Module 6: Obstacles to Human Rights and the Role of Advocacy Groups

Learning outcomes

• identify major obstacles to human rights in India;
• explain how corruption and abuse of executive power affect human rights;
• describe the role of advocacy groups, NGOs, media, and educational institutions in promoting human rights.

Start here: the simple idea

Even though laws and institutions exist, human rights are often violated because of social, economic, and political obstacles. Good governance, transparency, and active civil society are needed to overcome these obstacles.

Obstacles to human rights in India

Inequalities in society

Obstacle	Impact
Population pressure	Strain on resources, reduced per-capita access
Poverty	Inability to exercise basic rights (food, shelter, health, education)
Caste	Discrimination, exclusion of SC/ST and OBCs
Inaccessibility of legal redress	Poor cannot approach courts; lack of legal awareness
Illiteracy	Unable to know or claim rights

Abuse of executive power

• Corruption: Misallocation of resources meant for welfare; denial of entitlements.
• Nepotism and favouritism: Unequal access to jobs and services.
• Police brutality and custodial violence: Violations of right to life and liberty.

Good governance

Good governance = transparency, accountability, participation, rule of law, and responsiveness. Poor governance is a major cause of human rights violations.

Role of advocacy groups

Media

• Investigative journalism exposes violations.
• Creates public opinion and pressures authorities.

Lawyers and legal aid

• Provide free legal aid to the poor (Art 39A).
• File PILs on behalf of vulnerable groups.

Educational institutions

• Impart Human Rights Education (HRE).
• Create awareness among students and the community.

Corporate sector

• Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) contributes to welfare.
• Must respect human rights in operations and supply chains.

Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs)

• Work at the grassroots to empower vulnerable groups.
• Document violations and advocate for policy change.
• Complement government efforts.

Common mistakes

• Believing only the government is responsible for human rights (individuals and civil society also have roles).
• Confusing NGOs with government bodies (NGOs are independent).
• Thinking economic development automatically leads to human rights (it needs to be inclusive).

Memory rules

• Obstacles: population, poverty, caste, illiteracy, corruption, bad governance.
• Advocacy = media, lawyers, educational institutions, corporate, NGOs.
• Good governance = transparency + accountability + rule of law.

Check your understanding

1. Name two social obstacles to human rights in India.
2. How does corruption affect human rights?
3. What is the role of PIL in human rights enforcement?
4. Name two types of advocacy groups involved in human rights.
5. What is the link between good governance and human rights?

Answers

1. Poverty and caste (also population, illiteracy, gender inequality).
2. Corruption diverts resources meant for welfare, denying entitlements to the poor.
3. PIL allows any public-spirited person to approach the court for violation of rights, especially for those who cannot approach the court themselves.
4. Media and NGOs (also lawyers, educational institutions, corporate sector).
5. Good governance ensures transparency, accountability, and rule of law, which are essential for the realisation of human rights.

Quick revision box

• Obstacles: population, poverty, caste, illiteracy, corruption, abuse of power.
• Good governance = transparency + accountability + rule of law.
• Advocacy = media, lawyers/legal aid, educational institutions, corporate, NGOs.
• PIL = tool for public-spirited persons to seek justice for the vulnerable.
• Civil society + State = both responsible for human rights.