Lawyers Collective
Since its establishment in 1981 the Lawyers Collective has been actively involved in human rights litigation and advocacy for the rights of the most vulnerable and marginalised members of Indian society, such as women, children and workers from the informal sectors of the economy. Indira Jaising and Anand Grover, the founders, have provided legal assistance to human rights defender Ms Teesta Setalvad in an FCRA violation case against Sabrang Trust and Citizens for Justice and Peace, both of which she runs. Both Indira Jaising and Anand Grover were previously actively engaged with the United Nations (UN) system, serving as a member of the UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women and the UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Health respectively.
Human rights defenders in India face a diverse range of attacks and harassment for their wor defending the rights of others, including killings, torture, ill-treatment, enforced disappearance, arbitrary detention, smear campaigns, and judicial harassment. People defending the rights of marginalised communities are targeted by state and non-state actors alike. Armed groups and private companies also target HRDs and community leaders for work related to economic development projects and their impact on the local communities or the environment. HRDs have also been labelled as "insurgents" or “Naxalites” (Maoists), in an attempt to discredit their work and justify their targeting.
