Press Release Campaigners demand government action on epidemic of caste-based sexual violence in Uttar Pradesh
*Over 75 human rights organisations sign open letter to Uttar Pradesh’s
Chief Minister over failure to protect Dalit women and girls from
caste-based sexual violence*
Dear Chief Minister,
We, the undersigned human rights organizations and civil society partners,
work to defend the rights of women and girls and ensure justice for victims
and survivors of sexual violence.
We are writing to express our serious concern at the rising number of grave
incidents of rape and caste-based sexual violence in Uttar Pradesh (U.P.)
over the last few months. The horrific crime of gangrape and physical
attack committed in Hathras on 14 September 2020, resulting in the death of
a young Dalit woman on 29 September has shaken the conscience of the nation
and lead to widespread outrage.
Worryingly, the Hathras gangrape incident is one of many recent atrocities
of rape, gangrape and murder committed against Dalit women and girls in
U.P., with Lakhimpur Kheri district registering at least six such cases in
the last 60 days. Most recently, on 30 September, another 22-year-old Dalit
woman was raped and murdered in Balrampur district. There are numerous
other cases which demonstrate the endemic of sexual violence and
caste-based atrocities in U.P., where deep-rooted casteism prevails.
2019 data from the National Crimes Records Bureau shows that ten Dalit
women are raped every day in India. U.P. has the highest number of cases of
violence against women (59,853) as well as the highest number of cases of
sexual assault against girls registered under the Protection of Children
from Sexual Offences Act. U.P. also registered the highest number of cases
of atrocities against Scheduled Caste persons under the Scheduled Castes
and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act [SC & ST (PoA) Act],
with 11,829 cases.
Despite the serious and brutal nature of these crimes, multiple reports say
that U.P. Police have not properly fulfilled their duties and have
responded in a careless and discriminatory manner. We would like you to
initiate an urgent enquiry into these allegations.
In the Hathras gangrape case, the family of the victim has alleged that
nobody was arrested for ten days after the FIR was filed. The U.P. Police
have reportedly made claims to the media that it is not confirmed the
victim was subjected to multiple rapes. This is extremely concerning given
the family maintains that police insisted on the forcible cremation of the
victim’s body at around 3am on the night of 30 September, against the
family’s wishes and they were not allowed to attend.
In numerous other cases across U.P., rape survivors and families of victims
report struggling to get FIRs registered by the police in rape cases, to
get cases additionally registered under the SC & ST (PoA) Act, and to
obtain police protection to ensure their safety from attacks and reprisals
by dominant caste community members and associates of the accused.
Sexual violence survivors and victim’s families face extreme social and
community pressure to compromise cases, particularly where the rape is
caste-based and committed by a dominant caste perpetrator. Provision of
adequate support services to survivors/victims, including police
protection, good quality shelter homes, the speedy release of victim’s
compensation, and counselling and other rehabilitation services would go a
long way in shielding survivors/victims and families from pressure to
compromise.
The rising number of rape cases in U.P. is also caused by the culture of
impunity which is enjoyed by rapists and perpetrators of caste-based
atrocities, particularly those from dominant caste communities such as the
Thakurs.
Though a Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been set up by you for
investigating the Hathras gangrape case, it is not sufficient to only take
special measures in a few cases in response to widespread media coverage
and public pressure. Systemic changes and reforms are required across U.P.s
entire criminal justice system to ensure speedy justice in all such cases.
Police accountability needs to go beyond merely transferring officers who
are found to be negligent in handling cases as an appeasement measure.
Measures must show zero tolerance for any misconduct to deter similar
future behaviour and hold perpetrators fully to account.
We urge the U.P. state government to take the following measures:
– The Hathras gangrape case must be fast-tracked so justice is not delayed
or impeded. Speedy trials should take place in all such cases.
– Strict action, including thorough filing of criminal cases under section
4 of the SC & ST (PoA) Act and section 166-A of the Code of Criminal
Procedure, and taking disciplinary action against police officers who
refuse to register FIRs, tamper with evidence, push survivors or their
families to compromise, or in any way obstruct justice in sexual violence
cases, must be taken. Action must go beyond suspending or transferring
officers. Systemic reform is needed, including police sensitization and
training, and implementation of all recommendations in the 2013 Justice J.S
Verma Committee’s report regarding police reforms.
– Immediate protection to survivors/victims and their families in sexual
violence cases must be provided, including for the family in the Hathras
gangrape case. We also urge the U.P. Government to comply with Supreme
Court directions and provisions of the Witness Protection Scheme, 2018,
including implementing a witness protection scheme in U.P., establishing a
Witness Protection Fund, and providing security cover for all victims and
witnesses who have received threats or asked for protection during the
investigation/trial of complaints of sexual violence.
– Impunity at all levels must be addressed to send a clear message that
sexual violence and accompanying violence meant to silence or intimidate
survivors or their families will not be tolerated, irrespective of the
class, caste or community the accused belongs to.
– Existing laws on sexual violence must be effectively enforced and
implemented and adequate resources allocated to combat sexual violence.
– Compensation, psycho-social support, medical care and other relief and
rehabilitation services must be provided to all survivors or victim’s
families.
We urge you to do everything in your power to send a strong message that
sexual violence will not be tolerated irrespective of which community the
victim belongs to.
Regards,
Organizational Signatories:
1. Dalit Human Rights Defenders Network (DHRDNet)
2. WAYVE Foundation
3. Equality Now
4. All India People’s Forum
5. Anandi-India
6. ANHAD
7. Anyay Nivaran Nirmulan Seva Samiti
8. Apne Aap Women Worldwide India Trust
9. Arisa
10. Bebaak Collective
11. Bharatiya Muslim Mahila Andolan (BMMA)
12. Buniyaad, Ahmedabad
13. CEHAT
14. Dalit Vikas Parishad
15. Eva Foundation
16. EVIDENCE
17. Feminists in Resistance
18. Food Sovereignty Alliance, India
19. Forum Against Oppression of Women
20. Forum for Justice and Peace
21. Gamana Mahila Samuha
22. Green Madcaps
23. Human Rights Centre for Advocacy, Research & Education (HuRiCARE)
24. Humsafar support centre for women Lucknow
25. Indian Christian Women’s Movement
26. Indian Women Theologians’ Forum
27. International Dalit Solidarity Network (IDSN)
28. Jivan Dhara,
29. Jubeda Ajij Attar
30. Jyothi Jeevapoorna Trust- Archana Women’s Center
31. LABIA – A Queer Feminist LBT Collective
32. Maitree
33. Manuski Trust
34. MN350
35. Nagari Hakka Suraksha Samitee
36. National Alliance of People’s Movement NAPM
37. National campaign on Dalit Human Rights- DAAA
38. Navjyoti Center, Surkhet, Nepal
39. Nazariya jath
40. Nazariya miraj
41. NDCW-National Dalit Christian Watch.
42. Olakh
43. One Future Collective
44. P.B.V.M
45. Parcham Collective
46. People’s Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL)
47. Platform for Social Justice
48. Platform for social justice
49. Pochabhai Foundation
50. Prayas
51. Public Bolti
52. Radha Paudel Foundation
53. Redefy West Bengal
54. Rivesha
55. RTE Forum, Maharashtra
56. Rural and Urban Women’s Association (RUWA)
57. Sachetana
58. SAHAJ
59. Saheli, Delhi
60. Samanvaya
61. Sampada Gramin mahila sangram sanshta.sangli
62. Sampada Gramin Mahila Sanstha
63. Sanchaya Nele
64. Sangram Sanstha
65. Shramajivi Mahila Samity
66. Sisters of Charity Federation
67. Sisters of Charity of Nazareth
68. Swayam
69. TASHI”Building Bridges with Many worlds
70. The Blue Dawn
71. TORANG TRUST INDIGENOUS WOMEN INDIA NETWORK
72. Utthan
73. Vidhrohi Mahila Manch
74. Wada Na Todo Abhiyan
75. Women’s Welfare Center, Pune
76. Youth Against Injustice Foundation
77. वर्षा गुप्ते विश्वस्त समाजवादी महिला सभा महाराष्ट्र
78. विधायक संसद
In addition to the organizations listed below, this letter has also been
signed by over 2100 concerned citizens.
*Notes to editors:*
For media requests please contact Manjula Pradeep, Director of Campaigns,
Dalit Human Rights Defenders Network and Founder, WAYVE Foundation
http://www.wayve.net.in/
Email: manjula.hp@gmail.com
Phone number: +91 98985 15090
