State Level Meeting on Violation of Human Rights in West Bengal During Covid 19
Prior to the
announcement of the National Lockdown on 25 March 2020, a number of courts had
shut down in response to the present pandemic of COVID 19. Initially the courts
seemed unapproachable, with lawyers and affected people attempting to figure
out how the issues would be raised in court and conducting proceedings through
video conferencing. Slowly but steadily SLIC 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.
At this backdrop, the Kolkata unit of SLIC scheduled for a physical meeting, following strict government guidelines to social distancing during the pandemic, in Seva Kendra, Calcutta with the participation of all its network advocates and activists. The meeting saw a detailed two-day discussion of violation of human rights in the state and mapped out the possible legal aid, to create a justice delivery system that is accessible and accountable for the marginalized and oppressed, in the society.