Defending the defenders: An analysis of violence against human rights defenders in India

Abstract

Despite global, regional and national initiatives in protection of human rights defenders which have not proved effectively in the ground reality. There are instances of human rights defenders are humiliated, harassed and victimized globally including in India. The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) of India has reported many cases pertaining to violence against human rights defenders in different parts of the country. Over the years, the Commission has been observing an increasing trend and pattern of human rights violations of defenders. Hence, it is pertinent to assess the situation of human rights defenders in the largest democracy of the world. The present study aims to understand the nature and extent of violence against human rights defenders. A total number of twenty five cases were selected from National Human Rights Commissions (NHRC) and analyzed within case and cross through case study method. The study found that the defenders of human rights were victimized by State and Non-State Actors and perceived as a vital challenge for protection of human rights in India. Finally, the paper suggests synergetic strategy of Governant, corporate and civil society organizations to work together in strengthening special protection for human rights defenders in democracy. Key words: Human rights defenders, violence, victimization, human rights, India.