Asian Centre for Human Rights

ACHR was established in 2003 to implement human rights on the ground by securing justice and compensation for victims of violations and abuses; conduct research and advocacy at par with international human rights organizations; and contribute to the standard setting (enactment of laws) at national and international level. Since its establishment in 2003, ACHR has filed about 2,905 complaints of human rights violations in its name with the National Human Rights Commission of India and ACHR’s complaints led to the award of compensation of about US 2 million by the NHRC in 326 cases involving 654 victims. ACHR undertakes field research and investigation. It undertook for example joint field investigations with the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights. ACHR further served as a member of the Core Group of the National Human Rights Commission of India. ACHR has become the key research centre on rights and democracy issues. Its reports were published by reputed newspapers like The Telegraph and its views are sought international media. ACHR’s publications are referred to by various Governments. The UK Border Agency in its “OPERATIONAL GUIDANCE NOTE” extensively referred to the ACHR’s reports while the United States State Department regularly refers to ACHR in its Country Report on Human Rights Practices relating to India. ACHR was involved drafting of the Model Police Act of India and has been invited to depose before the Parliamentary Standing Committees of the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha on drafting of various laws with direct impact on human rights. ACHR regularly challenges constitutionality of laws violating human rights and ACHR’s petition in the Supreme Court led to the establishment of the Human Rights Courts in India. ACHR has been active at the Human Rights Council and has led the first submission of the Indian NGOs under the Universal Periodic Review in 2008. ACHR has been leading the Indian NGOs for engagement with the UN.