English  |  Français  |  Español
 
OMCT LogoOMCT logo
Make a donationRSSOMCT on FacebookOMCT on TwitterOMCT BlogHomeAbout OMCTActivitiesCATOMCT NetworkOMCT EuropeContactsMake a donation
  • Urgent campaigns
  • Assistance to victims
  • Human rights defenders
  • ESCR
  • Rights of the child
  • Violence against women
  • Monitoring protection mechanisms
 Save as PDF Print version
Human rights defenders / Statements / India / 2016 / December

India: Henri Tiphagne: Engage youth to combat injustice and discrimination

 

Geneva, 20 December 2016 (OMCT) - Henri Tiphagne’s commitment to human rights originates from his mother’s work with the poorest of the poor and the most excluded, at that time leprosy patients. His fight against injustice has since remained unwavering despite challenging times for human rights and their defenders.

 

As the founder and Executive Director of People’s Watch, the first organization dedicated to monitoring human rights violations by the State in India, Henri Tiphagne has been supporting victims of State violence and advocating relentlessly against torture and discrimination in India for more than 20 years.

 

The world’s largest democracy?

 

One of the greatest difficulties activists face in the world’s largest democracy “lies in the fact that State institutions that should be protecting human rights refuse to perform, particularly when it comes to the rights of the poor”, Mr. Tiphagne said.

 

A fervent advocate of the rule of law and democracy, he still believes in the key role of State institutions as the bulwark against violence that could be seen by some as the only way forward to achieve human rights. “State institutions must be strengthened and made to work”, Mr. Tiphagne stated. “Our work is to protect justice institutions, to protect the core of the Constitution and to protect the existence of national and State institutions”, with the hope they become more independent and accountable.

 

Stifling critical voices

 

In the past year, he and his organization have in turn come under increased pressure for holding the Government to account.

 

Like many other human rights organizations in India, People’s Watch can no longer receive foreign funding after the Ministry of Home Affairs decided in October 2016 not to renew its license under the Foreign Contributions (Regulations) Act (FCRA). Such a move seriously undermines the work of the organization on behalf of victims of State violence.

 

Inspired by others to keep up the fight

 

Despite challenges, Mr. Tiphagne remains optimistic. “My strength is drawn from successes I have seen across the world”, he said. “Fifteen years ago, poverty was not seen as a human rights violation, the right to development was not recognized as a right; ten years ago, the rights of LGBT people were not spoken of.” He sees these as good reasons for all human rights defenders across the world to keep hope for the future and stay strong.

 

Seeing that there are many others who dedicate their lives to human rights in all parts of the world, and too often giving them to the cause, inspires him to continue his work. “Their unfailing commitment has sown the seeds for a new generation of rights to grow”, Mr. Tiphagne said.

 

Mr. Tiphagne also draws inspiration, and pride in his work, from his engagement with the youth of his country so that they in turn stand up to uphold the rights of others. His organization actively supports human rights education with the aim to build a society free from human rights violations and discrimination.

 

“The greatest legacy that a human rights defender can, and should, leave behind is the education of a new generation,” he said. “I think the most precious thing that we can do as a human rights defender is to engage with and create a vanguard within the younger generation.”

 

This article is part of a series of 10 profiles to commemorate International Human Rights Day, 10 December, and to recognize the vital role of human rights defenders worldwide.

 

To see the campaign video, please click here.

 



OMCT wishes to thank the Republic and Canton of Geneva and the OAK Foundation for their support. Its content is the sole responsibility of OMCT and should in no way be interpreted as reflecting the view(s) of the supporting institutions.

 

Properties

Date: December 20, 2016
Activity: Human Rights Defenders
Type: Statements
Country: India
Subjects: Human Rights Defenders, Inequality, Justice system, Threats, intimidation and harassment

Share this

Tweet

Related articles

  • Azerbaijan:  Leyla Yunus: Defending human rights: A way of life
    Statements / December 23, 2016
  • Colombia:  Gustavo Gallón: Striving for peace, human rights and justice
    Statements / December 22, 2016
  • Philippines:  Rosemarie Trajano: Defending people’s rights is a risky job but someone’s got to do it
    Statements / December 19, 2016
  • Kenya:  Samwel Mohochi: A message to torturers and a lesson to society that violence is unjust
    Statements / December 16, 2016
  • Burundi:   Armel Niyongere: A duty to protect the voiceless in conflict-ridden Burundi, even in exile
    Statements / December 15, 2016
  • Mexico:  Stephanie Brewer: Holding the ground in the fight for justice to end a history of violence
    Statements / December 14, 2016
  • India:  Babloo Loitongbam: Fighting deep-rooted impunity and ethnically discriminatory laws
    Statements / December 13, 2016
  • Mexico:  Olga Guzmán: Breaking the human rights bubble for everyone to understand
    Statements / December 12, 2016
  • The world owes defenders, the heroes of human rights: Today OMCT’s Jilani
    Statements / December 9, 2016

Languages

This page is available in:

English


You can also translate it on the fly:

Recently Viewed Articles

OMCT International Secretariat
PO Box 21, 8, rue du Vieux-Billard, CH-1211 Geneva 8, Switzerland
Tel: + 41 22 809 4939
Fax: + 41 22 809 4929
E-mail:
OMCT Europe
Rue Franklin 111
1000 Brussels
Tel. / Fax: +32 2 218 37 19
E-mail:
OMCT TUNIS
3, Rue Hassen Ibn Nooman
Cité Jardins | Tunis 1002
Tel: +216 71 791 114
Fax: +216 71 791 115
E-mail:
  • Blog
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Rss
  • Privacy Policy