The attack on August 9 in the eastern Indian city of Kolkata has sparked a wave of calls for justice for the victim and for women’s safety in hospitals, with doctors in many areas refusing to see patients who are not in urgent need.
A volunteer police officer has been arrested and the federal police force has taken over the investigation. Public outrage and protests against violence against women have echoed those that followed the gang rape and murder of a 23-year-old student on a bus in New Delhi in 2012.
"If women cannot be safe at work, it means we are not providing them with the most basic justice," said Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, who headed the court's three-judge panel.
The court asked the special committee to consider comprehensive reforms to make health facilities safer for staff. However, hundreds of young doctors who are on strike and protesting have said they are not satisfied with the decision and will continue to protest.
"Legislation alone cannot solve these problems, we need a more comprehensive reform of the system," a national body of junior and trainee doctors wrote in a statement, adding that the court's decision did not address "core issues" in the allocation of funding and personnel to the health sector.
The Supreme Court, after taking up the case itself, has asked the federal police to submit a status report on the investigation into the intern's murder on Thursday.
The rape and murder of a medical intern has sparked outrage across India. (Photo: REUTERS/Adnan Abidi/File Photo)
The court also ordered that a federal paramilitary force be deployed to the hospital where the incident took place to ensure security for female doctors who do not feel safe, following the murder and acts of vandalism by several unidentified men.
The court ordered the special committee to consider safety measures including providing separate break rooms for female employees, adequate lighting throughout the campus, more adequate security camera systems and establishing an employee committee to conduct quarterly security assessments.
The court ordered the commission to submit a preliminary report within three weeks and a full report within two months, and urged striking doctors across the country to return to duty.
"We send our most sincere request to doctors across the country who are temporarily suspending work... We will ensure everyone's safety," the court said.
Women's rights activists say the case shows that Indian women are still suffering from sexual violence despite stricter laws introduced after a 2012 gang rape and murder in New Delhi.
Nguyen Quang Minh (according to Reuters)
Source: https://www.nguoiduatin.vn/toa-an-toi-cao-an-do-thanh-lap-uy-ban-dac-biet-sau-vu-bac-si-bi-cuong-dam-va-sat-hai-204240821090115656.htm
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