There is a vibrant and diverse range of non-governmental organizations active in India the majority of whom enjoy a large degree of freedom of association and freedom of expression, however, serious concerns remain about the protection and security of human rights defenders working in some areas and on some issues. In some instances, defenders are subjected to arbitrary arrests and detentions and their personal safety is put at risk. In particular, defenders highlighting alleged human rights abuses by the police and military forces and defenders campaigning on environmental issues and land rights have been targeted.

According to the UN Special Representative on Human Rights Defenders, “defenders in India are active on a wide range of civil and political, economic, social and cultural rights such as caste discrimination, child rights, environmental issues, globalisation and human rights, housing rights, indigenous rights, LGBT rights, women’s rights and trafficking”. These include defenders advocating non-discrimination against dalits, adivasis and other indigenous people and those seeking to uphold human rights in Jammu and Kashmir and other areas of civil unrest. A potential barrier to the operational freedom of human rights organisations is the Foreign Contribution Regulation Bill 2006 which, if adopted, would significantly restrict the foreign funding of non-governmental organisations. Freedom of assembly is guaranteed by the Indian Constitution but limited in practice, with, for example, demonstrations highlighting the adverse environmental and social impact of the Narwada dam project being broken up by the police with excessive force. Defenders campaigning on these and other human rights issues have reportedly been subjected to restrictions on freedom of movement, arbitrary arrests, detentions and criminal charges, torture and ill-treatment while in police custody, harassment, threats, attacks and extra-judicial killings. According to the UN Special Representative, there is an apparent pattern of impunity for violations committed against human rights defenders.

URGENT CASES

India: Human rights defender and trade union leader Mr Murali Mohan beaten to death by police

Post date: 2012/02/7

On 27 January 2012, human rights defender and trade union leader Mr Murali Mohan was beaten to death by police officers outside the Regency Ceramics Limited factory in Yanam, Andhra Pradesh State.

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India: Attack against human rights defenders opposing a nuclear plant project at Koodankulam

Post date: 2012/02/2

On 31 January 2012, six representatives of the People's Movement Against Nuclear Energy (PMANE) and 15 of their supporters were attacked and had stones thrown at them in the Tirunelveli District of Tamil Nadu State.

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India: Killing of human rights defender and right to information activist Mr S Bhuvaneswaran

Post date: 2012/01/19

On 10 January 2012, Mr S Bhuvaneswaran was killed by two men armed with sickles in Kolathur in the district of Chennai in the state of Tamil Nadu.

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