National Herald: Geneva:
Saturday, May 06, 2017.
“Different
members of the government are speaking in different voices – abroad they speak
of a vibrant political debate in the country and in India, those who speak up
are targeted and slandered,” was the amused reaction of several people on
Thursday evening while watching the Indian delegation led by Attorney General
Mukul Rohatgi mount a spirited defence of India at the UN Human Rights Council.
Earlier
reviews of India’s track record had taken place in 2008 and 2012.
Member
countries on Thursday reminded how India has been constantly delaying the
ratification of the Convention Against Torture, denying rights to minorities
and playing it up as a perception problem. Inclusive development is a key word
used by Indian delegates in foreign fora. And Rohatgi on Thursday spoke with
flourish on the Government’s initiatives such as Make in India, Beti Bachao
Beti Padhao, Swachh Bharat (Clean India) and Jan Dhan Yojana.
Not
surprisingly, he made no mention of cow vigilante groups (Gau goons),
imprisonment of Muslims as terrorists, lynching of cattle traders, crackdown on
NGOs, Ghar Wapsi or Love Jihad.
CONVENTION
AGAINST TORTURE
“The talk to
ratify the convention against torture has been going on since 1997. In 2012,
the Prevention of Torture Bill was formulated and then sent to Rajya Sabha for
recommendations. And after that nothing much has happened,” said Vrinda Grover,
lawyer and human rights activist. adding that no steps were being taken to pass
that legislature.
She said that
in a response to an RTI (Right to Information) she had filed, it was stated
that the Centre only intends to amend Sections 330 and 331. “But these sections
are limited in scope and do not meet the requirement,” she said. The matter has
now been referred to a Law Commission, which will deliberate on the matter.
There have been large scale deliberations, but nothing has happened. “Now, at
the convention, they have said that they are committed to a complete
legislation. Those who speak up against this are targeted and slandered,” said
Grover.
“Culture of
torture is completely alien to Indian culture,” said Rohatgi at the UPR,
adding, “Our government’s motto of ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas’, that is, ‘All
together and development for all’ is a true reflection of our commitment to
achieve inclusive development in the spirit of ‘leaving no one behind’.”
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