Opposition to NHRC hosting global meeting despite postponement of recognition
Nearly 2,000 civil society organizations and individuals have signed a statement condemning the fact that the Asia Pacific Forum (APF) has allowed India’s National Human Rights Commission to host its next conference in Delhi, despite The global coalition of human rights organizations has suspended its recognition.
Multiple reports in May reported that the Global Coalition of National Human Rights Institutions had suspended accreditation of the NHRC, citing a lack of diversity in staff and leadership, political interference in appointments, involvement of police officers in investigating human rights violations, and other reasons. Had done it. This was the second time since its recognition by the international body in 1999 that its recognition has been postponed.
According to the report, the statement from 1,877 civil society organizations and individuals said, ‘NHRC India does not have the courage to convene a meeting with civil society members from March 2023 onwards to work out a strategy together with us and Instead he has used the APF conference to politicize the issue.
The organizations said hosting the 28th biennial APF conference in New Delhi on September 20-21 will give the NHRC an opportunity to gain international legitimacy to hide its dismal performance.
In their detailed press release, the organizations have cited the fact that anti-terrorism laws such as the Unlawful Activities (Protection) Act (UAPA) have been used to target and silence human rights defenders, lawyers, activists and journalists, most The prime example is the Elgar Parishad case.
The role of NHRC in Manipur has also been mentioned in the release
It says, ‘Despite such horrific incidents that put human rights at risk, the NHRC was silent. It was only after the Supreme Court initiated suo motu action following complaints of sexual violence against members of the Kuki-Jo community that the NHRC woke up from its slumber and issued a notice to the state of Manipur. To one of the most serious human rights challenges of recent years, which has dimensions of ethnic cleansing, sexual crimes and even possibly crimes against humanity, the NHRC’s response (late and weak) has been inconsistent with its constitutional and legal It was tantamount to turning away from responsibilities.
He said other situations in which it has remained silent were when ‘the government deployed bulldozers in Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Delhi and Haryana to demolish the houses of Muslim minorities as well as those who disagreed with it’ .’
The organizations further said that the NSRC has remained silent on the regular rise of crimes against Muslim minorities across India, and also pointed out the commission’s silence on the arrest of human rights defenders like Teesta Setalvad and journalists like Khurram Pervez. of.
It says that even when Harsh Mander, who was previously associated with the NHRC, was targeted by the government, the NHRC decided to remain a silent spectator.
The release condemned, saying, ‘In not a single case involving journalists that came before the High Courts or the Supreme Court, the NHRC has not considered it appropriate to follow the APF’s March 2022 action plan for the protection of human rights defenders. Many such examples can be given, but the simple fact is that today the NHRC remains a mute spectator to the deliberate destruction of both human rights and the rule of law in India.
The organization said that the APF conference will be an opportunity for NHRC to wash away its sins on the global stage.
He said that NHRC should fulfill the mandate given by the Protection of Human Rights Act as well as the Paris Principles. “We also call upon all Presidents of APF and NHRI to look into the politicization of the APF conference by one of their own members, who has a very poor track record,” the release said.
Also, it said that an indicator of its poor track record is the fact that the NHRC has been functioning without filling three key posts for the last nine months.
