WUNRN
INDIA - CRIMES AGAINST WOMEN -
JUSTICE VERMA COMMITTEE SUBMITS REPORT CRITICAL OF GOVERNMENT,
POLICE
Justice
J S Verma Committee, set up to recommend measures to improve laws dealing with
sexual offences, has received around 80,000 suggestions and wrapped up its work
within 29 days.
Verma, the head of the three-member panel, was approached by the Central government for the task on December 23. The other members of the panel are former Himachal Pradesh Chief Justice Leila Seth and former Solicitor General Gopal Subramaniam.
He said the failure of governance was the root cause of crime against women. He also said it was “equally shocking” that there was total apathy of everyone who had a duty to perform.
“We have submitted the report in 29 days. When I offered to do the work within 30 days, I did not realise the magnitude of the work,” Verma told a press conference after submitting his voluminous report to the Home Ministry.
He said the report may be known after him but it is the outcome of suggestions from people within India and outside the country.
“We received 80,000 suggestions,” he said adding all of them were read and considered before finalising the report.
On how he decided on a time frame for finalising the report, Verma said when a senior Cabinet Minister approached him on behalf of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, he asked him when is the next session of Parliament.
“The minister told me that the (Budget) session will start on February 21. There were two months. So I decided lets do it in 30 days. If we are able to do it in half the time available, then the government with its might and resources should also act fast,” he said.
He complimented the youth for the mature response.
“Youth has taught us what we, the older generation, were not aware of. I was struck by the peaceful manner in which the protests were carried out...the youth rose to the occasion,” he said.
Highlights
* Hardly any response given by state Police Chiefs: Justice J S Verma
* What is needed to enforce laws is the sensitivity on the part of those who implement it: Justice Verma
* There was total apathy of everyone who had a duty to perform: Verma on the Delhi gangrape incident
* Shocked to see Union Home Secretary was patting the back of Delhi Police Chief: Justice Verma
* Committee also dealt with the issue of marital rape: Justice Verma
* Sexual offences by armed forces and uniformed men in conflict areas should be brought under ordinary criminal law: Verma Committee
* Imminent need to review AFSPA in conflict areas: Verma Committee
* Verma Committee recommends appointment of Special Commissioners with adequate powers to redress complaints of sexual violence against women in conflict areas
* Ambiguity over the control of Delhi Police should be cleared, Verma Committee
* Delhi gangrape case shows the failures of traffic regulations, maintenance of law and order and dealing of sexual assault cases: Justice Verma
* Police action on peaceful protestors scarred Indian democracy: Verma committee
* Every district magistrate should prepare census of missing children: Verma
_______________________________________________________________
India: UN
High Commissioner for Human Rights Praises Groundbreaking Report on
Violence Against Women
GENEVA (25 January 2013) - The
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay on Friday welcomed the report
of the Verma Committee as a groundbreaking basis for action against violence
against women in India, and urged the Government to follow through on its
vision and recommendations.
“I salute Justice Verma and his Committee on producing such a thorough report
so quickly, and for involving women’s groups and civil society so fully in the
process,” the High Commissioner said.
“This report and its
far-reaching recommendations are not only a tribute to the brave young woman
who was raped and murdered five weeks ago, but to all victims of sexual
violence and assault in India,” she said. “It is also a testament to the power
of the young women and men of India, and the broader civil society, who have
joined hands across the nation to say ‘Enough is Enough’.”
The report recommends a number of far-reaching changes including punishment for marital rape, domestic rape and rape in same-sex relationships; requiring police officers to register every case of reported rape and ensuring those who fail to do so face serious repercussions; ensuring accountability of police or armed forces personnel for sexual violence; punishing offences such as stalking and voyeurism with prison terms; changing the humiliating protocol for medical examinations experienced by rape victims; cracking down on extra-legal village councils, known as khap panchayats, which often issue edicts against women; comprehensive measures to improve sexuality education in schools and the community; and making new legal requirements and electoral reforms to ensure that people charged with criminal offences may not hold political office.
“I strongly support the fact
that the report eschews the death penalty and any lowering of the age of
juvenile perpetrators,” the High Commissioner said. “And that, instead, it
recommends suitably heavy prison sentences ranging from seven years to life.”
“The Committee’s recommendations
are grounded in a framework of rights, equality and non-discrimination, and
represent a paradigm shift towards recognition of women as holders of rights,
not just objects of protection,” Pillay said. “The report should serve as a
beacon for many other countries struggling to respect the rights of women more
comprehensively by addressing sexual violence through legislation, policies and
programmes.”
The High Commissioner
acknowledged some of the urgent steps already taken by the Government,
including the establishment of fast-track courts, and urged all political
leaders of the country to rally around the Verma report and make implementation
of its recommendations an unequivocal national priority.
At the invitation of the Verma
Committee, the Office of the High Commissioner made a submission and stands
ready to assist in any aspect of the report’s implementation.
####
See also OHCHR’s news release
dated 31 December 2012: “Fundamental changes needed in wake of India
rape tragedy: Pillay” http://www.ohchr.org/en/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=12910&LangID=E
For more information or media
requests, please contact Rupert Colville (+41 22 917 9767 / rcolville@ohchr.org or Cécile Pouilly (+ 41 22
917 9310 cpouilly@ohchr.org