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Centre moves torture bill in Rajya Sabha

Gargi Parsai

NEW DELHI: The government on Monday moved the Prevention of Torture Bill, 2010 in the Rajya Sabha for consideration and passing.

The bill that “provides punishment for torture inflicted by public servants or any person inflicting torture with the consent or acquiescence of any public servant, and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto'' will come up for discussion and passing on Tuesday. It was approved by the Lok Sabha on May 6.

The bill is necessitated by India's obligation to bring its law in line with United Nations Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (UNCAT) which it signed in 1997 but has not yet ratified.

Cutting across party lines, 10 Opposition MPs have given notice to move an amendment motion to refer the bill to the Select Committee of the House for wider consultations.

The bill has not been vetted by the department-related Standing Committee.

The amendment would be considered when Home Minister P. Chidambaram moves the bill on Tuesday after a debate on it.

“Bill erodes rights”

Meanwhile the Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative (CHRI) said on Monday that the bill, in its present form, would dilute the existing law and erode the rights of the victims of torture.

In a press statement here, CHRI said the bill failed to establish a strong and credible legal framework for the prevention of torture at the hands of personnel in uniform.

“With so many inherent flaws, the bill needs to be referred to a Select Committee for a thorough re-examination as well as for consultations with concerned persons and public feedback,'' said the international NGO headquartered in Delhi.

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