Human Rights in India
    The Indian government failed to hold rights violators accountable or to carry out effective policies to protect vulnerable communities. The government is yet to repeal the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, allowing soldiers to operate with impunity. It has not reformed the police despite allegations of torture and unlawful killings. The government adopted measures to compensate rape victims and no longer endorses the humiliating “finger” test to investigate rape cases. “Honor killings,” dowry deaths, and sexual violence remain problems. Internationally, India let opportunities pass to support independent investigations into human rights abuses abroad during its tenure at the UN Security Council and the Human Rights Council.
  • Mohammed Ajmal Kasab is seen at an undisclosed location under policy custody in this undated video grab shown by CNN IBN Television channel on February 3, 2009.
    © 2009 Reuters
    India: Reinstate Moratorium on Death Penalty

    The Indian government should immediately reinstate its moratorium on executions with a view to abolishing the death penalty.

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  • India: Rape Victim’s Death Demands Action
    Dec 29, 2012
    The death on December 29, 2012, of a 23-year-old student who was gang raped and assaulted should spur decisive action by the Indian government to combat sexual violence, Human Rights Watch said today. The attack catalyzed massive nationwide demonstrations and reopened public debate about reforming India’s inadequate laws and practices concerning sexual assault.
  • India: Without reforms, free speech remains a distant dream
    Dec 19, 2012
    A 19-year-old in Maharashtra was questioned by the police for his comment on Facebook criticising Raj Thackeray.
  • What ails rape investigation in India?
    Dec 19, 2012
    India should take a principled stand against death penalty, including for rape. But beyond principle, India must also oppose the introduction of the death penalty as it will not stop the rise in rapes or result in higher conviction rates.
  • India: Reject Amendments to Counterterrorism Law
    Dec 14, 2012

    The Indian parliament should reject proposed amendments to India’s counterterrorism act that could lead to further misuse of the draconian law.

  • Why Delhi should care about the Rohingya
    Nov 30, 2012

    Burmese leader Aung San Suu Kyi’s visit to India this month spotlighted the shared histories between the two nations and the need for a stronger alliance between them. A new reform agenda and Suu Kyi’s election to parliament offers New Delhi a chance to recalibrate its Burma policy to include greater focus on human rights, rule of law and democratic governance.

  • India: The Question Hangs
    Nov 26, 2012

    Ajmal Kasab’s execution marks an end to India’s widely hailed unofficial moratorium on capital punishment since 2004, when prime minister Manmohan Singh’s government took charge. It signifies a sad regression in India’s near-decade move away from the death penalty. 

  • India: Reinstate Moratorium on Death Penalty
    Nov 22, 2012

    The Indian government should immediately reinstate its moratorium on executions with a view to abolishing the death penalty.

  • Keep Soldiers Out of Schools and Universities
    Nov 20, 2012
    The use of schools and other education institutions for military purposes by armed forces and non-state armed groups during wartime endangers students and their education around the world, said the Global Coalition to Protect Education from Attack in a study released today.
  • India: Drop Sedition Charges Against Cartoonist
    Oct 12, 2012

    Indian authorities in Mumbai should immediately drop politically motivated charges against political cartoonist Aseem Trivedi.

  • UN: Mark Day of Girl By Fighting Child Marriage
    Oct 10, 2012
    As the world celebrates the first International Day of the Girl Child on October 11, 2012, eliminating child marriages should be a key political priority for governments to protect the rights of girls and women.
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