UPR of India: More focus on social realities needed

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Summary: On 24 May 2012, the UPR working group examined the human rights situation in India.

 On 24 May 2012, the UPR working group examined the human rights situation in India. The Indian delegation frequently referred to the enormous size and diversity of India’s population, highlighting the difficult task facing the Indian government in adequately protecting the human rights of all citizens. Although India’s successes in maintaining a tolerant, democratic order were recognised, various instances of institutionalised discrimination were raised in the course of the review.

The delegation was led by India’s Attorney-General, Mr Goolam Vahanvati, who spoke with rhetorical flourish and declared that India’s human rights record in relation to tolerance is ‘better than any other nation in the developing world’. He described India’s individualised ‘rights-based approach’ to human rights, highlighting advancements in social and economic rights such as the reduction of poverty, infant mortality, and LGBT rights. He pointed to legislative actions taken by the Government to protect these rights, some of which developed from recommendations made during the last review.

80 States participated in the discussion, leaving each speaker with a 1 minute 30 second time slot. Generally, States affirmed the achievements highlighted by Mr Vahanvati, and focussed praise on action taken in decriminalising homosexuality, extending a standing invitation to Special Procedures, and taking measures to reduce HIV rates. Concern was raised about a variety of subjects, focussing on the need to:

  • Ratify the Convention Against Torture (CAT) and its Optional Protocol, the Convention on Enforced Disappearances, the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) and the Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR)
  • Protect freedom of expression on the internet and address questions around intimidation of journalists
  • Amend the Special Marriage Act to ensure that women are given access to assets accumulated during a marriage
  • Take steps to fight female infanticide and foeticide
  • Ratify ILO Conventions 138 and 182 with a view to banning all forms of child labour
  • Prohibit practices that enshrine prejudice against Indian women and girls, and take practical measures to address honour killings and child marriage
  • Institute a moratorium on the death penaltyProtect human rights while carrying out counter-terrorism procedures, and address incidents of extrajudicial killings and torture committed by security forces
  • Guarantee access to justice and provide legal aid to the poor
  • Provide protection for members of religious minorities, scheduled castes and Adivasi groups, human trafficking victims, and LGBT people
  • Ensure that caste-based discrimination is tackled

Further Information

 

Organisation: 
International Service for Human Rights

Countries

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