Statement by India at the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) Working Group 27^th Session (1-12 May 2017) on Human Rights Defenders and RTI Activists: 3^rd UPR of India. [Geneva, 4 May 2017]

   I will now reflect on the issue of human rights defenders and the Right to Information activists. We take immense pride in our extremely vibrant civil society. The Government of India is committed to ensuring a safe working environment for all including those engaged in promoting and protecting human rights.

2. The National Human Rights Commission treats the protection of human rights defenders as one of their core priorities. While being committed to the principle of protection of human rights defenders, we would like all their activities to be in conformity with the legal framework of the land and the rights guaranteed to all the citizens by the Constitution of India.

3. Representations are received by the government on providing security from or on behalf of individuals, including human rights defenders. All such representations are examined on the basis of information available and appropriate action is taken by the government.

4. Transparency in governance has a strong bearing on the day-to-day working of human rights defenders. In this regard, it may be mentioned that the government initiatives and programmes are meant to provide a range of information to the common people and minimise the role of intermediaries. The Digital India programme launched in 2015 has the vision to transform India into a digitally empowered society through increased connectivity, better access to knowledge, improved delivery of services and e-governance through digital means. The Right to Information Act continues to help bring about greater accountability in government’s functioning.

****