23.07.2010
Hon'ble Member of Parliament
New Delhi
Respected Madam/Sir
SUB: Prevention of Torture Bill, 2010
People's Vigilance Committee on Human Rights (PVCHR) congratulates you and your party for passing The Prevention of Torture Bill, 2010 in the lower house of the Parliament during the Monsoon session, 2010. This also testifies your commitment for the right to live in dignity for the common man. This bill has generated some hope among the dalits, tribals and other marginalized and poorer sections of the society including women and children who are victims of torture at the hand of the state or due to the nexus between state and private perpetrators.
The sense of victimhood coupled with denial of justice always alienates people from the process of nation building. Recently, a study has projected the number of torture cases in India per year at 1.3 million. The present bill will empower the victims.
However, among the prominent omissions in the bill are (1) It attempts to protect the public servant who are accused of committing torture, (2) Psychological torture must be included in the definition of torture and (3) The victims of torture must have Right to Rehabilitation.
Madam/Sir, PVCHR with research support from Rehabilitation and Research Centre for Torture Victims RCT has analysed compatibility between The Prevention of Torture Bill in its present form and UN Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (UNCAT). It has also proposed the desirables to be included in the present bill for making it more human and used for protecting the right to life with dignity of your countryman.
Thanking you.
Yours sincerely
DR LENIN RAGHUVANSHI
Executive Director, PVCHR
DR MOHANLAL PANDA
Advisor, PVCHR
http://pvchr.blogspot.com/2010/08/prevention-of-torture-bill-2010-few.html
http://testimony-india.blogspot.com/2010/07/open-letter-to-member-of-parliament-on.html
--
Executive Director-PVCHR/JMN
Mobile:+91-9935599333
