The Saga of Hope – Guruvammal
On the night of September 27th, I was asked to accompany my colleagues to meet a grandmother named Guruvammal to update her about the case. I was astonished to find…
Human Rights
Condemn The Arrest Of Kartik Naik In Sijimali, Odisha
Bhubaneswar, Odisha: We, unequivocally condemn the arrest of Kartik Naik, a vocal and committed leader of the struggle against Vedanta’s bauxite mining in South Odisha. Thirty-year-old Kartik was picked up…
Protection of Children’s Fundamental Rights
Children's fundamental rights are those essential rights required for every child's survival, growth, development, and protection. Safeguarding these rights is not only crucial for their well-being but also essential for…
Missouri to Palestine-Where is feminism in murder?
The state of Missouri murdered Marcellus “Khaliifah” Williams on Tuesday, September 24th, at 6 pm central time. His last meal was chicken wings and tater tots; his last words were,…
Mental Health and Prison
"Jails and prisons are designed to break human beings, to convert the population into specimens in a zoo - obedient to our keepers, but dangerous to each other" - Angela…
Why new cases framed against Rupesh?
It is deeply concerning that new cases are reportedly being framed against political prisoner Rupesh, who has been imprisoned in Viyyur Central Jail for nearly ten years under accusations of…
Disappeared: Media Freedom-A Status Report of Five Years of Free Speech In Jammu and Kashmir 2019-24
Introduction On Sept 18, 2024, the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) goes to the polls in three phases, the first time in a decade, and the first following…
Death Penalty Does Not Prevent Crimes Against Women
PUDR opposes the passage of The Aparajita Woman and Child (West Bengal Criminal Laws Amendment) Bill, 2024, which amends the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, and the Protection of Children…
West Bengal CM’s call for Death Penalty for Rapists Is Politics of Revenge: PUCL
A step backwards for Human Rights,Ensure fool proof investigation, competent prosecution and prevent acquittals, Ensure safety mechanisms in the workplace for women. PUCL condemns the proposal by the Mamata Banerjee…
Stuck Behind Bars Despite Bail
Despite being granted bail, thousands of undertrial prisoners in India continue to endure inhumane conditions in jail. The issue has been a topic of national discussion for quite some time.…
Condemn Custody Death in Nagaon, Assam
25 August 2024, Delhi: PUDR strongly condemns the recent custodial death in Assam which occurred when an accused, a suspect in the gang-rape of a minor girl, drowned in a…
The plight of Interstate Migrant Labour in and around Hyderabad
Hyderabad, especially its Gachibowli, Kokapet and surrounding areas, is a Centre of IT and allied industries and businesses, where lakhs of the cream of the society, with fairly good wages…
PUCL Condemns Udaipur Demolition as Unlawful, Calls for Judicial Intervention
To, Hon’ble The Chief Justice Rajasthan High Court, at Jodhpur Rajasthan Subject: - Urgent intervention…
Open Appeal by 100+ Lawyers and Other Law Professionals from across India to the Judiciary: Uphold Right to Bail, Speedy Disposals & Liberty of All Equal Citizenship Activists
Judicial delays and Multiple Re-hearings of bail applications of ‘equal citizenship’ activists violate fundamental rights to liberty and speedy justice 15th August, 2024: As we mark our 78th Independence Day, NAJAR expresses…
Status of Human and Minority Rights in International Politics
Human rights and human security have become buzzwords in international politics. The doctrine of humanitarian intervention which focused its attention on the willingness and capacity of the intervening power has…
Attempt to Murder Political Activist Pranab Doley and Members of Greater Kaziranga Land and Human Rights Committee
8th August, 2024, Assam: Manohar Pegu, a member of National Alliance of Peoples' Movements (NAPM)and Ritupan Pegu, a member of Greater Kaziranga Land and Human Rights Committee (GKLHRC) had been…
PUCL Condemns the Illegal Detention and House Search of PUCL National Council and Chhattisgarh Unit Office Bearer, Kaladas Dehariya
Demands dropping of fabricated and false UAPA proceedings immediately!! Delhi & Raipur: The PUCL National and Chhattisgarh State branch, strongly condemns the early morning raid today, 25th July, 2024, by the…
Convention held in Jalandhar against the New Criminal Codes and the case against Arundhati Roy and Prof. Shaukat Hussain
“We must not harbour any illusion about the present government being weak. It will be in an offensive mode more than what it was in its earlier avatar. On the…
UAE: Shockingly harsh prison sentences against Bengali workers over peaceful protests reinforce environment of repression
Geneva - The sharp decline in the human rights situation in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the Emirati government’s cultivation of a climate of repression is gravely concerning. Euro-Med Monitor condemns the government’s violations of fundamental rights, such as…
NAJAR condemns the crackdown on advocates in Kashmir!
Calls for immediate release of all advocates and end to repression ! 19th July, 2024: National Alliance for Justice, Accountability & Rights (NAJAR), a collective of progressive legal professionals for…
India: Submission to the UN Human Rights Committee on the deterioration of civic space
CIVICUS, a global civil society alliance has submitted a report to the UN Human Rights Committee on the state of civic space in India ahead of its review today in Geneva of…
“Violation of Civil and Political Rights of Indigenous Peoples in India”: Submission to the 141st Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council
Forum Against Corporatisation and Militarisation, along with Foundation The London Story, Netherlands, International Solidarity for Academic Freedom in India, India Justice Project, Germany and London Mining Network, UK, has submitted…
Tunisia:Authorities deliberately target the first line of defense for rights and freedoms
In a historical precedent that deeply impacted Tunisian society by targeting lawyers who are fundamental defenders of rights and freedoms, the Tunisian government's violations escalated rapidly. On 11 May 2024,…
Extra judicial killings, False arrest and Forced Surrenders in Bastar: The Unchecked Violation of human rights
New Delhi, June 29, 2024: People’s Union of Civil Liberties would like to bring to your notice the alarming fact of the brazen killings by security forces of more than…
Killings and Fake Encounters by Assam Forest Department in Laokhowa Wildlife Sanctuary
We, the Community Network Against Protected Areas (CNAPA), strongly condemn and resist the recent atrocity, where two youths lost their lives to firing by armed forest guards inside Laokhowa Wildlife…
Condemn the Delhi Lieutenant Governor’s sanctioning of the prosecution of Arundhati Roy & Dr Sheikh Showkat Hussain under the UAPA
On June 14, 2024, Delhi Lieutenant Governor V.K. Saxena granted sanction to prosecute author Arundhati Roy and Kashmir-based academic Dr Sheikh Showkat Hussain (former Professor of International Law at Central…
Withdraw the prosecution against Arundhati Roy & Dr. Sheikh Showkat Hussain under the UAPA:PUCL
The PUCL condemns the decision of the Delhi Lieutenant-Governor Vinay Kumar Saxena to grant Delhi Police sanction to prosecute writer Arundhati Roy and Sheikh Showkat Hussain, (former Professor of International…
Bridging the Gap Between the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Sharia Law: A Path Towards Harmonization
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) and Sharia law are two significant frameworks that guide human rights practices and ethical standards globally. However, they often appear to be in…
Rights Activists Are Denied Access To Bastar Region
On the Intimidation and Turning Back of Democratic Rights Activists Who Seek to Investigate the Ground Situation in Bastar. The Indian state continues to ensure an information blackout regarding the…
NHRC Deferred for Third Time: A Major Setback for India
The Sub Committee of Accreditation of the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI) decided to defer the accreditation of India's National Human Rights Commission (NHRC-India) for the second…
Custodial Torture Claims the Life of Juvenile: A Mother’s Quest for Justice
As the world welcomed the New Year in 2023, Ms. Priya Palani endured an unimaginable tragedy the loss of her eldest son, Gokul Sri, under mysterious and brutal circumstances. Ms.…
National Human Rights Commission: Accreditation by the United Nations
Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993 National Human Rights Commission of India (NHRC, hereafter) was created under the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993 (PHRA, hereafter) to provide for the…
Gautam Navlakha’s letter on release from custody
I wish to thank the Supreme Court for upholding the bail granted to me by the Bombay High Court. It proved to be a long wait but well worth it.…
Supreme Court Decision and Strong Media Comment Indicate Growing Consensus on Injustice Done to Prabir Purkayastha and NewsClick
The welcome extended by several organizations of journalists as well civil liberties organizations to the Supreme Court’s decision on granting bail to Prabir Purkayastha as well as strong supportive comments…
AiNNI confirms the NHRC’s Second Deferral by GANHRI and an NHRC to be led by a Women from June 2024 with no men as its member
This is in relation to the news that has been published as regards the second deferral of the NHRCl’s accreditation before the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI). …
PUDR welcomes the release of NewsClick editor Prabir Purkayastha
PUDR welcomes the release of NewsClick editor Prabir Purkayastha and the long overdue reminder to law enforcing agencies to respect constitutionally guaranteed rights. People’s Union for Democratic Rights (PUDR) welcomes…
PUDR welcomes bail to civil rights activist Gautam Navlakha
In the Bhima Koregaon case, with relief PUDR welcomes the Supreme Court order upholding regular bail for Gautam Navlakha, a well-known civil rights activist, author and journalist. The Bombay High…
Justice Delayed is Justice Denied for the Thousands of Possibly Innocent Undertrials in Jails
Innocent till proven guilty is the most widely accepted precept of justice, yet thousands of possibly innocent persons have to languish for years in jails. In a recent excellent report…
Iranian Rapper’s Death Sentence Sparks Outrage, Global Rallies
Popular Iranian dissident, rapper and hip-hop artist Toomaj Salehi, a 33-year-old former factory worker known for his protest songs and social media posts critical of the government of the Islamic…
Wakeup NHRC, you are Up for Review of Accreditation
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) of India was established in 1993. In 30 years of its history, it has undergone a process of accreditation in 2006, 2011, 2016, 2017…
Were Delhi Chief Minister Kejriwal To Die In Tihar Jail For Deficient Treatment, A Murder Case Against Indian Home Minister Would Be In Order
Kejriwal has accused authorities at Tihar prison and Enforcement Directorate (ED) of depriving him of medication (Insulin) and of lying to a Delhi Court that he was intentionally eating high…
Justice With A Human Face
When an old and seriously ill Stan Swamy,one more accused in the infamous Bhima Koregaon-Elgar Parishad case, knew death was near,he had pleaded that he be allowed to spend his…
Uphold Shoma Sen’s Bail Order: Release all Bhima Koregaon detainees!
PUDR expresses relief at the Supreme Court’s granting of bail to Prof. Shoma Sen on April 5, after nearly six long years of pre-trial incarceration. Charged under the Unlawful Activities…
Request to Lula in defence of Indian journalist Prabir Purkayastha
Letter sent to President Lula in the second week of March, signed by representatives of the eight Brazilian organisations that created the World Social Forum in January 2001. The worldwide…
Release Adivasi Leader Surju Tekam & End Fake Encounters and False Arrests
FACAM is appalled at the arrest of Sarva Adivasi Samaj Vice President Bastar Jan Sangharsh Samanvay Samiti Convenor, Surju Tekam on 2nd April 2024 under the draconian Unlawful Activities (Prevention)…
Nothing ‘Right’ about India’s Human Rights Commission
The accreditation review of the National Human Rights Commission ofIndia (NHRCI), is scheduled to take place in the last week of March 2024 and in the last week of April 2024. This…
GANHRI must evaluate NHRCI’s rating carefully during the upcoming accreditation process
To, Chairperson Maryam Abdullah Al AttiyahGlobal Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI) Geneva, Switzerland Re: Review of the Accreditation Status of the National Human Rights Commission of India Dear…
School Teacher Suspended in Tamil Nadu for Writing an Article
In the domain of education, only few individuals possess the unwavering dedication whose efforts shape the future of countless individuals. Uma Maheshwari is a teacher working at the Government Higher…
Indian Home Minister; Trial Court Judges; Two Supreme Court Judges; Sanctioning Authority Stand Convicted in Public’s Eyes! – Professor G. N. Saibaba’s Acquittal
by P.S. Sahni & Shobha Aggarwal Countercurrents.org had published our article – within 9 days of Saibaba’s arrest (euphemism for abduction) on 9 May 2014. The article titled: “Professor G.N.…
OP Jindal Global University Students to Continue Struggle Over Suspension And Ban on Student Organisations
Interview of Ramnit, RSL with Editorial Board, Inquilab, The Central Organ of AIRSO on the Issue in OP Jindal Global University Editorial Board: The series of events that took place…
Violation of Human Rights in India in 2023
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led Indian government continued with state policies that discriminate and stigmatise religious and other minorities resulting in increasing incidents of communal violence in many parts of…
“Jail, not Bail”: Is the SC setting the clock back?
The non-application of constitutional principles to the interpretation of the UAPA bail provisions is a failure of constitutional justice The Supreme Court in its ruling on 7th February, 2024 in…
Police Case Filed Against Woman Editor Of Magazine In Kerala
by Mrudula Bhavani and P.Ambika A case has been filed against the woman editor of a magazine in Kerala in Kozhikode’s (Calicut) KASBA police station. This time it is against…
Violence in daily life is much more tragic than is commonly realized
Wars are commonly associated with the most fearsome violence. This is often true, but another reality that deserves more attention is that violence in daily life brings death, serious injury…
Julian Assange: Unmasking Truth Amidst Global Tensions and Legal Battles
by Dimitris Eleas and David Andersson In our complex world, understanding global events is crucial. We hunger for truth about Amazon rainforests, Tibet and China, Niger in Africa, Antarctica, Guyana,…
Human Rights Traditions in Islam: An Overview
Introduction The Islamic concept of human rights contains numerous moral exhortations. Helping orphans, widows, wayfarers and the poor has been greatly stressed by the holy Quran and Sunnah (Prophetic traditions)…
The Prolonged Nitrogen Gas Execution of Kenneth Smith Has Been Condemned As Torture
A death row prisoner used his final words to say “humanity had taken a step backwards” before he was killed in a prolonged suffocation condemned as torture. Kenneth Smith shook and writhed…
Women Members in National Human Rights Commission
Since its inception National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) had 29 members and chairpersons out which only 4 are women. On December 28 2023 Smt Vijaybaharathi Sayani is appointed as a…
Woman murdered by her husband in UP, Greater Noida: A Suspected case of Dowry Death
Dowry deaths in India are becoming very prevalent in recent days. Dowry is technically illegal in India since the year 1961 after the dowry prohibition act of that year. It…
Protest Against Displacement of Adivasis in Kaimur and Hasdeo and the Killing of 6-month-old Infant in Bijapur
On 10th January 2024, Forum Against Corporatization and Militarization (FACAM) held a protest gathering at Delhi University Art Faculty against the cutting of trees and land grab of Adivasi peasant…
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