Open letter to member of parliament on Prevention of Torture Bill, 2010

                                                                                                            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

 

 

Encl:1. Analysis paper (one) as attachment

 

2. Link:

http://pvchr.blogspot.com/2009/06/no-to-torture-establishment-of-rule-of_4790.html

 http://www.thepetitionsite.com/4/a-petition-against-torture-in-india

http://testimony-india.blogspot.com/2009/08/response-on-mass-petition-by-prime.html

http://pvchr.blogspot.com/2009/12/appeal-on-human-rights-day-to-empower.html

http://lenin-shruti.blogspot.com/2009/06/no-to-torture-establishment-of-rule-of.html

http://pvchr.blogspot.com/2009/05/lobbying-on-police-reform.html

 http://pvchr.blogspot.com/2009/05/step-forward-against-torture.html

http://pvchr.blogspot.com/2010/04/please-fight-for-better-law-against.html

http://www.asianews.it/news-en/More-than-1,500-people-die-of-torture-in-Indian-prison,-human-rights-activist-says-12646.html

http://www.telegraphindia.com/1100616/jsp/opinion/story_12570218.jsp

http://www.guardian.co.uk/journalismcompetition/killing-india-poor-with-impunity

http://pvchr.blogspot.com/2010/04/proposed-anti-torture-bill-hailed.html

http://testimony-india.blogspot.com/2010/03/police-torture-and-media.html

http://www.asianews.it/index.php?l=en&art=17085&size=A

http://testimony-india.blogspot.com/2009/07/glimse-of-anti-torture-day-in-varanasi.html

http://www.ahrchk.net/pr/mainfile.php/2009mr/654/

http://lenin-shruti.blogspot.com/2009/06/no-to-torture-establishment-of-rule-of.html

http://pvchr.blogspot.com/2009/03/dr-lenins-column-on-police-reform.html

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Varanasi/Sign-in-support-of-torture-victims/articleshow/4706255.cms

http://testimony-india.blogspot.com/2009/06/peoples-intiative-for-torture-free.html

http://testimony-india.blogspot.com/2009/06/no-to-torture-establishment-of-rule-of_1730.html

http://pvchr.blogspot.com/2010/07/prevention-of-torture-bill-2010.html?spref=fb

 

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