Association for Protection of Democratic Rights
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| Abbreviation | APDR |
|---|---|
| Formation | 1972 |
| Founders | Civil rights activists in West Bengal |
| Type | Non-governmental organisation |
| Legal status | Active |
| Purpose | Human rights advocacy, civil liberties protection |
| Headquarters | 18, Madan Baral Lane, Kolkata, West Bengal, India |
Region served | India |
| Website | www.apdrwb.in |
The Association for Protection of Democratic Rights (APDR) is one of the oldest human rights organisations in India, founded in 1972 in West Bengal. The organisation focuses on civil liberties, democratic rights, political prisoners, and state accountability, especially in contexts of custodial deaths, police brutality, and repression under anti-terror laws.
History
[edit]APDR was founded in the political context of the early 1970s, marked by the Naxalite movement and heavy state repression in West Bengal. The organisation's first public declaration was released on 9 September 1972.[1]
During the Indian Emergency (1975–77), APDR was banned and its literature destroyed. Several activists were arrested.[2]
Objectives and activities
[edit]APDR documents cases of:
- illegal arrests and detentions,
- custodial torture and deaths,
- extra-judicial killings,
- denial of rights to political prisoners,
- misuse of laws like UAPA, NSA, AFSPA, and TADA.[1]
It has conducted several public fact-finding reports and protests, including:
- the Archana Guha torture case (1977),[3]
- the Rizwanur Rahman custodial death case (2007),[4]
- and the Bhikhari Paswan incident (1993).[5]
Legal action
[edit]APDR filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in the 1990s against the felling of 4,000 trees on Jessore Road, which led to a landmark judgment on environmental protection.[6]
Campaigns
[edit]In recent years, APDR has opposed:
- the National Register of Citizens (NRC) and Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA),[7]
- the arrest of activists under UAPA,[8]
- and the treatment of tribal villagers in Bastar and Jangalmahal.[9]
Controversies
[edit]In 2003, police alleged APDR’s links with Maoist groups, which the organisation denied, asserting its non-partisan rights-based stance.[10]
In 2004, APDR workers in Jangipara, Hooghly, were attacked by ruling CPI(M) members.[11]
Structure
[edit]APDR operates through local branches across West Bengal, with its central office in Kolkata. It collaborates with:
- People's Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL),
- Committee for Protection of Democratic Rights (CPDR),
- Organisation for Protection of Democratic Rights (OPDR),
- Amnesty International, and others.[2]
Publications
[edit]APDR publishes pamphlets, reports, and books on issues like:
- **Political Prisoners in India**
- **Custodial Deaths in West Bengal**
- **Human Rights and Armed Forces**
Legacy
[edit]APDR has played a foundational role in the civil liberties movement in India. Its model inspired other organisations like:
- PUCL (1976),
- Andhra Pradesh Civil Liberties Committee (1973),[12]
- and Jharkhand Organisation for Human Rights.[13]
See also
[edit]- People's Union for Civil Liberties
- Committee for Protection of Democratic Rights
- Civil liberties in India
- Custodial deaths in India
References
[edit]- ^ a b Majumder, Sukla (13 September 2022). "Fifty Years of APDR: How the Civil Liberties Movement Took Shape in India". The Wire. Retrieved 8 July 2025.
- ^ a b "APDR@50 – An Epic Journey (Part 3)". Groundxero. Retrieved 8 July 2025.
- ^ "Archana Guha's story still haunts civil society". The Times of India. 16 December 2018. Retrieved 8 July 2025.
- ^ "Activists demand CBI probe in Rizwanur case". Outlook India. 28 September 2007. Retrieved 8 July 2025.
- ^ "People's Movement in India - Bhikhari Paswan case". Retrieved 8 July 2025.
- ^ "APDR v State of West Bengal". Retrieved 8 July 2025.
- ^ "Massive anti-CAA rally in Kolkata". The Telegraph. Retrieved 8 July 2025.
- ^ "APDR demands withdrawal of UAPA cases against Arundhati Roy". APDR Official. Retrieved 8 July 2025.
- ^ "Fact-finding team slams Bastar crackdown". Hindustan Times. 20 August 2015. Retrieved 8 July 2025.
- ^ "APDR has links with Naxals: Police". The Times of India. 15 January 2003. Retrieved 8 July 2025.
- ^ "India: Physical attack on APDR activists". FIDH. Retrieved 8 July 2025.
- ^ Banerjee, S.G. (1983). "Civil Rights Movements in India". Economic and Political Weekly. 18 (5): 174–180.
- ^ "Human Rights Groups in India". Retrieved 8 July 2025.