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INSAAF International was launched in 1999 and is based in Punjab, India.  Initial program and project work will concentrate on economic, social and political rights education, awareness and advocacy in Punjab, India, including women' rights. 

INSAAF International is a nonprofit, membership organisation, which does not subscribe to any  particular religious or political ideology and is not affiliated to any political party or religious sect. The head office of the organization is in Bathinda, Punjab.  INSAAF is also a member organization of global 'Citizen's Committee' on World Bank Bond Boycott.

Insaaf is based on the initiative of women in addressing the issues of human rights in general with special focus on women. Women face discrimination all over the world though the face and nature of discrimination may be different, so a common platform is needed for women internationally to discuss, share and address common problems, and fight together for better economic and social conditions. There is a need to learn from each other’s struggles.  Poor social and economic conditions have the worst effect on women and children. The situation is worse for women who have very limited access to family resources and health services, particularly those living in rural areas.

Objectives

To spread awareness about human rights, including economic and social rights. 

To address women’s rights as human rights.

To mobilize and motivate common people, especially women and youth, to take initiative in fighting for their rights.

To create awareness and mobilize public action against idebting policies of international financial institutions, which result in economic subjugation and loss of economic, political and social independence.

To involve people in demanding public debate about policies that affect their social and economic welfare before such policies are approved. 

To demand more transparency in all public expenditures and policy implementation, especially pertaining to women, health and economic and social welfare.

To combat discrimination and oppression based on religion, race, caste,sex or place of birth including untouchability, casteism and communalism. 

To do impact litigation in order to make exsisting laws more favourable to the social, political and economic welfare. And to do impact litigation that promote and protect human rights.

To secure recognition to the right to health, to live with dignity in particular and other fundamental rights in general.

To uphold and promote democratic way of life in India and else where.

 

Organizational Structure

INSAAF has a general body consisting of its members. It elects an executive committee, formed of a president, a General secretary, Treasurer and two members. All are volunteers.

All the members of the Insaaf International constitute General house. It looks after functioning and participate in the activities and decision making process of the association.  The issues are discussed in the general house and executive committee. The executive committee works on it in detail. In case of difficulty in deciding unanimously, it is reached by vote of majority.

 

Founder

A medical doctor by training, Dr. Gupta’s active involvement in human rights started as a volunteer in 1986 with the People’s Union for Civil Liberties.    As a human rights activist, Dr. Gupta investigated, reported and followed up on numerous cases of police torture & atrocities in Punjab.  She also investigated and reported on many cases of human rights violations, including rape and molestation of women.  In the last 14 years, she has been constantly struggling against corruption and malfunctioning of government institutions, especially in the health sector.   Due to her crusade against government corruption and atrocities, she faced threats to her life and was persecuted by implications in false cases.  After a prolonged legal battle, Dr. Gupta was able to get justice from the courts.  To continue her human rights activism with renewed passion and energy, she gave up her career as an outstanding Punjab Civil Medical Services Class I Officer.  

Her involvement in human rights for 14 years brought her face to face with the economic and social injustice that people, especially women, in India face daily.  Insaaf International was launched to provide a common forum to come together internationally and challenge economic and social marginalization.

Some of the cases that Dr. Gupta took up are given below:

Based on 14 years of work against police torture, Dr. Gupta brought an impact litigation suit against the

State of Punjab (Criminal Writ Petition No. 27 of 1997 D/d 29.4.1998) to ban third degree torture methods in police stations.  The judgement given in the case entitled, “Dr. Vineeta Gupta vs. State of Punjab”,  by the Honorable Justice R. L. Anand stated: “I dispose of this petition with directions to the respondents to ensue that no third degree methods should be adopted in the various police stations, CIA staff offices, police posts or such other places where a suspect or criminal can be detained or taken for the purpose of interrogation … Let the copy of this order be sent to the respondents for strict compliance and the state is further directed that the copy of this order be sent to all the heads of the police departments of the districts.   The directions of this court should also be complied with not only by the state of Punjab but also by the state of Haryana and Union Territory of Chandigarh.”

 Dr. Gupta investigated and reported police brutality on a poor, Dalit woman who was stripped and beaten by a police officer in Bathinda district.  As a result of Dr.  Gupta’s work, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) of India commended her services and a criminal case was brought against the accused parties.

Dr. Gupta has organized scores of mass protests and demonstrations against the police and government for custodial deaths and for not taking action against the perpetrators of dowry deaths. She succeeded, in many instances, in bringing criminal charges against the accused parties.

INSAAF INTERNATIONAL, Kishori Ram Hospital Building, Basant Vihar, Bathinda, Punjab, INDIA
Telephone: 91-164-215400; Fax: 91-164-214500; E-mail: vineetag@sancharnet.in.in