Human Rights Watch: Breaking the Silence – Child Sexual Abuse in India and the lack of Government response
	A new book of essays and articles by G.P. Joshi examining the major ills plaguing policing in India.
	The Justice Verma Report – Amendments to the Criminal Law. Systemic recommendations on Indian police reform.
The next NIPSA Quarterly will be out in July. To contribute, please send in your articles or reports to : nipsasecretariat@nipsa.in by 15 June, 2013.

April 2013

Dear Friends!

Welcome to the Network for Improved Policing in South Asia E-Newsletter for April 2013!  The last quarter has been full of major policing developments throughout South Asia.  We’ll help to spotlight some of these issues in this edition of the NIPSA Quarterly.

Articles and Analysis

Vikash Narain Rai, Ex-Director of the National Police Academy, analyses the recommendations of the Verma Committee after the December 2012 gang rape in Delhi and questions whether they are truly useful in confronting the issue of violence against women in India.  We also include a video interview of Mr. Rai from CHRI’s National Conference on Policing, where he discusses police training, Constitutional conditioning, tolerance policing and other relevant topics.

Abdulla Phairoosch, Assistant Commissioner of Maldives Police Service, systematically analyses the Maldives Police Custodial System, including its technical reach and the ways the Maldives Police Service is trying to enhance service delivery through increased transparency and accountability.

Fawzia Khondker of Bangladesh’s Police Reforms Programme writes about the need for promoting gender sensitive policing in Bangladesh, specifically by increasing the participation of women in the Bangladeshi police, increasing gender awareness and improving victim support services.

Rashid Kazmi of Pakistan’s Rozan analyses the issue of Separation of Powers and Police Reform and how it is necessary to ensure individual liberties, promotion of the rule of law, and an increase in transparency and accountability.

The Maldivian Democracy Network writes on the challenging road ahead for the fledgling Maldives Police Service, and specifically how all State institutions must remain citizen-centered through legislation in order to effectuate an effective democratic transition.

NIPSA Members News and Activities

Jammu and Kashmir government is set to change its police law.  A draft bill was made available on the government’s website on 15 February 2013 but only 2 weeks were allowed for public comments. CHRI together with local civil society raised serious objections to many of its draconian provisions and failure to comply with Supreme Court directives on police reform. A strong public demand for an inclusive and consultative reform process ensued, resulting finally in the government extending the consultation period by a month.The feedback deadline has further been extended till 30 April. In addition, the state government has constituted a 5-member committee to hold wider consultations with civil society on the police bill.  Below is an article by CHRI’s Navaz Kotwal and Kashmir-based RTI and Social Activist  Dr. Raja Muzaffar Bhat on this pressing issue.

Individualland Pakistan (IL-Pakistan) writes a note on the issue of gender based violence or violence against women in Pakistan, as well as a highly informative explanation of their initiative titled, “Women Police as Change Agents and Gender Based Police Reforms”, which highlights and recognizes the work of women police personnel as well as focusing on the challenges they face.

CHRI held a National Conference on March 9-10 in New Delhi, India to address and actively discuss the need for an improved policing service in India, particularly after the public demand for reform after the 2012 Delhi gang rape that shocked the world.  Entitled Police Practice, Prejudice, and Performance: Making the Change, the conference was an open and honest exploration of policing problems as well as an opportunity to create workable solutions, all organised under a thematic structure to keep the dialogue clear, novel and effective.  Included below is a previous update on the conference.

Thank you to all the contributors in this edition of NIPSA. Once again, we call upon all of you to take steps to expand our network and get involved. We continue to look for articles and contributions for our following E-newsletters.

Please feel free to contact us at vivek@humanrightsinitiative.org for any further questions, comments, or suggestions.

We look forward to the next edition of The NIPSA Quarterly!

Articles and Analysis

A Remedy to Verma Committee on Rape Episode DelhiSo Much of Steam and So Little Substance

Written by: 

Vikash Narain Rai

Mr. Vikash Narain Rai, Ex-Director, SVP of the National Police Academy, Hyderabad, has written that the Verma Committee’s recommendations to the government after the Delhi gang rape of December 2012 will not substantially impact sexual crimes in India.  He argues that a mere augmentation of law and order measures and ensuring harsher penalties will not give any meaningful breakthrough in the fight to increase safety of women.  Instead a two pronged strategy is suggested, laying emphasis on empowerment of female gender through comprehensive laws in tandem with gender sensitization of the state functionaries at all levels through regular structured interventions.  Mr. Rai’s position is that:

• Crimes against sex draw their sustenance from the crime against gender. Hence, along with the sexual crimes, the gender crimes need to be identified as real menace to be urgently brought on the statute book.
• A constitutionally conditioned mindset of the Government functionary would play as critical a role as his/her authority, efficiency and accountability in winning the confidence of the victim and support of the society. The paradigm change is achievable through appropriate personal/social/ethical/legal conditioning of those involved in the Law & Order and the other justice delivery protocol.

Mr. Rai argues that free registration of cases, speedier trial and stringent punishment are not such significant reforms that will lead to the kind of change India needs.  He writes: “Because free registration will help only when the offences are reported without any inhibition to police, speedier trial will play its role only when the reported cases stand trial in courts, and stringent punishment will be felt only when the trials are supported by evidence to end up in convictions. Sadly, the Verma Committee’s recommended measures do not alter the prevailing logjam to make any favourable dent in the above equations.”  Click here to read Mr. Rai’s full critique.

Also, please find an interview of Mr. Rai taken during CHRI’s National Conference on Policing held on March 9-10 in New Delhi.  He discusses police training, Constitutional conditioning, tolerance policing and other topics related to improved policing in India.

Maldives Police Custodial System

Written by:

Abdulla Phairoosch, Assistant Commissioner of Police, Maldives

Maldives Police Service was created in 01 September 2004. The policing function was previously attended by a small unit within the National Security Service (now renamed as Maldives National Defence Force) under the reporting framework of Ministry of Defence and National Security. The change was due to the increased pressure on the government for strengthening democracy and enhancing human rights protection. The ‘democracy movement’ was at its helm and consequently there were frequent protests, often turning to riots, in an environment where close inspection by many local non-governmental bodies and international societies were predominant and every action of police were subjected to thorough scrutiny. Hence, maintaining law and order was extremely difficult as offenders would try to disguise their arrests behind the mask of ‘democracy movement’ and everything they said would be taken on face value.

Given the prevailing situation and the need to earn respect as a modern policing agency focused on democratic values and good governance, Maldives Police Service looked into ways to enhance service delivery, increase transparency and accountability. One of the important areas of concern for the police leadership was the offender or arrestee management. As a result, the department responsible for detainee management was given special focus, and new facilities were obtained for effective administration. “AtholhuVehi” complex, previously used by the Ministry of Atolls Development was transferred to police and it was converted to a police holding facility, with the Male’ Custodial, on 08 April 2006. New structures, required for investigation, detainee hold-up and management were built within the compound. On 01 September 2006, Detention Department was rebranded as Police Custodial Department. Immediately, computerization of detainee related information commenced along with upgrading of crime register.

In 2007, police arrestee records were transferred to Oracle platform from the aged FoxPro. Furthermore, a new module was incorporated within the digital crime register to generate forms on arrestee information, and change of holding facility, with provisions for printing arrestees’ photographs. Police Custodial System (PCS) software was developed soon after. A dedicated computerized center for collecting arrestee information whilst making arrest, was established by the name of “Arrest Station” at Male’ Custodial. Arrest Station was inaugurated on 29 March 2007 (74th Police Day).

The Police Custodial System (PCS) software helps with the management of arrestees through the unique 6 modules in-house built by staff of Maldives Police Service. The 6 modules in it are:

1. Arrest Station Module (initial entry of arrestee information);
2. Investigation Officer Module (records all activities and events related to detainee through the legal process);
3. In-charge Module (management of detainees, electronic records and reporting);
4. Committee Module (During then the investigation officer has to present the case before a committee to make a decision on the case; whether forwarding for prosecution, or follow further leads, and find amicable solution, etc. The Committee would be able to scrutinize the case documents through nodal computer, and they should record their decisions on it so that the information would be available to supervisors);
5. FSD Module (This module would be available only for the officers working at Forensic Support Department to feed the data on crime scene and evidences collected for the case.)

Since then, the PCS has undergone numerous upgrading based on various requirements. It is currently designed to accommodate and store information collected in the entire processing of an arrestee. In order to reduce errors and collect correct information, information provided by the detainees would be compared with the National Registration Authority’s database before registering. When a registration is made, there would be options to fill-in the officers’ names who searched/frisked the detainee in the Body Search Form. Any items found in the possession of the detainee would have to be recorded in this form. Depending on the nature of the crime suspected for, a urine sample would be taken. The PCS allows the officers to record the information on urine (date and time give, refused, etc.). In case DNA sample was taken, a record of which has to be made in the PCS software. Whilst making an arrest (at the Arrest Station) photographs of the detainee have to be taken and the same can be scanned into the software too. The officer at the Arrest Station would be required to provide the detainee with a system generated copy with details of the items the detainee had with him. The officers shall also note the items issued (such as pillow, items for personal hygiene) to the detainee on the system. It is essential to manage the supplies and stock.

Though personal details of the detainee will be entered into the system by the arresting officer, an investigation officer from the department responsible for investigating the crime would have to confirm. If the process fails, the officer at the Custodial Unit shall release the detainee not later than 24 hours. In cases where arrest has to be extended (more than 24 hours), the investigation officer shall feed relevant documents, including court orders to the system, else it will be colour coded, enabling the supervisors to make a decision. For every detainee a unique file number would be generated by the PCS, which would be used in all identification and record keeping purposes.

Through the PCS, the custodial officers would be able to record the visitors for detainees. Duration of meetings, names of the visitors, their address, and other relevant information would be recorded. In the same manner, when an arrestee requests for his legal representation, the defence lawyers’ information would be stored in the system. The system also has provision for storing the medical records of detainees. The officers at the custodial units are expected to feed in information regarding damages to the properties as well as bodily harms self-inflicted or otherwise. In cases where detainees had injuries when brought to the custodial unit, all information regarding the injury has to be recorded, and if need be, the recording officer shall notify supervisors.

Every detainee would have a cell log created as soon as his/her arrest is confirmed. The cell log will contain all the movements of the detainee from detention till release. The law demands every detainee be presented before a court to make a decision on the arrest. The investigation officers will have to send their request through PCJ for him to be taken to the court. In cases where DNA comparison is required a swab sample taken from the detainee shall be submitted to the DNA Laboratory with a DNA submission card. This card can be accessed from the detainee’s profile. A list of all the detainees whose DNA sample had been taken can be viewed from the home page of the PCS. When a place of confinement gets changed (for instance house-arrest), the investigation officer has make this request through the PCJ for it to take effect. Other than these, there are search and view features for most of the functions.

Gender Sensitive Policing

Programme of Police Reform

Written by:

Fawzia Khondker

Police Reform Programme

The Police Reform Programme (PRP) Of Bangladesh is a long-term and comprehensive capacity building initiative to improve human security in Bangladesh. PRP supports the transition from a colonial style police force to democratic policing by strengthening the Bangladesh Police’s ability to contribute to a safer and more secure environment based on respect for the rule of law, human rights and equitable access to justice. The Programme has a specific focus on the poor and disadvantaged, women and children.

To achieve the above, the project is implemented in line with six main outcomes with relevant key outputs. Outcome area no 5, Promoting Gender Sensitive Policing, is working towards “Promoting the rights of women and children to be free of fear through improved representation at all levels and the provision of equitable and sensitive policing and victim support services.” To achieve this, three key outputs have been identified.  These include:

1. Increased Participation of women in Bangladesh Police at all ranks
2. Increased gender awareness
3. Improved victim support services

1. Increase participation of women in Bangladesh Police

It is widely acknowledged that women are under-represented in law enforcement in Bangladesh. Increased representation of women in the Bangladesh Police is critical to sustain reform. For example, the retention and effective deployment of women police is linked to the sustainability of the crime prevention and community policing outcomes, as more female investigating officers will likely encourage more women to assist the police with investigations and prosecutions. All support to this outcome will be consistent with Bangladesh Police policies and regulations.

The PRP follow-up survey demonstrated overwhelming public support (90%) for women to work in the police service. Over 40% of the respondents felt women should comprise half of the police force. PRP will support the Bangladesh Police to get closer to the LDC average of around 8% women’s representation in the police service.

PRP has developed Women in Policing Strategy for BP to actively increase the number of women police and use them more effectively and support an action plan to ensure the progressive deployment of women police officers around the country. This includes a comprehensive plan to actively recruit women at all levels, for instance through advocacy programmes, awareness creation in the community & universities, or advertisement published in the newspapers so that more women are motivated to take on this challenging career.  Serving in the police has never been a traditional career choice for a woman in our society. As such, PRP has undertaken special initiatives in different divisions of the country to attract women from different socio-economic groups to join the police.

PRP has also focused on increasing the quality and quantity of female leadership within the police. It has taken on different initiatives, one of which was the formation of a network among the women police. In 2008, Bangladesh Police Women’s Network (BPWN) commenced its activities. This network is the first of its kind in South Asia.

BPWN became a member of the International Association of Women Police (IAWP) in 2009. A senior women police became the coordinator of region 15 of the IAWP. Region 15 consists of 11 South East Asian countries. One of the important agenda items of the IAWP was to set a specific goal for each region. Region 15 committed itself to set up more Women Police Network in the region. Next year, the board meeting of IAWP will be held along with a regional conference in Bangladesh to share and learn from the experiences of other regional countries on police woman’s performance especially in South Asian Countries.

It is important to mention that involvement of police women in the UN mission has created an optimistic image of police women of Bangladesh. It has shown that police women can carry out such missions under difficult circumstances. In 2010 an all women police battalion was sent to Haiti. It shows the leadership role of police women has amplified. Police women have been challenging the stereotypes about women’s ability and demonstrated that they can deal with crimes and other tasks.  PRP established a day care centre in Rajarbag Police line. It will help the police women for more concentration in their day to day work.  

BPWN regularly meets with women police to identify their needs and to build the capacity of the women police so that they can provide women friendly services to the community.

BPWN is creating awareness among the women police about the roles and responsibilities of women police. BPWN has also taken special measures to create professionalism of women police. They have their own plan to promote gender within BP.

2. Increasing Gender Sensitivity:

Creating gender sensitivity among the police is a challenging task. Gender is a social and cultural construction; therefore it will take time to make all the police personnel gender sensitive.  Both long term and short term activities/programmes are needed to motivate and persuade them.

Regular trainings on gender were imparted to the police; a gender module was developed & selected personnel (98) were provided with ToTs. Currently they are working as master trainers. A gender guideline was published for the police stations and regular gender orientations are provided to the police.  Apart from these, other awareness creation programmes were also undertaken. These are ongoing activities of PRP and indicate increasing awareness within BP. For instance, the PRP has been assisting the BP with training of women police for specialist roles and positions of leadership. Support was provided by the PRP to assist the BP members to deliver training on how to work effectively with women (whether as colleagues or clients) in a non discriminatory and equitable way.

To sustain the process gender sensitivity perspectives will be included in the main curriculum of Bangladesh Police. It is one of the main agendas for the PRP.

3. Victim Support Centre: A Joint Initiative of Bangladesh Police and 10 NGOs

Every day women and children in Bangladesh become victims of vicious crimes including domestic violence, trafficking, acid burn, sexual harassment and rape. These are despicable crimes with traumatic physical, psychological, and social consequences. In addition to the inevitable psychological trauma, survivors face social isolation and ostracism that further damages their self-esteem and seriously undermines their personal and professional futures.

Against this backdrop, the Bangladesh Police with the support of the Police Reform Programme has set up Bangladesh’s first-ever Victim Support Centre (VSC) at Tejgaon Thana premises in 2009. Bangladesh Police has also signed Memorandums of Agreement (MoA) with the 10 NGOs for ensuring integrated services to the women and children. The establishment of a Victim Support Centre  within a policing environment and staffed by trained female police officers is a groundbreaking strategy that will encourage victims to report crime to police in a safe and secure environment while accessing  professional services.

The primary role of victim support is to comfort and assist victims in the aftermath of the crimes which they have suffered, to advise them of the remedial processes and to guide them through the ensuing prosecution of the person accused of the crime. In order to provide appropriate, professional and timely assistance to victims of crime, all staff at the VSC have been provided with specialized training to enhance their capacity to deal with victims and to facilitate and coordinate a support network, engaging health care professionals, social workers, lawyers and personnel from NGOs. The NGOs will work in full co-operation with the VSC and be available to provide assistance and support on a twenty four hour basis. The VSC is operated by the 24 female police officers and NGO representatives jointly.

Services provided by the Victim Support Centre: 

A wide-range of services are provided to victims including emergency shelter and immediate support, health care, legal advice and support, psychological advice and counselling, training and capacity building for rehabilitation of the victim and support for re-integration into family and community.  The Victim Support Centre model is expanding in 6 divisions and one in Ragamati. Partnership with NGOs and other Government agencies will be strengthened to build victim support networks and referral mechanisms to streamline access to justice, social and medical support.

Sustainability of the programme.

Bangladesh Police Women’s Network was formed in 2008. Now more focus will be given to the sustainably issues of the BPWN.  They are in a process to raise funds for their sustainability. A Gender Focal Person will be selected from each district, central and divisional gender coordination committees will be formed so that the gender committees will take responsibilities to implement the gender programme. BPWN will provide advisory support to the GFPs to mainstreaming gender programme. Gender Policy has developed which will ensure gender friendly policies for mainstreaming gender.  Bangladesh Police has already taken over the responsibilities of VSC of Tajgaon, including financial cost of VSC.  BP committed to take over the responsibilities of other 6 VSCs and linked the recurrent costs in the main budget of BP. It shows that BP is in the process to sustain the gender initiatives taken by PRP.

Separation of Powers & Police Reforms in Pakistan

Written by:     

Rashid Kazmi Advocate

Rozan

Edited by:

Sayyed Safi Peerzada

Rozan

Pakistan Forum on Democratic Police (PFDP) has conducted a session on ‘Separation of Powers & Police Reforms in Pakistan’ at Rozan for the members of the CSOs and PFDP working on police reforms to discuss and understand the trajectory of the phenomenon of police reforms. Mr. Danyal Aziz Ex-MNA/Former Chairperson National Reconstruction Bureau was the speaker in this session. The talk was followed by a question-answer session. The main areas of the discussion were the history/background of police reforms process, separation of powers among institutions and the way forward to achieve the goal of having a citizen-centric and democratic police institution in Pakistan. Later Rabta, Rozan’s Police Program team further researched around the topic and documented it for sharing and learning purposes.

Pakistan, with historical legacies and interventions of dictatorships and autocracy, has slowly evolved towards democracy. It is inevitable for a democratic society to establish the subordination of the military and police institutions to the civil democratic authority. It is also very much pertinent that each institute of the State should work in its own legitimate sphere. The subordination and the separation of power in fact amplify to: develop and protect individual freedoms and civil liberties by covering citizen safety and security, promote the rule of law, enable the direct and representative democratic institutions, establish a justice system, create internal and external accountability, ensure institutional transparency, fostering legitimacy in institutions and ultimately forge a society which bears true aspirations of democracy, cherish with values of equality, justice, peace and prosperity.

Historical Evolution of Independence of the State Institutions

It is important to understand that police institutions cannot perform in isolation.  Rather it has to closely coordinate with other institutions of the State i.e. Executive/Administration and Judiciary. In colonial era there was concentration of powers of Judiciary, Executive and Administration in the hands of individuals and officers. This system was known as Officer Kind Model where the district Administration was headed by the Deputy Commissioner. Under this system, the responsibility for policing is vested in the Commissioner of Police.¹

After Independence, with gradual Constitutional developments the Law Reforms Ordinance (LRO) had promulgated in 1972. LRO is the cradle of Independence of the Judiciary, where the Judiciary is parted from the Executive and police became more autonomous. The essence of article 175(3) of the Constitution of Pakistan is derived from the LRO. The separation of powers among institutions of the State has enunciated succinctly in the constitution which keeps role institutions more distinct in order to prevent abuse of power and enhanced accountability mechanism. The role of Judiciary is a key factor to reform a country and particularly transform the police force into a police service, but surprisingly the recent acts of the democratic government are undermining judicial independence, who ironically claimed themselves as champions of the independence of the Judiciary.

Article 175(3) of the Pakistan Constitution argues that “the Judiciary shall be separated progressively from the Executive from the commencing day”. A specific and separate role was visualized and provided for each of these important organs of the State. The landmark case, Al-Jehad Trust vs. Federation² of Pakistan, explains the doctrine of separation of powers in the following words: “the Legislature has to legislate, the Executive has to execute laws and the Judiciary has to interpret the Constitution and laws.” The same verdict and comment was given by Mr. Ajmal Mian, Chief Justice of the Sindh High Court and in the case of Sharaf Faridi vs. Federation.³ Later the Supreme Court also upheld the same decision on the case⁴ and highlighted the need for the financial autonomy of the Judiciary as an important element in its meaningful independence.  In this case the Supreme Court reinforced the concept of separation of powers among pillars of the State (Administration, Executive and Judiciary) which make the Judiciary autonomous.⁵

It is self-evident from the history that dictators always put effort towards devolution and decentralization of the power and introduce local government systems to break the power structure formed by democratic governments for their vested instrument. The democratic governments did the opposite paradoxically and never persuaded to transfer the powers of the Executive at the local level in order to possess monarchic power with them at central/provincial level. Being military ruler and dictator, Pervez Musharaf again upheld the agenda of decentralization and enacted the Police Order 2002 and Local Government Ordinance 2001 during his regime.

Unfortunately a previous democratic government in 2011 reinstated the Police Act 1861 and provincial governments reverted to the commissionerate system of the colonial era again by amending substantively the Police Order 2002, Criminal Procedure Code, Local Government Ordinance 2001 and Land Revenue Act 1967. The Bureaucracy has always been espoused as an antagonistic actor for local government systems which does not allow them to exercise and enjoy the powers of Judiciary and Executive simultaneously. Rather they at all times wanted to encroach upon the powers of the subordinate Judiciary and gain control over the police, thus supporting the dynastic politics and keeping people away from the process of decision-making.

It was good that the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Government accepted, by notifying district public safety commissions and police complaint commissions, that the executive magistracy could not be reintroduced because it was a violation of Article 175 (3) of the Constitution which talks about separation of power.

Incumbent Legal Framework of Police Laws in the Provinces

According to Mr. Afzal Ali Shigri, a former Inspector General of Police, “Provincial Assembly can amend Police Order 2002 to meet any local and special requirements with the approval of the Prime Minister. No Provincial Assembly can change the substantive provisions of the Police Order 2002, as enshrined in Article 143 of the Constitution.”⁸

Petitions filed against the substantive changes and amendments in Police Order 2002, Criminal Procedure Code, Local Government Ordinance 2001 and Land Revenue Act 1967 in 2011, were rejected by Sindh High Court. Hence, held the amendments of Sindh Assembly in Police, Revenue and Local Governments Laws are legal and constitutional. Now the case is subjudice before Supreme Court of Pakistan in an appeal.  In Balochistan according to the judgment by the Baluchistan High Court the amendments in Criminal Procedure Code, declared as illegal, unconstitutional and against independence of Judiciary, enacted in 2010 by the Balochistan assembly for revival of executive magistracy. The powers delegated to conduct trail by the executive magistrates were rendered of no legal standing. Now both cases impugned amendments are in litigation before the Supreme Court of Pakistan.

Linchpin of Local government, revenue department and police organization

Without an independent Judiciary and lawful Executive we cannot have an operationally responsible, politically neutral and transparent police institution in the country. Moreover the public oversight mechanisms are the integral part of the democratic policing which then ensures the external accountability and cooperation of community with police. This accountability and cooperation between police and community can only be attained through the nexus of independent Judiciary, democratic local bodies and the police by keeping them distinct in their own legitimate, constitutional and democratic spheres and ultimately abstaining to nurture a democratic society.

Way forward for the Police Reforms in Pakistan

• More learning forums for the orientation of CSO groups should be conducted to build their capacities on the issue and generate synergies
• A concise, cohesive and comprehensive police reforms road map should be documented after having more meetings with experts on police reforms and PFDP representatives
• There could be a steering committee to lead the agenda of police reforms
• Follow up the appeals pending in Supreme Court about impugned amendments to the Police, Revenue, Criminal Procedure and Local Government Laws
• It is high time for implementation of the Law Reforms Ordinance 1972 as it stood in 1972 and only then could it provide the requisite separation of the Judiciary from the Executive  under the Constitution
• CSOs should support and use the Supreme Court of Pakistan’s verdict dated April 16, 2010 on District Public Safety Commissions to ensure police accountability
• Guidelines given by the Supreme Court in Karachi mass killing cases should also be used to depoliticize the police institution
• Meetings with like-minded legislators are a must, as ultimately they are the ones to enact/amend and implement laws
• Awareness-raising through different means can also be used to create alternative discourse on police reforms as a priority public policy agenda i.e. through brochures, newspapers supplements, seminars, dialogues, walks/protests and other ways.

NIPSA Secretariat Address: B-117, Ist Floor, Sarvodaya Enclave, New Delhi – 110017, India

Telephones: +(91)(11) 43180200; Fax: +(91)(11) 26864688

Email:  nipsasecretariat@nipsa.in

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Supported by   Friedrich Naumann Stiftung für die Freiheit

Credits

Editor:  Vivek Trivedi

Technical Direction:  Ranjan Kumar Singh

CHRI is pleased to announce the release of its latest South Asia report titled Building Bridges: Experiments with Community Policing in South Asia. The concept of community policing has become a key element in the transformation of police forces and the flagship approach to reform across the world. In Commonwealth South Asia, the concept has been slow to catch on. Despite deep public distrust of the police in the region, there are many gaps in the way the concept is understood and practised. This report is a first attempt at documenting some of such initiatives. A brief history of community policing is provided followed by an assessment of recent and ongoing efforts at introducing community policing. The report concludes with a set of recommendations on ways in which the concept can be better incorporated into policing.

[Read More]

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Missing the mark

RECENT NEWS

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Till date public perceives the police as a body that exists in order to protect the system and as an instrument of the state rather than the people. They consider the force to be
inefficient, slow and secretive – made up of individuals lacking necessary education and training. Clearly reform
has not moved beyond the rhetoric.

Through this booklet CHRI analyses the recommendations made in the last three decades and puts them in context for today’s India.

Click Here For More Details

Click Here For More Details

CHRI has been monitoring the behaviour of Commonwealth countries at the UN Human Rights Council since the Council’s inception in 2006. The Easier Said than Done reports, of which there are now three (covering the Council from its inception in 2006 to mid-2010), measure the compliance of Commonwealth members of the UN Human Rights Council with their domestic and international human rights obligations.

This edition of the report summarises and analyses the human rights performance of 12 Commonwealth members of the Council from mid-2008 till mid-2010 at the Council, in the wider UN human rights machinery and in the domestic sphere.

What is the main focal point of the reports?

The focus of the Easier Said than Done reports is the pre-election pledge made by each country before its election to the Council. These pledges include commitments to promote and protect human rights internationally, domestically and, specifically, at the Council. The reports analyse the extent to which Commonwealth members of the Council comply with their pre-election pledges.

Click Here For More Details

The commonwealth Human Rights initiatives (CHRI) has monitored the working of police Complaints Authorities since they were first established in 2007. This is CHRI`s second
national-level report on the Authorities, following our first report in 2009. This report seeks to give a glimpse of the experiences of complaints who have gone through an Authority`s inquiry process, to assess if they are satisfied that the Authorities are working as the robust independent oversight mechanisms the Supreme Court intended them to. Direct interviews were carried out with a small sample of complainants in two states with well-established
Police Complaints Authorities-Goa And Uttarakhand. This primary data forms the basis of the report`s focus and recommendations. In addition, this report and discusses the serious nature of police misconduct which people complain against. The most common complaints involve some of the most serious human rights violations and abuses of police power, including torture, illegal arrest and detention,non-registration of complaints, registration of false cases, extortion and harassment.

It is clear that police misconduct continues and is een on the rise in some states in spite of the existence of Police Complaints Authorities. By and large, complaints are dissatisfied with the Authorities`s responses and are fast losing faith in them. Complainants are of the view that the Authorities fail them through overly bureaucratic and legalistic procedures, endemic delay in completing inquires, high costs and an unwillingness to exercise punitive action against police, and an absence of independent investigative capacity or sufficient powers to
compel compliance to their orders. Authorities have not developed into the independent mechanisms of redress that they were designed Tobe. and public trust is virtually lost. The Complaints Authorities and the police. It is crucial that all these stakeholders recognize and play their role in empowering their Authorities, which is now too urgent to delay.

Click Here For More Details