Extra-judicial killing: Strong Police Complaints Commission needed

Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) is powerful. And, though the saying goes that with great power comes great responsibility, this is not the case with Rab. Officers have been accused of human rights violations and the use of excessive force, and most importantly, for extrajudicial killings.

Every suspicious death must be investigated

A family is grieving and looking for answers, thousands of people are protesting on the streets of Kolkata and Delhi, and the Opposition is up in arms over the tragic death of student leader Sudipta Gupta in police custody. The Kolkata Police is trotting out its own dubious version of events.

Demand accountability from Sri Lanka

The time has come for India to be bolder and more confident on human rights at the international level. Its growing stature in international affairs demands this leadership position.

Commonwealth must honour its own commitments

The choice of Sri Lanka as a venue for CHOGM 2013 has always remained controversial.

Comment: Weathering the Storm - the Commonwealth & Maldives

The Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG) is in the eye of a storm in Maldives.

Comment: Need for domestic legislation on peaceful assembly

Police-public clashes have once again occupied centre stage in the Maldives. Over 100 people are believed to have been arrested in the ‘direct action’ protests organised by the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) since 8 July.

Australia and Commonwealth of Nations must take notice of Uganda

A disturbing pattern of suppression of democratic freedoms is emerging in Uganda. Recently, the Public Order Management Bill was passed into law, requiring Ugandans to get the permission of the police prior to holding a public meeting.

Access to Information: Oxygen for Democracy in Ghana

It is often said that information is power. And knowledge too is power. A Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) group in the Volta Region can prove the truth of this saying. The Ho-based group knew there were some government schemes that could benefit them but didn't know what these were.

A Step Towards Justice

The United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) resolution on Sri Lanka is a landmark in many ways.

A Police that we want

A new Police Act is on its way to be enforced in J&K state. A draft of the law has been prepared and has been made public and uploaded on the State Home Departments website (www.jkhome.nic.in).