Guwahati, September 2 (NNN): With the fast rising cases of murdering RTI activists in the country, amendment in the Right to Information Act of 2005 has been sought by a prominent rights organisation. In the last couple of years cases of killing RTI activists or being attacked have been rampant. Given this situation, the Asian Centre for Human Rights (ACHR) has sought in the amendment of the Act in order to protect RTI activists from being attacked or killed.
The rights organisation in its report ‘RTI activists: Sitting ducks of India’ released here on Friday said that at least 12 RTI activists including Bhopal’s Shehla Masood have been murdered from January 2010 to August 2011 for seeking information to “promote transparency and accountability in the working of every public authority” of India.
“Even policeman seeking information could not escape death for seeking information under the RTI Act. On 25 July 2010, Uttar Pradesh Police home guard Babbu Singh was killed allegedly for seeking information about government funds and work done by his village pradhan (head) at Katghar village in Bahraich district. Many face serious physical assaults on regular basis. Those who seek information from their village panchayat and other local administration also face social ostracism,” said ACHR director Suhas Chakma.
Suhas Chakma stated, “RTI activists are the most vulnerable human rights defenders (HRDs) in India. Unlike other HRDs, a large majority of the RTI activists are not necessarily part of any organisation or group. They often act alone, moved by outrage against corruption and other illegal activities. RTI activists are extremely vulnerable as they live in the same areas as the corrupt public authorities, political leaders and mafia who do not want information about their illegal activities to be disclosed.”
The ACHR pointed out that when complaints are made by RTI activists, the law enforcement personnel, who are usually hand in glove with those threatening the RTI activists, do not take necessary action. The RTI Act provides no protection while the Central Information Commission and State Information Commissions are not mandated either to deal with such threats or attacks or to provide protection when needed.
The ACHR recommended to the Centre that the RTI Act be amended and a separate chapter on protection of those seeking information be incorporated. Among its suggestions was protection measures should include mandatory and immediate registration of complaint of threats, use of force or attacks against RTI activist as FIR and placing such FIR before the concerned magistrate/judge of the area within 24 hours for issuance of necessary directions for physical protection of those under threats or their family members, and review such protection measures from time to time.
The rights organisation in its report ‘RTI activists: Sitting ducks of India’ released here on Friday said that at least 12 RTI activists including Bhopal’s Shehla Masood have been murdered from January 2010 to August 2011 for seeking information to “promote transparency and accountability in the working of every public authority” of India.
“Even policeman seeking information could not escape death for seeking information under the RTI Act. On 25 July 2010, Uttar Pradesh Police home guard Babbu Singh was killed allegedly for seeking information about government funds and work done by his village pradhan (head) at Katghar village in Bahraich district. Many face serious physical assaults on regular basis. Those who seek information from their village panchayat and other local administration also face social ostracism,” said ACHR director Suhas Chakma.
Suhas Chakma stated, “RTI activists are the most vulnerable human rights defenders (HRDs) in India. Unlike other HRDs, a large majority of the RTI activists are not necessarily part of any organisation or group. They often act alone, moved by outrage against corruption and other illegal activities. RTI activists are extremely vulnerable as they live in the same areas as the corrupt public authorities, political leaders and mafia who do not want information about their illegal activities to be disclosed.”
The ACHR pointed out that when complaints are made by RTI activists, the law enforcement personnel, who are usually hand in glove with those threatening the RTI activists, do not take necessary action. The RTI Act provides no protection while the Central Information Commission and State Information Commissions are not mandated either to deal with such threats or attacks or to provide protection when needed.
The ACHR recommended to the Centre that the RTI Act be amended and a separate chapter on protection of those seeking information be incorporated. Among its suggestions was protection measures should include mandatory and immediate registration of complaint of threats, use of force or attacks against RTI activist as FIR and placing such FIR before the concerned magistrate/judge of the area within 24 hours for issuance of necessary directions for physical protection of those under threats or their family members, and review such protection measures from time to time.
