Goa

The Goa Unit has been functional since the year 2015, with the intention of providing legal services in the area of Human Rights. Goa being a small state, the intention was to make it a model state for upholding Human Rights.

The initial work carried out by the unit involved cases of Police Atrocities against arrested persons, prison reformation and prisoner rights cases and that has now evolved towards taking up matters pertaining to women’s rights, domestic violence, sexual harassment at workplace and degradation of the environment.

Main Concerns


1. Women's Rights: Domestic violence, sexual harassment at workplace and other offences of sexual nature.
2. Prisoner Rights :The condition of the Central Prison along with enforcement of rights of prisoners.
3. Police Accountability : Acts of violence against arrested persons, dereliction of duty by officers.
4. Environmental Protection : Illegal takeover of natural resources by corporations, organizations flouting environmental norms.

SLIC Impact

A petition before the Hon’ble High Court of Bombay at Goa at Panaji in relation to strategic planned violence against inmates by jail guards, resulted in various directions being issued by the High Court to ensure the safety of inmates as well as their dignity. The unit has litigated several cases of police atrocities before the State Police Complaints Authority (SPCA) and brought relief to the victims.

Environmental violations are on the rise in Goa and unit has filed several cases before the National Green Tribunal (NGT), Pune challenging companies that are responsible for the violations.