Amnesty finds rights violations throughout India

WASHINGTON, MAY 31. Human rights violations occur throughout India, with socially and economically disadvantaged sections continuing to be particularly vulnerable, the Amnesty International has said in its latest annual report.

Inter-caste, communal, inter-religious and political violence has claimed many lives in several States, including Assam, Bihar, Gujarat, Jammu and Kashmir, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal, the report, released by the executive director of Amnesty International, U.S., Dr. William F. Schulz, said.

``The Government's continuing preoccupation with national security led it to pursue several initiatives for tackling `terrorism' throughout the country, including giving increased powers to a police force which continued to be identified with torture, corruption and other abuses'', Amnesty said.

Though international attention continued to focus on violence against Christian minorities, others including Muslims, Dalits and Adivasis also continued to be victims of ``apparently State- backed violence'' in several areas, the report said. Concerns about discrimination based on religion, particularly directed at Christians, were heightened by statements made by members of certain Hindu groups which appeared to encourage the use of violence, the report said, adding attacks on Christians and Church property also continued.

The report noted that the recommendations made by the Srikrishna Commission of Inquiry into the 1992-93 Mumbai riots remained unimplemented. The Amnesty report said abuses by armed groups, including hostage-taking, torture and deliberate killing of civilians, continued in many parts of India.

Making a special mention of Tripura, the report said hostage- taking, including that of children, continued at an alarming level in the State, where in November it was reported that members of an armed group had tortured a four-year-old hostage.

In Jammu and Kashmir, civilians continued to be targeted for attack, it said.

Releasing the report, Mr. Schulz said globally the organisation found ``that human rights violations take place in almost every country in the world, including our own (U.S.). Torture and ill- treatment occur in 125 countries - an astonishing 84 per cent of the 149 countries we surveyed.''

Pakistan's military regime came in for some severe criticism from Amnesty for its failure to protect minorities, women and children.

The report criticised the trial of the deposed Pakistani Prime Minister, Mr. Nawaz Sharif.

The anti-terrorism court proceedings against Mr. Sharif, who was ousted in a coup in October 1999 and convicted of hijacking in April last year, ``did not fully meet standards for fair trial'', it said.

Amnesty said the Pakistan Chief Executive, Mr. Musharraf was paying lip service to human rights. ``Despite the Government's stated commitment to human rights protection, human rights violations including torture and deaths in custody increased during 2000,'' the report said.

- PTI

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