[JURIST] The Cabinet of India has approved the Prevention of Torture Bill [text, PDF] in an effort to move closer to international human rights standards. The bill, which experienced long delays before being passed [Times of India report] last week, will now be introduced to the Indian Parliament [official website]. Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh[official website] 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 [text, PDF] 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 [Globe and Mail report] that India still has a long way to go to prevent torture in the country.
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