10.08.2007 - Source: World Organisation Against Torture

Further acts of judicial harassment against member of the human rights organisation Manabadhikar Suraksha Mancha (MASUM) ("Further acts of judicial harassment against Mr. Gopen Chandra Sharma [IND 002 / 0807 / OBS 017.2]") [ID 21017]

Document(s): Open document

06.03.2007 - Source: US Department of State

Political Prisoners and Detainees ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2006") [ID 19226]

"While the government maintained that there were no political prisoners, the All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) claimed there were approximately 500 political prisoners in Jammu and Kashmir, and human rights activists based in the state placed the number at 150, although among these were persons whom the government claimed had engaged in violent acts. The government permitted international humanitarian organizations, such as the ICRC, access to such persons on a regular basis. There were no reports of political detainees during the year, although the government detained hundreds of suspected terrorists, insurgents, and separatists."

Document(s): Open document

06.03.2007 - Source: US Department of State

Actions under the Foreign Contribution and Regulation Act and the Proctection of Human Rights Act ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2006") [ID 19873]

"In February, the Ministry of Home Affairs barred 8,673 organizations from seeking foreign funds under the Foreign Contribution and Regulation Act (FCRA), reportedly for failing to provide the proper paperwork. Under the ruling, these organizations need government approval before seeking aid from abroad. NGOs called the FCRA flawed and extremely restrictive and claimed that the government failed to notify organizations when the requisite paperwork was needed. Some human rights groups contended that FCRA was a means of intimidation and substantial political control by the government over the work of NGOs. NGOs expressed concern that the Home Ministry, which is normally not responsible for financial matters, was tasked with monitoring the finances of NGOs. The act has a clause that states the NGOs must also secure approval from the government before organizing international conferences, and some NGOs alleged that the government has denied visas to prevent members from holding conferences paid for with foreign funds.  [...]

In August the government amended the PHRA to strengthen the NHRC in response to criticism by independent NGOs and the NHRC. The amended bill removed the requirement of prior notification and approval for visits to state-managed prisons. In August, the Ministry of Home Affairs stated that the NHRC had visited prisons in Chhattisgarh and Karanataka to assess conditions and possible abuses. However, the NHRC and NGOs said that the amendment did not address several concerns and instead contained regressive provisions. For example, NGOs stated the government did not address the NHRC's inability to inquire independently into human rights violations by the armed forces, initiate proceedings for prosecution, and grant interim compensation. Further, NGOs argued that the need to guarantee the NHRC's financial independence should be included and that the NHRC's mandate should be expanded to include investigation of cases of human rights violations over one year old. "

Document(s): Open document

06.03.2007 - Source: US Department of State

57 NGOs in Maharashtra under investiagtion ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2006") [ID 19875]

"In May the Maharashtra Home Ministry placed 57 NGOs under investigation for allegedly assisting Maoist groups. The police stated the groups and their leaders would be monitored closely."

Document(s): Open document

13.12.2006 - Source: Asian Centre for Human Rights

Repression on human rights defenders ("SAARC Human Rights Report 2006") [ID 18223]

"Frontline human rights defenders continued to suffer from repression by the State and the armed opposition groups while the Central government maintained strict control under the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act of 1976. In 2005, human rights defenders came under severe attacks from the security forces, state sponsored vigilante groups, religious fundamentalist groups, self-styled vigilante groups etc. In Andhra Pradesh, human rights defenders faced the worst form of repression from the State police and the self-styled anti-naxalite groups like ‘Narsi Cobras' and other vigilante groups.[94] Between August and November 2005, the vigilante groups killed at least four activists for allegedly supporting the Naxalites. On 24 August 2005, “Narsi Cobras” gang killed a rights activist Kanakachari, a teacher at a local school in Mahbubnagar district allegedly to avenge the killing of Congress MLA Narsa Reddy by the Maoists.[95] The State Police Chief Swaranjit Sen justified the threats and killings by the vigilante groups as “a natural reaction against the atrocities of the Maoists”.[96] On 29 July 2005, police arrested Debashis Chakraborty, a member of the Association for Protection of Democratic Rights and Siliguri Welfare Organisation, from his Hyderpara office in Siliguri town of West Bengal, accusing him of giving shelter to members of the banned Naxalites.[97] He was booked under Sections 121, 121(a) and 121(b) of the Indian Penal Code for “waging war against the State.” On 29 October 2005, he was granted bail by the court of Chief Judicial Magistrate, Siliguri after the police failed to file a chargesheet against him within the stipulated 90-day period.[98] Human rights defenders were also harassed by the rightwing fundamentalist groups. On 14 June 2005, San Francisco-based academic Angana Chatterji, along with other women members of the Indian People's Tribunal on Environment and Human Rights, were allegedly threatened with rape by some members of the Hindu fundamentalists while investigating the spread of communalism and human rights violations in Orissa.[99]"

Document(s): Open document

04.09.2006 - Source: Amnesty International

2 human rights defenders accused of links with armed group refused to pay bail monies as charges are false; both were tortured in detention ("Further Information on Urgent Action 228/06 (ASA 20/020/2006, 25 August 2006) [ASA 20/022/2006]") [ID 17658]

Document(s): Open document

25.08.2006 - Source: Amnesty International

Manipur: 2 human rights defenders reportedly tortured in police custody; their exact place of detention is unclear ("Urgent Action 228/06 [ASA 20/020/2006]") [ID 17616]

Document(s): Open document

04.08.2006 - Source: Human Rights Watch

Amendments to the Protection of Human Rights Act restrict activities of the National Human Rights Commission ("Concerns with Protection of Human Rights Act [ASA 20/019/2006]") [ID 17465]

Document(s): Open document

23.05.2006 - Source: Amnesty International

Annual Report 2006 - Human Rights Defenders ("Annual Report 2006") [ID 17247]

"Human rights defenders in many parts of the country continued to be harassed and attacked. Among them were activists working on behalf of marginalized communities including dalits and adivasis who faced systemic discrimination."

Document(s): Open document

07.04.2006 - Source: Guardian

Environmentalist arrested and forcibly removed to hospital after 9 days of hunger strike to protest against displacement of 35,000 families by dam project; scores of supporters also arrested ("Indian police arrest hunger striker") [#48486],  [ID 6790]

Document(s): Open document

22.03.2006 - Source: World Organisation Against Torture

Annual Report 2005 of the Observatory of the Protection of Human Rights Defenders on human rights, civil society and the situation of human rights defenders per continent and country (contains case studies) ("Steadfast in Protest - Annual Report 2005") [#47216],  [ID 6791]

Document(s): Open document

25.08.2005 - Source: BBC News

Andhra Pradesh: Senior civil rights activist killed by unknown attackers ("Indian rights activist murdered") [#35908],  [ID 6792]

Document(s): Open document

08.2005 - Source: Freedom House

Human rights activists ("Freedom in the World 2005") [#41316],  [ID 6793]

"[...]Human rights organizations generally operate freely. However, Amnesty International's 2004 report noted that the intimidation of human rights defenders by state officials and other actors, including threats, legal harassment, the use of excessive force by police, and occasionally lethal violence, remains a concern. In Gujarat, activists and organizations that have taken an active role in pushing for justice following the February 2002 riots have faced harassment from state authorities, including targeted investigations by income tax authorities or the police, according to Human Rights Watch. The work of rights activists may also be hindered by a Home Ministry order issued in 2001 that requires organizations to obtain clearance before holding international conferences or workshops if the subject matter is "political, semi-political, communal or religious in nature or is related to human rights." [...]"

Document(s): Open document

25.05.2005 - Source: Amnesty International

Human rights defenders ("Annual Report 2005") [#32264],  [ID 6794]

"[...]Human rights defenders in many parts of the country were harassed and attacked.
On 21 August at least 13 members of the Association for Protection of Democratic Rights (APDR) were attacked in Greater Kolkata, West Bengal, allegedly by supporters of the ruling political party. A group of up to 60 people attacked a peaceful meeting, kicking and beating the participants. Although the police station was less than 50m away, the police reportedly failed to assist or protect the APDR members until the attackers dispersed several hours later. Several of the victims required hospital treatment for serious injuries. [...]"

Document(s): Open document
Open document

11.05.2005 - Source: BBC News

Madhya Pradesh: Social worker, who was trying to stop child marriages in Bhangarh village, injured after being attacked by brother of would-be child bride; child marriages are illegal in the country ("Probe of 'child marriage attack'") [#31929],  [ID 6795]

Document(s): Open document

10.2004 - Source: UK Home Office

Country Report - October 2004 ("Country Report - October 2004") [#28325],  [ID 6796]

"[...]6.128 According to Amnesty International (AI) in their report India – Break the cycle of impunity and torture in Punjab January 2003, “Since 1995 there have been no reports of killings of human rights defenders in Punjab, although AI belives that human rights defenders are still subject to constant surveillance and have been subjected to harassment, threats and violent attacks by the police in attempts to intimidate and silence them.” [51](p17) [...]

6.357 According to a Freedom House survey report of 2003, “Human rights organisations generally operated freely throughout 2002.” However, Amnesty International’s 2002 annual report noted that the harassment of human rights defenders by state officials and other actors, including beating, shooting, and the use of excessive force by police, remained a concern. An Amnesty International team hoping to assess the situation in Gujarat was denied visas by the Indian Government in July [2002]…A report issued by Human Rights Watch documented numerous cases of police harassment of HIV/AIDS outreach workers in several states.“ The work of rights activists could also be hindered by a Home Ministry order issued in July 2001 that requires organisations to obtain clearance before holding conferences or workshops if the subject matter is political, semi-political, communal or religious in nature or is related to human rights.” [43a](p4)

6.358 According to the US State Department report 2003 (USSD), “Several Christian-affiliated international relief agencies stated that during the year [2003] their work in delivering services to the poor became more difficult due to threats, increased bureaucratic obstacles, and, in some cases, physical attacks on their field workers by Hindu extremists.”[2c](p25) [...]"

Document(s): Open document

26.05.2004 - Source: Amnesty International

Annual Report 2004 (covering 2003) ("Annual Report 2004") [#22668],  [ID 6797]

"Human rights defenders

Human rights defenders continued to face accusations of “anti-national” activities, harassment by state agents, political groups and private individuals, including threats, preventive arrest and detention, and violence.

There were reports that following an assassination attempt on the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh in October, allegedly by naxalites, retaliatory harassment was initiated against human rights defenders. At least six members of the Andhra Pradesh Civil Liberties Committee (APCLC) were detained for questioning in October in connection with the assassination attempt and APCLC activists were put under constant surveillance and were repeatedly detained for questioning. In November there were growing concerns the APCLC could face a ban following statements by the Director General of Police indicating that the organization was sympathetic to the naxalites."

Document(s): Open document
Open document

25.02.2004 - Source: US Department of State

USDOS: Jammu and Kashmir: Restrictions and attacks on human rights activists ("Country Reports on Human Rights Practices - 2003") [#19765],  [ID 6798]

"[...]A wide variety of domestic and international human rights groups generally operated without government restriction, investigating abuses and publishing their findings on human rights cases; however, in some states and in a few circumstances, human rights groups faced restrictions. Human rights monitors in Jammu and Kashmir were unable to move around the state freely to document human rights violations due to fear of retribution by security forces and countermilitants. Several individuals closely involved in the documentation of violations in Jammu and Kashmir, including lawyers and journalists, have been attacked in past years and in some cases killed. [...]"

Document(s): Open document

03.02.2004 - Source: Amnesty International

Punjab: at least 100 individuals including social activists, human rights defenders and lawyers are being illegally detained in connection with the escape of four detainees from Burail Jail (also known as Model Jail), Chandigarh ("India - UA 35/04") [#19161],  [ID 6799]

Document(s): Open document
Open document

11.11.2003 - Source: World Organisation Against Torture

Tamil Nadu: Executive Director of PW-TN was personally intimidated and threatened by senior police officials in a raid conducted by the police in its premises at Madurai ("India : Police raid against People's Watch - Tamil Nadu [IND 002/1103/OBS 061]") [#17571],  [ID 6800]

Document(s): Open document

10.11.2003 - Source: Amnesty International

Gujarat: Human rights defender, full time coordinator of the Citizens for Justice and Peace (CPJ), a non governmental organization based in Ahmedabad has been receiving renewed death threats ("India - Further information on UA 201/03") [#17499],  [ID 6801]

Document(s): Open document
Open document

29.10.2003 - Source: South Asia Human Rights Documentation Centre

Report on intimidation of human rights defenders and civil liberties activists in India by means of the case K.G. Kannabiran in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh ("Human Rights Defenders: Fighting An Uphill Battle (HRF/86/03)") [#17086],  [ID 6802]

Document(s): Open document

09.10.2003 - Source: World Organisation Against Torture

Andhra Pradesh: A lawyer and President of the National People's Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL) and his family threatened with kidnapping and death ("India : Threats against Mr. K.G. Kannabiran and his family [IND 001/1003/OBS 051]") [#16611],  [ID 6803]

Document(s): Open document

02.09.2003 - Source: Amnesty International

Gujarat: 3 human rights defenders have received a number of threats/ they are involved in protecting witnesses, who have provided testimony against those accused of taking part in communal violence in February and March 2002 ("INDIA - Further Information on UA 201/03") [#15716],  [ID 6804]

Document(s): Open document

26.07.2002 - Source: World Organisation Against Torture

Human rights activist, involved in the defence of Adivasis land rights, killed/ since her death, several other activists received death threats for speaking out on the killing and for their continued work in favour of Adivasis’ rights ("Open Letter to the President of India") [#8093],  [ID 6805]

Document(s): Open document

22.10.2001 - Source: World Organisation Against Torture

Ongoing harassment of the Adivasis people by the police in the village of Puntamba reported ("India: release on bail of the 15 detainees arrested for having allegedly attacked the police during a demonstration [Case IND 020701.1, Follow-up of Case IND 020701]") [#4818],  [ID 6806]

Document(s): Open document

13.09.2001 - Source: Amnesty International

Andhra Pradesh: Police arrested and tortured dozens of activists, including APCLC ( Andhra Pradesh Civil Liberties Committee) members, in the last four months/ 2 senior APCLC members threatened to be killed by police ("India - UA 364/00") [#3953],  [ID 6807]

Document(s): 00673ind.htm
Open document

27.07.2001 - Source: Amnesty International

4 human rights defenders arrested allegedly solely for their activity to promote the prevention of AIDS and the right to health ("India : police harassment against the workers of human rights defenders raising AIDS awareness") [#3144],  [ID 6808]

Document(s): 01645ind.htm
Open document

13.07.2001 - Source: Amnesty International

Maharashtra: 2 activists shot dead by police at a protest march in June/ concerns for the safety of another land rights activist in detention ("India - UA 162/01") [#2718],  [ID 6809]

Document(s): 00331ind.html
Open document

29.06.2001 - Source: Amnesty International

Maharashtra: 3 people killed and 37 injured when police opened fire on a protest march organised by Tribal Land Rights Movement/ 15 activists were also arrested and are at risk of torture and ill treatment ("India - UA 162/01") [#2341],  [ID 6810]

Document(s): Open document

18.06.2001 - Source: Amnesty International

Jammu and Kashmir: Arbitrary arrest and detention of those peacefully voicing dissent continuing: political activists detained and beaten last week following public protests over killing of 6 women ("Use of the Public Security Act in Jammu and Kashmir") [#2169],  [ID 6811]

Document(s): 0651ind.htm
Open document