Activists urge Govt to ratify UN Convention Against Torture

New Delhi, Aug 30 (UNI) Human Rights activists today urged the Government to ratify the 1997-signed United Nations Convention Against Torture before the annual review in February 2008.

They called upon citizens, NGOs, Rights Bodies and communities to come together and work towards fighting torture, which they said has become a means for governments and other authorities to generate fear and subvert democracy.

''It is necessary to ratify the convention to bring about in appropriate changes in the prevailing laws, and to enable institutions and authorities to be committed and accountable in reality to address the practice of torture,'' Director Peoples' Watch Henri Triphange said in his address at the launch of Amnesty International-India's Handbook 'A World Without Torture'.

Mr Triphange said the Ratification will enable a facilitative environment for the entry as well as impartial functioning of UN Special Rapporteurs and Human Rights Commissions.

India is among eight countries-- Comoros, Dominican Republic, Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, Nauru, Sao Tome and Principe and Sudan-- which have not ratified the Convention. As on April 2007, 144 countries have ratified the Convention against torture and other cruel inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.

Amnesty International India Director Mukul Sharma said torture had assumed endemic proportions in police stations and prisons across India and had become an integral part of daily law-enforcement throughout the country.

''Torture has become an industry in the country and many cases of death as a direct result of torture sustained in police and military custody are reported annually...torture is perpetrated on mentally ill, children in homes and orphanages and destitute children by authorities,'' he added.

Mr Sharma said while public concern is frequently expressed at the highest level about prevalence of torture, the violation continues and its perpetrators enjoy impunity.

Expressing similar views, Guild of Service Chairperson Mohini Giri called for making concerted efforts by communities and citizens in fighting torture.

''There is a need to create a pressure group which will ensure that the Government takes note of the issue. Along the ratification it is also required top strengthen NHRC, State Human Rights Commission and other statutory bodies,'' she added.

UNI