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New York-based HR body flays Gujral govt

New York-based Human Rights Watch has criticised the United Front government for its ''failure'' to make progress in advancing human rights in the country during this year.

Its annual report, released yesterday, says Prime Minister I K Gujral, who has a reputation for promoting better relations with neighbouring countries, raised hopes for a rapprochement with Pakistan.

''By the year-end, however, there had been no major breakthrough in relations between the two countries and artillery exchanges across the border had resulted in a number of civilian casualties,'' it adds.

India signed the Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment in October. But the country was reluctant to invite the UN special representative to the country in 1997, says Human Rights Watch.

India's long-delayed report on compliance with the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights also downplayed a number of serious violations. India was one of the most prominent nations to state that it would not sign a new global treaty, banning the use of anti-personnel mines, it adds.

Among the most serious abuses were the police practices that had the sanction of State officials. Deaths in police custody and custodial abuse remained a major problem throughout the country.

It also complains that progress in prosecuting policemen responsible for abuses in some states was offset by official indifference or endorsement of abuse in others.

The report has also drawn attention to the abuses by militant groups in Kashmir.

UNI

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