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India cabinet approves anti-torture bill

By Bernard Hibbitts (editor) and University of Pittsburgh School of Law students.

[JURIST] The Cabinet of India has approved the Prevention of Torture Bill in an effort to move closer to international human rights standards. The bill, which experienced long delays before being passed last week, will now be introduced to the Indian Parliament. Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh strongly supports the bill in order to move the country closer to complying with the UN Convention Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment by expanding Indian law to define torture, among other things. India remains among the small number of nations that has not ratified the treaty. The bill was introduced more than a year before it was passed. Many Cabinet members feared political backlash, as the public strongly supports actions taken against terrorists. Despite the passing of the bill, human groups believe that India still has a long way to go to prevent torture in the country. Last month, an Indian court heard closing arguments in the trial of Mohammed Ajmal Kasab, accused of participating in the November 2008 Mumbai terrorist attacks. Kasab claims that he confessed to the crimes in February 2009 after being tortured by police. In December, Kasab withdrew his confession in an Indian court, claiming he was tortured and framed by police. Kasab originally pleaded not guilty in May, but interrupted his trial in July to confess and change his plea to guilty.

Full post as published by JURIST - The Paper Chase on April 14, 2010 (boomark / email).