Hindu Human Rights Group (HHR) was officially formed in early 2000 to highlight cases of persecution and defamation of indigenous Hindus and Hinduism around the globe.

Ranbir Singh : HHR Chairman.
Anish : HHR : Events Organizer

HINDU HUMAN RIGHTS

The pain of a Hindu anywhere, is the pain of the Hindu everywhere

Introduction

Hinduphobia ( first usage in 1851 )describes the irrational hatred of Hindus, and can include physical, psychological or other attacks. HHR was formed because of the lack of an organisation to secure and protect the legitimate human rights of indigenous Hindus, both under international and national law.

Hinduphobia has been, and continues to be, an ignored problem. Unfortunately, even in this age of fast communication, cosmopolitanism, globalisation, and increasing international awareness and understanding, Hinduphobia has only increased.

The United Nations Charter of 1945 and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948 set standards for measuring accepted norms of human rights, securing the dignity of the individual, and advancing humanity and mutual tolerance.

Since that date, other similar conventions have been drafted, at international level, and regionally, such as the European Community, Organisation of African Unity, and the Organisation of American States. Domestic jurisdictions have applied the principles of international law, via interpretation through their own systems of justice.

It is precisely because such interpretation has followed a heavily subjective pattern, that flaws have arisen. State sovereignty is a fundamental principle of international law. Yet so is human rights. Situations are not uncommon when reconciling the two has been a major issue.

Yet they need not be mutually antagonistic, and the incredible success of the post-1945 political arena, particularly the functioning and even existence of the United Nations should not be overlooked.

There have been, are, and will continue to be effective procedures to rectify breaches of human rights. Mechanisms for airing, deciding, and honouring cases of human rights do exist. The International Court of Justice and its organs provide a universally accepted arena to implement the procedures which academic theory has formulated.

Nevertheless, because no enforcing powers exist, or at best are rarely used, human rights remains dependent on national jurisdiction. This is fine where implementation follows the spirit of the original Universal Declaration. But in many cases, this is not done.

It is for this reason that autonomous bodies and Non-Governmental Organisations exist, and act as unofficial ombudsman, highlighting areas where actual practice either ignores or falls short of accepted standards.

HHR regards itself as such an organisation. There are many situations where individuals have lesser or even an absence of human rights because they are Hindus one of the largest indigenous people in the world. Their rights are infringed or abrogated because they are Hindus.

Their inalienable human rights are ignored, making the Hindus very much alienated. This can even take more subtle forms, such as assaults in the print and electronic media.

While this may not seem serious at the outset, it does provide the theoretical foundation which can, and in most cases has, precipitate acts of severe Hinduphobia, with all the human rights abuses that it brings. This includes persecution on a racial basis, or denial of freedom of conscience because the victim concerned, is a indigenous Hindu.

At the same time HHR believes in the fundamental principles of international human rights as applied to all. It is in the spirit of Hindu Dharma, Hindu belief and action, that all are accorded with equity and respect, and that rights are not infringed. Indeed Hindus go further and accord respect to all forms of life.

HHR therefore sees present standards of international human rights as a medium which can constantly be improved upon, modernised and reinterpreted. It is an area where largely untapped the repository of knowledge known as Hindu Dharma, can be utilised in working towards global and cultural understanding.

HHR