New York: A global human rights body has voiced concern that vaguely worded laws in India that criminalise free speech continue to be misused as it asked the new government to fulfil its campaign promises of introducing laws to promote women's rights, end discrimination and punish uniformed personnel for serious rights abuses. Human Rights Watch released its 25th edition of the 'World Report 2015' that reviews human rights practices in more than 90 countries. In the India chapter, it said the new Indian government has expressed a commitment to freedom of speech but has "not ended state censorship or taken decisive action against ultranationalist and other religious militant groups that respond to views they do not like with threats of violence."
It said that "vaguely worded laws that criminalise free speech continue to be misused," adding that police in various states have filed charges under the Indian Penal Code or the Information Technology Act for online comments critical of important political figures, including the prime minister. Prime Minister Narendra Modi should also bring public officials, police, and military personnel who commit serious rights abuses to justice. The government, elected in May 2014, should act to fulfil its campaign commitments to implement laws promoting women’s rights, improve access to health and sanitation, end discrimination, and ensure development benefits for the poor and marginalized.
It noted some encouraging progress on accountability for abuses in 2014, citing the military court sentence to three soldiers and two officers to life in prison for the 2010 extrajudicial executions of three villagers in Jammu and Kashmir. "This rare success was overshadowed by the government’s failure to repeal or amend the draconian Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA), which provides effective immunity from prosecution to military personnel for serious human rights abuses," it said. Human Rights Watch South Asia director Meenakshi Ganguly said the Modi government should seek to repeal the Armed Forces Special Powers Act and ensure justice for security force members who commit serious violations.
