India in the red on human rights record

The government in India has failed to protect economic, social and cultural rights of the people who have been electing it since Independence in 1947, according to a United Nations report. The concluding observations of the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (UNCESCR) was released here today by the People’s Collective on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (PCESCR), a collective of more than 150 civil society organisations. The PCESCR had gathered for a national consultation to draw up strategies for implementation of the concluding observations formulated by the UNCESCR after the review on India in Geneva. India’s present report card on the human rights front has several ‘red’ marks. For one thing, it has failed miserably in providing any documentary proof to the world monitoring body in support of its claims. “All the government has done is make broad statements like ‘we are committed towards protecting the economic, social and cultural rights of the vulnerable groups and have enacted several legislations to protect their human rights’, but has avoided coming out with a clear, categorical statement as to what it has done to stop widespread and often socially accepted discrimination,” said Mr Miloon Kothari, former UN Special Rapporteur. Harassment or violence persist against members of various disadvantaged groups, including women, scheduled castes, scheduled tribes, the urban poor, internally displaced persons, religious minorities and persons with disabilities, etc., he added. India’s economic policies may have led to rapid and sustained economic growth but has not been translated into substantial employment growth, said the panel. High unemployment and underemployment continues to plague the rural scenario even after the enactment of the NREGA, averred Mr Kothari. UNCESCR committee member Maria Virginia Bras Gomes noted that the panel has raised concerns on as many as 37 human rights’ issues, including the lack of commitment on the part of India and its lawmakers with regard to legal obligations, non-implementation of court decisions and ineffectiveness of the Human Rights Commissions in combating discrimination that continues in spite of legal prohibitions. The UN panel report lamented the lack of action by the Union and state governments in implementation of the Sachar Committee report and recommended its early implementation. Issues like gender inequality, week enforcement of laws against pre-natal sex selection, poor representation of women in decision-making and significant gender disparities in wages have been found to be yet un-addressed in India despite legislation against these ills. The controversial Armed Forces Special Powers Act also came under scathing attack. The report supported the enactment of the Unorganised Sector Workers Social Security Bill which will entitle workers to benefits like maternity benefits, health, old age benefits and labour accident insurance. By Ms.Bobby Aanand, Metropolitan Jury.

"Loved reading this piece by Ms. Bobby Anand?
Join LAWyersClubIndia's network for daily News Updates, Judgment Summaries, Articles, Forum Threads, Online Law Courses, and MUCH MORE!!"

Join our Telegram group

Join our Whatsapp group