-The United Nations   The United Nations tomorrow will mark World Hepatitis Day for the first time to bring attention to the disease that affects almost one in every three persons on Earth. “We know what needs to be done,” said Margaret Chan, Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO). “Viral hepatitis is one of the most prevalent and serious infectious diseases in the world. It deserves much more attention, understanding and...

The Supreme Court criticises the Chhattisgarh and Central governments and orders the disbanding of Salwa Judum. THE case Nandini Sundar vs State of Chhattisgarh arose out of a writ petition (civil) filed in 2007 in the Supreme Court by Nandini Sundar, a Professor of sociology at the Delhi School of Economics; Ramachandra Guha, a historian; and E.A.S. Sarma, former Secretary to Government of India and former Commissioner, Tribal Welfare, Government...

Right to Information activists across the state held a protest, on Sunday, against the rise in Attack on them and repeated attempts to weaken their movement. Activists also declared that they would soon form a union or association to ensure protection of those who have been fighting against corruption in the system using RTI. Organised by the NGO CRANTI (Citizens Resource and Actions Initiatives), the dharna was held at Sardarbaug in Lal...

Environmental protection within particular societies involves a complex balancing process and ordering of socio-economic priorities. In relation to other rights, where does an environmental right fit into a hierarchy of human rights and how should the conflicts with other human rights, such as right to property/ livelihood, be resolved? How to balance environmental protection with a general or collective right to economic development? Indian courts have proceeded by balancing interests and...

-The Indian Express   A number of RTI activists from Gujarat on Sunday resolved to form an association to address their issues in the wake of the rising number of Attacks on them. Around 50 RTI activists from , Surat, Kutiyana and Khambha organised a protest programme under the aegis of Citizens Resource and Actions Initiatives (CRANTI) near Lal Darjawa today. Among the participants were Bhikhu Jethava, father of RTI activist Amit Jethava,...