Colin Gonsalves

Colin Gonsalves
Born (1952-05-24) 24 May 1952 (age 72)
NationalityIndian
Alma materIIT Bombay (BTech)
University of Mumbai (LLB)
Occupation(s)Senior advocate, Supreme Court of India
Known forFounder, Human Rights Law Network
Co-Convenor, Indian People's Tribunal
Member of the Expert Group, appointed to draft the Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights 2006
AwardsRight Livelihood Award

Colin Gonsalves is a designated Senior Advocate of the Supreme Court of India and the founder of Human Rights Law Network (HRLN). He specializes in human rights protection, labour law and public interest law. He has been awarded Right Livelihood Award for the year 2017 for "his tireless and innovative use of public interest litigation over three decades to secure fundamental human rights for India’s most marginalised and vulnerable citizens."[1] Considered a pioneer in the field of public interest litigation in India,[2] he has brought several cases dealing with economic, social and cultural rights. Most of these cases, decided by the Supreme Court, have been set as precedents.[3]

Since co-founding HRLN in 1989, Colin Gonsalves and his colleagues have built the organization into India's leading public interest law group, working at the intersection of law, advocacy and policy.[4][5] He also co-developed the Indian People's Tribunal (IPT), an independent organization headed by retired Supreme Court and High Court judges to investigate human rights violations. Fact-findings presented at the IPTs have spurred public interest litigation, formed social movements and led to concrete policy changes.[6]

Colin Gonsalves has written, edited and co-edited numerous articles and books on a range of human rights law issues.[7]

  1. ^ "Colin Gonzales, the Right Livelihood Award".
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference :0 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference :1 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ "Gender Justice and Criminal Law Reform Conference Participants | South Asia Institute". South Asia Institute. Retrieved 19 September 2017.
  5. ^ "Human Rights and Courts | NALSAR UNIVERSITY OF LAW". www.nalsar.ac.in. Retrieved 19 September 2017.
  6. ^ "Fake encounters: Panel to collect data, move SC". Tribune India. 2 April 2017.
  7. ^ "Advisory board - ECCHR - EUROPEAN CENTER FOR CONSTITUTIONAL AND HUMAN RIGHTS (en)". www.ecchr.eu. Retrieved 19 September 2017.