A UN envoy has expressed concern over abuses against human rights defenders, particularly those involved in the defense of "dalits" (untouchables), the local tribal and religious minorities "who are exposed to serious risks and ostracism because of their activities." It 'as said in a press conference in New Delhi, the rapporteur UN special envoy on the situation of human rights defenders, Margaret Sekaggya at the conclusion of a visit of ten days
in five Indian states.
The lawyer, a citizen of Uganda, has collected evidence and opinions of dozens of non-governmental organizations, victims' families, judges and politicians of Orissa, West Bengal, Assam, Gujarat and Jammu and Kashmir
. In New Delhi
also met with representatives of the government, "but not the prime minister or members of Parliament" as it is regretted. The
Sekaggya thanked the government for having "opened" to the mission, but in a six-page preliminary report released today has compiled a long list of serious violations and failure to comply with established safeguards
dall'ordinamento India. "I noticed large gaps in the application of laws at both state and central," he wrote, adding that "having heard the testimony of numerous human rights defenders were killed, tortured, abused
, disappeared, illegally arrested or forced into false confessions."
In particular, he met his wife of Binayak Sen, a defender of the rights of tribal peoples of the eastern state of Chattisgarh, sentenced to life imprisonment on charges of complicity with the Maoist rebels.
The final conclusions and recommendations will be presented in a report to the UN Commission on Human Rights in March 2012.
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