Association for Protection of Democratic Rights


The Association for Protection of Democratic Rights is one of the oldest human rights organisations in India, founded in 1972 in West Bengal. The organisation focuses on civil liberties, democratic rights, political prisoners, and state accountability, especially in contexts of custodial deaths, police brutality, and repression under anti-terror laws.
WWW apdrwb.in

History

APDR was founded in the political context of the early 1970s, marked by the Naxalite movement and heavy state repression in West Bengal. The organisation's first public declaration was released on 9 September 1972.
During the Indian Emergency, APDR was banned and its literature destroyed. Several activists were arrested.

Objectives and activities

APDR documents cases of:
It has conducted several public fact-finding reports and protests, including:
  • the Archana Guha torture case,
  • the Rizwanur Rahman custodial death case,
  • and the Bhikhari Paswan incident.

Legal action

APDR filed a Public Interest Litigation in the 1990s against the felling of 4,000 trees on Jessore Road, which led to a landmark judgment on environmental protection.

Campaigns

In recent years, APDR has opposed:

Controversies

In 2003, police alleged APDR’s links with Maoist groups, which the organisation denied, asserting its non-partisan rights-based stance.
In 2004, APDR workers in Jangipara, Hooghly, were attacked by ruling CPI members.

Structure

APDR operates through local branches across West Bengal, with its central office in Kolkata. It collaborates with:

Publications

APDR publishes pamphlets, reports, and books on issues like:
  • **Political Prisoners in India**
  • **Custodial Deaths in West Bengal**
  • **Human Rights and Armed Forces**

Legacy

APDR has played a foundational role in the civil liberties movement in India. Its model inspired other organisations like: