New York: India's human rights record in
2011 got a thumbs down from a leading global rights group
for its "failure" to protect vulnerable communities and rapped
the government for custodial killings, police abuses,
including torture.
Human Rights Watch also criticised the Indian government
for its inaction in repealing the controversial armed forces
act and for remaining silent on the "gravest abuses" in
countries like Syria.
In its World Report 2012, Human Rights Watch (HRW)
assessed progress on human rights during the past year in more
than 90 countries. In India's case, HRW said it has been a
"disappointing year for human rights".
"Custodial killings, police abuses including torture, and
failure to implement policies to protect vulnerable
communities marred India's record in 2011 as in the past," HRW
said in its report.
Asia director at the city-based organisation Brad Adams
said the Indian government took few steps to "prosecute
abusive soldiers, undertake needed police reforms, or bring an
end to torture. Internationally, India missed opportunities to
be a leader at the United Nations Security Council and Human
Rights Council in protecting the rights of vulnerable people
abroad."
HRW said the Indian government took no action to repeal
the "widely discredited Armed Forces Special Powers Act
(AFSPA), disregarding the recommendations of political leaders
and advisers.
"Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's call for 'zero
tolerance' of abuses by the armed forces has been undercut by
the near zero progress in holding the abusers responsible,"
Adams said.
HRW however said violence in the northern state of Jammu
and Kashmir dropped significantly during 2011. While the
government has promised a thorough inquiry into the discovery
of over 2000 unmarked graves in the state.
PTI
First Published: Sunday, January 29, 2012, 18:22