Paranoia about human rights activists a sign of present regime’s continuing insecurity

It would have been appropriate if the present Vice Chancellor of the National Law University, Delhi, having given short shrift to academic

independence, being part of the Union government’s delegation, had proffered advice on the interplay between domestic and international law domestically and in the comity of nations to his head of delegation.

Mehta in his remarks was referring to the pointed and excellent recommendations of Germany, Greece, The Holy See, Ireland, Italy, Republic of Korea, Luxembourg, Slovakia, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, the U.S.A., Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Estonia, the Czech Republic, and many others.

As per a quick count, 29 countries called on India to ratify the UN Convention on Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment and its Optional Protocol, in their individual statements.