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Key Text 'We Have No Orders To Save You': State Participation and Complicity in Communal Violence in Gujarat

Author: Human Rights Watch
Date: 2002
Size: 68 pages (259 KB)

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Summary

Communal violence rose in the state of Gujarat following the torching of two train cars carrying Hindu activists in February 2002. This report from Human Rights Watch overviews the fervent attacks, analyses the context of growing Hindu nationalism and state participation in violence, and provides recommendations to local and international powers to restore security and stability in the region.

Most of the victims of violence in the region have been Muslims who form a minority group, although retaliatory attacks against Hindus have also been recorded. Forms of violence perpetrated have included massacres, violence against women and girls, looting and destruction of places of worship. An estimated 98,000 people, the majority of whom are Muslims, have been internally displaced by the violence and placed into basic relief camps. The camps lack security and are places of further discrimination in terms of the distribution of assistance to Muslims.

The communal violence in Gujarat is intimately connected to a rise in Hindu nationalism in the country and the state that has resulted in previous attacks on minority groups. Evidence shows that the violence has been well planned and organised with extensive police participation and in close cooperation with the state government. Other key findings include:

Impunity in the aftermath of violence. The state has been involved in extensive cover-up of the involvement of Hindu nationalist organisations in violent attacks and did not arrest any members of those organisations.
Role of the media. While the national press has been important in exposing the violence, some local Gujarati press have been involved in the inciting of violence and anti-minority sentiment.
Economic isolation of Muslims. Pamphlets calling for economic boycotts of goods and services proffered by Muslims have been distributed. Those wishing to return home from relief camps cannot do so because their employers have hired Hindus in their place.
Disregard for National Human Rights Commission. While the national commissions have condemned Gujarat’s government response to the violence and its aftermath, their authority has been challenged in the state High Court.
Both the State Government of Gujarat and the Government of India must prevent further attacks and end environment of impunity. All those involved in the attacks must be prosecuted and peace restored in the region.

Further recommendations to India’s donors and the international lending and humanitarian organisations include:

Requirement of the Indian government to prosecute those responsible for the violence in Gujarat, including state government and police officials. Demands for the relevant United Nations human rights experts and monitors should be encouraged.
Provision of funding for relief and rehabilitation assistance to those displaced by the violence. Further funding needs to be provided for preventative measures against communal violence, such as education programs.
Inclusion of anti-discrimination measures into development projects and their subsequent thorough implementation. The effects of proposed policies and programs on religious violence and discrimination should be investigated.
Assistance to state authorities should be conditioned on concrete actions to assist internally displaced persons. Both the assistance to return home as well as establishment of ongoing monitoring provisions to this end should be provided.
Maintenance of close contact between local and international human rights organisations. Information sharing and regular consultations should be developed.

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Source: Human Rights Watch, 2002, ‘“We Have No Orders To Save You”: State Participation and Complicity in Communal Violence in Gujarat’, Human Rights Watch report, 14, No 3, New York
Author: Human Rights Watch, http://www.hrw.org/