The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) wishes to express its deep concern to the injured victims and the families of those who lost their lives in the bomb blasts in Mumbai, India on July 11, 2006. While the AHRC is shocked by the scale and brutality of the attacks, which targeted innocent citizens, it is also concerned about the internal security situation in India. The blasts have killed at least 190 innocent persons and injured many more. Given the logistical difficulties, the AHRC appreciates the response of the law enforcement agencies and medical services, which acted to assist the injured and to maintain order under difficult circumstances. The AHRC calls for a thorough and independent investigation into the incident.
The security of citizens is the exclusive responsibility of the state. However, ensuring it must not come at the expense of fundamental rights and personal freedoms. The AHRC hopes that the Government of India will take all precautions not to accuse selected communities on the basis of speculations or preconceived notions, or to turn a blind eye to discrimination against such communities within India as the result of the attacks. The most effective way to ensure that tensions between communities or discrimination of groups following the attacks are avoided is through the impartial, effective and transparent investigation of this grave incident.
Gathering evidence and statements of witnesses is of prime importance for an impartial and effective investigation into this incident. Such a process would have been easy had the law enforcement agencies and the entire justice dispensation system in India had the confidence of the public. Since this confidence is currently very low, the Government will have to make extra efforts to encourage witnesses to give statements.
In absence of a law and provisions to guarantee the safety of the witnesses, the Government must also take immediate adequate steps to provide for this. Obviously, this will involve the government reaching out to the victims and their families and the investigating agencies showing care and concern to those who are willing to depose. The Government of India must also make sure that adequate and prompt compensation is made available to the victims and ensure that the injured receive the best possible medical treatment.
This is a time when the Government of India needs support and encouragement. The AHRC calls upon the Government of India to handle the issue promptly and to investigate with care, caution, transparency and impartiality, while avoiding the curtailment of the fundamental rights of particular groups or citizens.
