---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: ACHR REVIEW <achr_review@achrweb.org>
Date: Fri, Sep 2, 2011 at 12:58 PM
Subject: [Fwd: RTI activists: sitting ducks of India]
To: achr_review@achrweb.org
---------------------------- Original Message ----------------------------
Subject: RTI activists: sitting ducks of India
From: "ACHR REVIEW" <achr_review@achrweb.org>
Date: Fri, September 2, 2011 2:04 am
To: achr_review@achrweb.org
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Asian Centre for Human Rights
[ACHR has Special Consultative Status with the UN ECOSOC]
C-3/441-C, Janakpuri, New Delhi-110058, India
Tel/Fax: +91-11- 45501889 25620583
Website: www.achrweb.org; Email: achr_review@achrweb.org
Embargoed for: 2 September 2011
Dear Sir/Madam,
Asian Centre for Human Rights (ACHR) has the pleasure to share its latest
report, "RTI activists: sitting ducks of India", released today.
It is available at:
http://www.achrweb.org/ihrrq/issue3-4/India-Sitting-Ducks-2011.pdf
The report highlights that from January 2010 to August 2011, at least 12
RTI activists including Ms Shehla Masood of Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh have
been murdered for seeking information to "promote transparency and
accountability in the working of every public authority" of India.
Even policeman seeking information could not escape death for seeking
information under the Right to Information Act, 2005. On 25 July 2010,
Uttar Pradesh Police Home Guard, Mr Babbu Singh was killed allegedly for
seeking information about government funds and work done by his village
Pradhan (Head) at Katghar village in Bahraich district of Uttar Pradesh.
Many face serious physical assaults on regular basis. Those who seek
information from their village panchayat and other local administration
also face social ostracisation. A large number of threats and attacks on
the RTI activists do not make news.
RTI activists are the most vulnerable human rights defenders (HRDs) of
India. Unlike other HRDs, a large majority of the RTI activists are not
necessarily part of any organisation or group. They often act alone, moved
by outrage against corruption and other illegal activities. RTI activists
are extremely vulnerable as they live in the same areas as the corrupt
public authorities, political leaders and mafia who do not want
information about their illegal activities to be disclosed.
When complaints are made by RTI activists, the law enforcement personnel,
who are usually hand in glove with those threatening the RTI activists, do
not take necessary action. The Right to Information Act, 2005 provides no
protection. The Central Information Commission and the State Information
Commissions are not mandated either to deal with such threats or attacks
or to provide protection when needed.
Asian Centre for Human Rights recommended to the Government of India that
the RTI Act be amended and a separate chapter, "Protection of those
seeking information under the (RTI) Act", be inserted into the Act.
Protection measures should include (i) mandatory and immediate
registration of complaint of threats, use of force or attacks against RTI
activist as First Information Report and placing such FIR before the
concerned magistrate/judge of the area within 24 hours for issuance of
necessary directions for physical protection of those under threats or
their family members, and review such protection measures from time to
time; (ii) conducting inquiry into the threats and attacks by a Police
Officer not below the rank of Deputy Superintendent of Police/Assistant
Commissioner of Police and conclusion of such investigation within 90
days; and (iii) trial of the accused, if offences made out after
investigation, within six months. Further, concerned Public Information
Officers, First Appellate Authorities and those directly related with the
information sought under the RTI Act should be presumed to have abetted
the offences against the RTI activists unless proven contrary.
We thought you would find the report of interest.
With kind regards,
Yours sincerely
Suhas Chakma
Director
From: ACHR REVIEW <achr_review@achrweb.org>
Date: Fri, Sep 2, 2011 at 12:58 PM
Subject: [Fwd: RTI activists: sitting ducks of India]
To: achr_review@achrweb.org
---------------------------- Original Message ----------------------------
Subject: RTI activists: sitting ducks of India
From: "ACHR REVIEW" <achr_review@achrweb.org>
Date: Fri, September 2, 2011 2:04 am
To: achr_review@achrweb.org
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Asian Centre for Human Rights
[ACHR has Special Consultative Status with the UN ECOSOC]
C-3/441-C, Janakpuri, New Delhi-110058, India
Tel/Fax: +91-11- 45501889 25620583
Website: www.achrweb.org; Email: achr_review@achrweb.org
Embargoed for: 2 September 2011
Dear Sir/Madam,
Asian Centre for Human Rights (ACHR) has the pleasure to share its latest
report, "RTI activists: sitting ducks of India", released today.
It is available at:
http://www.achrweb.org/ihrrq/issue3-4/India-Sitting-Ducks-2011.pdf
The report highlights that from January 2010 to August 2011, at least 12
RTI activists including Ms Shehla Masood of Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh have
been murdered for seeking information to "promote transparency and
accountability in the working of every public authority" of India.
Even policeman seeking information could not escape death for seeking
information under the Right to Information Act, 2005. On 25 July 2010,
Uttar Pradesh Police Home Guard, Mr Babbu Singh was killed allegedly for
seeking information about government funds and work done by his village
Pradhan (Head) at Katghar village in Bahraich district of Uttar Pradesh.
Many face serious physical assaults on regular basis. Those who seek
information from their village panchayat and other local administration
also face social ostracisation. A large number of threats and attacks on
the RTI activists do not make news.
RTI activists are the most vulnerable human rights defenders (HRDs) of
India. Unlike other HRDs, a large majority of the RTI activists are not
necessarily part of any organisation or group. They often act alone, moved
by outrage against corruption and other illegal activities. RTI activists
are extremely vulnerable as they live in the same areas as the corrupt
public authorities, political leaders and mafia who do not want
information about their illegal activities to be disclosed.
When complaints are made by RTI activists, the law enforcement personnel,
who are usually hand in glove with those threatening the RTI activists, do
not take necessary action. The Right to Information Act, 2005 provides no
protection. The Central Information Commission and the State Information
Commissions are not mandated either to deal with such threats or attacks
or to provide protection when needed.
Asian Centre for Human Rights recommended to the Government of India that
the RTI Act be amended and a separate chapter, "Protection of those
seeking information under the (RTI) Act", be inserted into the Act.
Protection measures should include (i) mandatory and immediate
registration of complaint of threats, use of force or attacks against RTI
activist as First Information Report and placing such FIR before the
concerned magistrate/judge of the area within 24 hours for issuance of
necessary directions for physical protection of those under threats or
their family members, and review such protection measures from time to
time; (ii) conducting inquiry into the threats and attacks by a Police
Officer not below the rank of Deputy Superintendent of Police/Assistant
Commissioner of Police and conclusion of such investigation within 90
days; and (iii) trial of the accused, if offences made out after
investigation, within six months. Further, concerned Public Information
Officers, First Appellate Authorities and those directly related with the
information sought under the RTI Act should be presumed to have abetted
the offences against the RTI activists unless proven contrary.
We thought you would find the report of interest.
With kind regards,
Yours sincerely
Suhas Chakma
Director
Palash Biswas
Pl Read:
http://nandigramunited-banga.blogspot.com/
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