Civil Rights and Social Justice Society (CRSJS)
The Civil Rights and Social Justice Society (CRSJS) is a human rights NGO registered under the Travancore – Cochin, Literary, Scientific, and Charitable Societies Registration Act,1955 (Reg: No. T – 575 of 1997), with its headquarters in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala State, India. The promoters of CRSJS are reputed persons with a commitment to the cause of human rights in all spheres. However, the main focus area of CRSJS is the prevention of police atrocities, custodial torture, and the abolishment of the death penalty.
CRSJS regularly conducts awareness campaigns, seminars, and workshops to educate and empower citizens at the grassroots level and it aims to create a basic understanding amongst the citizens about their constitutional and legal rights. It also renders free legal aid and financial assistance (in deserving cases) to the victims of police atrocities in India and more particularly in Kerala state. CRSJS has taken up many a worthy cause on behalf of such victims with successful results.
The interventions made by CRSJS are kept strictly confidential in order to protect the identity of the victims and those who approach us for help can rest assured that their privacy is safe in our hands.
say no to the death penalty
CRSJS believes that the Capital Punishment is a sin against humanity and works relentlessly to abolish it in India and abroad. We are a member NGO of the World Coalition Against the Death Penalty (https://worldcoalition.org) a grouping of more than 197 member NGOs from across the world working as a team to abolish the death penalty. Every year since 2003, the World Coalition Against the Death Penalty has been observing 10th October as the WORLD DAY AGAINST THE DEATH PENALTY.
CRSJS – Dr. S Balaraman human rights defender award
The late Dr. S Balaraman, former acting Chairperson of the Kerala State Human Rights Commission (also the former Vice Chancellor of CUSAT – Cochin University of Science and Technology), was the Patron of CRSJS. His advice and guidance were invaluable for the growth of CRSJS as a leading human rights NGO.
The CRSJS – Dr. S Balaraman Human Rights Defender Award was instituted by CRSJS in his memory, in 2013, the year of his passing. The award consisting of a memento, certificate, and cash prize of ten thousand rupees ( ₹ 10,000) , is presented annually on 10th December – the World Human Rights Day to honour a person who has rendered outstanding contribution to the cause of human rights. The 10th December World Human Rights Day celebration is a major event in the CRSJS calendar and apart from the award ceremony a distinguished individual is also invited to deliver the Dr S Balaraman Human Rights Lecture on that day. On that day, CRSJS also honours other individuals/activists who have contributed to the cause of human rights.
Save Sharmila Solidarity Campaign (SSSC)
CRSJS was associated with the Save Sharmila Solidarity Campaign (SSSC) which was a nationwide campaign to support the Manipuri Poetess and human rights activist Ms. Irom Sharmila who undertook a 16 year old hunger strike (the world’s longest), to persuade the Indian government to withdraw the Armed Forces Special Powers Act from her home state, Manipur. CRSJS actively led and coordinated all the activities of SSSC in Kerala State, India.
TRANSPARENCY
CRSJS relies solely on the funds mobilized from its members for all its activities and is not beholden to any third party funding. CRSJS firmly believes in the need for transparency and we declare that if we accept funds from outside sources, we shall prominently display it on our website.
Key Focus Areas
Police Atrocities
Actively addressing and fighting instances of police misconduct throughout India.
Awareness Campaigns
Conducts regular seminars, workshops, and community programmes to spread knowledge about human rights.
Legal Aid & Financial Support
Provides free legal aid and financial assistance to deserving victims of police atrocities.
