Harman23 at 07:04, 21 August 2024

2024-08-21T07:04:08Z

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{{Use Indian English|date=January 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2022}}
[[File:Lawyers collective logo.png|right]]

'''Lawyers Collective''' was a [[non-governmental organization]] in India which promotes human rights, especially on issues relating to [[women's rights]], [[HIV]], [[tobacco]], [[LGBT]] and parliamentary [[corruption in India]]. On 1 June 2016, Govt of India suspended the registration of the NGO under the [[Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010]] (FCRA) for alleged violation of FCRA norms.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.deccanherald.com/content/550013/no-more-foreign-funds-indira.html|title=No more foreign funds for Indira Jaising's NGO|date=2 June 2016|website=Deccan Herald|language=en|access-date=25 April 2019}}</ref> This revoking of the license was challenged in the [[Bombay High Court]] and the case is currently pending.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://thewire.in/rights/cbi-raids-on-jaising-grover-a-brute-show-of-intimidation-activists-academics|title=CBI Raids on Jaising, Grover a 'Brute Show of Intimidation': Activists, Academics|website=The Wire|access-date=12 July 2019}}</ref> The [[Central Bureau of Investigation]] filed a [[first information report]] on 13 June 2019 relating to charges of criminal conspiracy, criminal breach of trust, cheating, false statement made in declaration and various sections under the FCRA and [[Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://thewire.in/rights/cbi-raids-on-jaising-grover-a-brute-show-of-intimidation-activists-academics|title=CBI Raids on Jaising, Grover a 'Brute Show of Intimidation': Activists, Academics|website=The Wire|access-date=12 July 2019}}</ref>

==Founding==
Lawyers collective was founded in 1981.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.lawyerscollective.org/index.php |title=About |author= |date= |publisher=Lawyers Collective |accessdate=9 April 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110402221645/http://www.lawyerscollective.org/index.php |archive-date=2 April 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Among its founders were [[Indira Jaising]] and [[Anand Grover]].{{Citation needed|date=April 2011}}

==Access to medicines==
Lawyers Collective represented the Cancer Patients Aid Association in the landmark intellectual property case Novartis v. Union of India.,<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.lawyerscollective.org/access-to-medicine/atm-current-cases.html |title=Current Cases | Lawyers Collective |access-date=2 April 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130307122459/http://www.lawyerscollective.org/access-to-medicine/atm-current-cases.html |archive-date=7 March 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref> opposing Novartis' patent for Glivec, a life-saving leukemia drug. The case has generated global attention for its impact on [[access to medicines]] worldwide. On 1 April 2013, Novartis' patent was rejected by the Supreme Court of India

==HIV issues==
The Lawyers Collective has written a bill intended for debate in parliament regarding HIV / AIDS discrimination. The purpose of the proposed law is to prohibit discrimination against persons living with HIV. The proposal describes prohibition of discrimination in employment, healthcare, and education, and further prohibits hate and discriminatory propaganda. [[Anand Grover]] is the head of the Lawyers Collective HIV/ AIDS unit.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hindu.com/2006/02/05/stories/2006020504940300.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060427195607/http://www.hindu.com/2006/02/05/stories/2006020504940300.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=27 April 2006 |title=Lawyers Collective prepares a bill on HIV/AIDS |author=staff correspondent |date=5 February 2006 |work=[[The Hindu]] |publisher=[[The Hindu Group]] |accessdate=9 April 2011}}</ref>

==Decriminalization of homosexuality==
The Lawyers Collective works closely with the [[Naz Foundation (India) Trust|Naz Foundation]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nazindia.org/advocacy.htm|title=Advocacy|publisher=Naz Foundation|accessdate=9 April 2011|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://archive.today/20120630065247/http://www.nazindia.org/advocacy.htm|archivedate=30 June 2012}}</ref> and acted as their legal team in their lawsuit to repeal [[Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.legallyindia.com/2009070276/News/lawyers-collective-overturns-anti-gay-law |title=Lawyers Collective overturns anti-gay law |author=Kian Ganz |date=2 July 2009 |work=[[legallyindia.com]] |publisher= |accessdate=9 April 2011}}</ref>

==Women's rights==
In 2006 the Lawyers Collective received a grant from the [[United Nations Development Fund for Women]] to develop a project titled "Staying Alive – Empowerment through Law." The purpose of this project was to provide legal resources to promote women's rights in the Indian legal system.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.unifem.org/gender_issues/voices_from_the_field/story.php?StoryID=543 |title=India: Better Legal Options Equal More Justice for Women |author= |date=22 November 2006 |publisher=[[United Nations Development Fund for Women]] |accessdate=9 April 2011}}</ref>

==Suspension of FCRA registration==
On 1 June 2016, the Govt of India suspended the FCRA registration of the NGO for alleged violation of FCRA norms for 6 months pending further procedure. Lawyers Collective in a statement said that it intends to take the matter to the court. The funds received include Ford Foundation.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/indira-jaising-ngo-licence-suspended-fcra-home-ministry-tax-filings-2829436/ | title=Indira Jaising's NGO barred by MHA from receiving foreign funds for 6 months | date=2 June 2016 | newspaper=The Indian Express | accessdate=19 July 2019 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://barandbench.com/home-ministry-v-lawyers-collective-indira-jaisings-ngos-fcra-licence-suspended-jaising-challenge-order/|title=[Breaking]: Indira Jaising to challenge NGO's FCRA licence suspension|date=1 June 2016|website=Bar & Bench|access-date=13 August 2019}}</ref> The suspension of the FCRA license was then challenged in the [[Bombay High Court]]. The [[Central Bureau of Investigation]] filed a [[first information report]] on 13 June 2019 relating to charges of criminal conspiracy, criminal breach of trust, cheating, false statement made in declaration and various sections under the FCRA and Prevention of Corruption (PC) Act 1988. Various academics and activists claimed that this was an act of intimidation and harassment.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://thewire.in/rights/cbi-raids-on-jaising-grover-a-brute-show-of-intimidation-activists-academics|title=CBI Raids on Jaising, Grover a 'Brute Show of Intimidation': Activists, Academics|website=The Wire|access-date=12 July 2019}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*{{Official website|http://www.lawyerscollective.org/}}
*[http://www.lawyerscollective.org/files/Final%20HIV%20Bill%202007.pdf Draft law of 2007 HIV/AIDS Bill]

[[Category:Think tanks based in India]]
[[Category:Legal organisations based in India]]
[[Category:Women's organisations based in India]]

Lawyers Collective - Revision history

Harman23 at 07:04, 21 August 2024