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UN EXPERT CALLS ON INDIA TO FIGHT IMPUNITY FOR EXTRA JUDICIAL EXECUTIONS
UN EXPERT CALLS ON INDIA TO FIGHT IMPUNITY FOR EXTRA JUDICIAL EXECUTIONS
From: news5-bounces@secint00.un.org [mailto:news5-bounces@secint00.un.org]
On Behalf Of UNNews
Subject: UN EXPERT CALLS ON INDIA TO FIGHT IMPUNITY FOR
EXTRA JUDICIAL EXECUTIONS
UN EXPERT CALLS ON INDIA TO FIGHT IMPUNITY FOR EXTRA JUDICIAL EXECUTIONS
New York, Mar 30 2012 2:05PM
While commending the generally high level of commitment by India to human
rights, a United Nations expert today urged the Government to continue to
fight impunity for extrajudicial executions, and communal and traditional
killings.
The UN Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions,
Christof Heyns,
<"http://www.ohchr.org/en/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=12031&Lan
gID=E">said he recognized the size, complexity, security concerns and
diversity of India - however, he remains concerned that the challenges with
respect to the protection of the right to life in the country are still
considerable.
"Evidence gathered confirmed the use of so-called 'fake encounters' in
certain parts of the country. Where this happens, a scene of a shoot-out is
created, in which people who have been targeted are projected as the
aggressors who shot at the police and were then killed in self-defence," he
told reporters in New Delhi at the end of a two-week mission to India.
He added, "Moreover, in the north-eastern states, and Jammu and Kashmir, the
armed forces have wide powers to employ lethal force."
This is exacerbated, the expert said, by the high level of impunity that the
police and armed forces enjoy, due to the requirement that any prosecutions
require sanction from the central government - something that is rarely
granted.
"The main difficulty in my view has been these high levels of impunity,"
stressed the Special Rapporteur, who reports to the UN Human Rights Council
in an independent and unpaid capacity.
Mr. Heyns also pointed to other areas of concern. These include the
prevalence of communal violence, and, in some areas, the killing of
so-called witches, as well as dowry and so-called "honour" killings, and the
plight of dalits ['untouchables'] and adivasis ['tribal people'].
He called for the establishment of a commission of inquiry, consisting of
respected lawyers and other community leaders, to further investigate all
aspects of extrajudicial executions, as a first step to addressing concerns.
Also recommended is the immediate repeal of the laws providing for immunity
from prosecution of the police and the armed forces, as well as the
ratification of a number of international treaties, including those related
to torture and enforced disappearance.
The full report of his visit will be submitted to the Geneva-based Council
in 2013.
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