India must keep rights promises: Human Rights Watch
HRW says India has to tackle nationwide culture of impunity protecting troops, police and officials from prosecution.
NEW DELHI:
Human Rights Watch on Monday urged India to live up to its legal and moral commitments after becoming a member of the United Nations Human Rights Council.
The New York-based lobby group said India must repeal special security laws in Indian Kashmir.
It also said the country had to tackle a nationwide culture of impunity that protects troops, police and public officials from prosecution, as well as improve rights for women and children.
India was one of 15 new members elected last month to the United Nations Human Rights Council, which is made up of 47 countries.
HRW said Indian laws prevent justice being done after "arbitrary arrests, torture, and extrajudicial killings by the police, paramilitary, and the army."
"India has made significant promises outlining its human rights record and commitments," said Meenakshi Ganguly, South Asia director at HRW. "Now it's time for India to keep those promises."
The group also called for "archaic" sedition laws to be scrapped, saying they were used to silence dissent and restrict freedom of expression.
Human Rights Watch on Monday urged India to live up to its legal and moral commitments after becoming a member of the United Nations Human Rights Council.
The New York-based lobby group said India must repeal special security laws in Indian Kashmir.
It also said the country had to tackle a nationwide culture of impunity that protects troops, police and public officials from prosecution, as well as improve rights for women and children.
India was one of 15 new members elected last month to the United Nations Human Rights Council, which is made up of 47 countries.
HRW said Indian laws prevent justice being done after "arbitrary arrests, torture, and extrajudicial killings by the police, paramilitary, and the army."
"India has made significant promises outlining its human rights record and commitments," said Meenakshi Ganguly, South Asia director at HRW. "Now it's time for India to keep those promises."
The group also called for "archaic" sedition laws to be scrapped, saying they were used to silence dissent and restrict freedom of expression.