Security forces draws flak from US agency for human rights abuse
FollowA US State Department reports released on 14 April has criticised Indian police and security forces for human rights violations.
The report titled 2015 Country reports onn Human Rights Practices was released by the US Secretary of State John Kerry in Washington.
Abuses by the police and security forces are the most significant human rights problem in India, the US State Department said today in a report.
"The most significant human rights problems involved police and security force abuses, including extra-judicial killings, torture, and rape; corruption remained widespread and contributed to ineffective responses to crimes, including those against women, children and members of scheduled castes or tribes; and societal violence based on gender, religious affiliation, and caste or tribe," the report states.
Kerry has written the following lines in the preface of the report: "The frequently grim examples detailed in this report strengthen our resolve to promote fundamental freedoms, to support human rights defenders and to document and promote accountability for violations of human rights".
The US agency remains critical of police abuse during the 2002 Gujrat riots.
The Department alleges “lack of accountability” for misconduct at all levels of government persisted, contributing to widespread impunity.
"Separatist insurgents and terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir, the northeastern states and the Maoist belt committed serious abuses, including killings of armed forces personnel, police, government officials and civilians. Insurgents were responsible for numerous cases of kidnapping, torture, rape, extortion and the use of child soldiers," the report said.
The report also highlight cases of disappearances, hazardous prison conditions, arbitrary arrest and detention and lengthy pretrial detention.
The report said court backlogs delayed or denied justice, including through lengthy pretrial detention and denial of due process.
