Open letter to Prime Minister of India on Prevention of Torture Bill, 2010

Hon’ble Prime Minister of India
New Delhi.

Respected Dr Singh

SUB: Prevention of Torture Bill, 2010

People’s Vigilance Committee on Human Rights (PVCHR) congratulates you for passing The Prevention of Torture Bill, 2010 in the Lok Sabha. It is an initiative that generates hope among millions of victims of torture. It also fulfills India’s commitment to the world.

However, we think that the bill is far short of its expected form, and has undermined the hopes of the millions of victims of true. We think, this bill is designed to protect the public servants who inflict torture. It has also remained silent on the psychological trauma suffered by the victims and ignored the right to rehabilitation for the torture victims. This sends wrong messages to the poor already suffering in its fight against the perpetrator due to delaying judicial process and the nexus between perpetrator and the public servant. The governments both at the centre and state have enough laws to protect its own man, who will protect the majority of the poor people of this country?

Sir, PVCHRs’ partner Danish organization Rehabilitation and Research Centre for Torture Victims(RCT) has analyzed compatibility between The Prevention of Torture Bill in its present form and UN Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (UNCAT). It has also proposed the desirables to be included in the present bill for making it more human and protects the right to life with dignity of ‘aam aadmi.
Thanking you again for your Government’s initiative.

Yours sincerely

DR LENIN RAGHUVANSHI
Executive Director, PVCHR

Dr.MOHANLAL PANDA
Advisor, PVCHR


19.07.2010

Prevention of Torture Bill 2010 - RCT Comments