The Human Rights Watch has reportedly said that Indian government's inability to protect women and children from sexual violence and rape undermines its commitment to uphold the rights of all Indians.
HRW in its World Report 2014 noted that Indian authorities also failed to enforce laws that protect vulnerable communities including Dalits, religious minorities, and tribal groups, while the government's efforts to increase mass surveillance raised concerns over rights to privacy and free speech.
South Asia director at Human Rights Watch, Meenakshi Ganguly said that international attention to sexual attacks in India led to a new law, but should have spurred the government towards systemic changes to make real progress on this issue.
Ganguly stressed that the government has also failed to keep its promises of reforms to create a responsive police force, and to repeal laws that protect the armed forces from prosecution.
HRW said that India has strong legislation to protect rights, but entrenched corruption and lack of accountability foster human rights violations.
In April, India rolled out a Central Monitoring System for all phone and Internet communications, which rights groups fear could lead to abuse in the absence of adequate oversight or safeguards for the right to privacy.
Ganguly said that India's aspirations to play a more powerful role in world affairs wouldn't be taken seriously so long as it shuns efforts to promote human rights abroad and at home.
