Acid attack survivors get legal training

New Delhi: A national meeting and legal training programme was held on the rights of acid attack survivors and implementation of the law focused on the training of the survivors so that they can seek justice in their own cases actively.

The two-day training witnessed participation of more than 100 people, among whom there were around 50 acid attack survivors from across the country.

“Part of the meeting was focussed on legal training of these survivors so they could seek justice on their own, while beginning to act as network points to promote further litigation among their contacts across the country,” according to a statement by Human Rights Law Network (HRLN), which organised the programme.

“Lawyers, law students and activists gave them knowledge and tips on subjects such as filing PILs in courts, getting the sale of acids banned, seeking more active police cooperation and enhanced compensation for the survivors,” it added.

The session was held from April 28-29 at the Jamia Hamdard University in the city. and was conducted in collaboration with Meer Foundation and Jamia Hamdard University.

HRLN founder and senior Supreme Court advocate Colin Gonsalves also addressed the audience and offered a background in HRLN’s battle against acid attacks over the past five years.

The aim of the meeting was to come up with an action plan that will be implemented over this year across the country.

“For instance, to act against the source of the problem, HRLN plans to file a Public Interest Litigation in the Supreme Court seeking increased regulation of sale of acids and corrosive substances to private citizens. We will also organize a protest march with acid attack survivors later this year. Other plans include getting seeking funds under CSR for the education of children who have suffered acid attacks,” it said.