COVID 19
Prior to the announcement of the National Lockdown on the 25th of March 2020, a number of courts had shut down in response to the present pandemic of COVID 19. Furthermore Human Rights Law Network cancelled a number of Consultations and Meetings that were to be held in the during this period. As soon as the lockdown was announced it became clear that human rights was a major concern that had to be dealt with, with people below the poverty line not being able to access food security schemes, women and lactating mothers not being able to access schemes for their reproductive health, migrant labourers being treated like dirt, the number of human rights violations that came to the forefront were very many.
Initially the courts seemed inapproachable, with lawyers and affected people attempting to figure out how the would issues be raised in court and conducting proceedings through video conferencing. Slowly but steadily HRLN lawyers started filing cases in court beginning with one of the cases of providing relief to persons in prisons to migrant labourers to tackling a number of issues.
There are a number of PILs that were filed by HRLN in the Supreme Court as well as various High Courts around the country:
Slideshow - PIL's and Cases
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What HRLN Does
Parallelly being socially conscious individuals lawyers and social activists realized the importance of giving direct aid to persons, lawyers and activists were involved in distribution of dry ration and grains, distribution of masks and sanitizers and in a number of places distribution of cooked food for those who were in urgent need of food. Through the network and through various partners, HRLN covered various marginalized populations including PLHIV, Transgender Persons, persons living in slums, migrant labourers among a range of people across the country
Main Concerns
Solidarity
HRLN supports SARJAI Statement: SRHR during Covid-19- for wider circulation
Government Response to COVID 19 - Statewise Government Orders and Judicial Orders
Publication:
URBAN PLANNING RESPONSE IN MUMBAI DURING THE COVID-19 LOCKDOWN
HRLN Impact
HRLN Lawyers and activists have been providing assistance, in terms of financial and other kinds of assistance through their own pockets and through partnering with organisations. It would be extremely helpful if you could donate any sum of money for the work that HRLN is doing. Every sum countrs.
