Karnataka: Allegations of arbitrary and abusive force against women protesters must be investigated

Amnesty International India spoke to 18 women garment workers who all said they saw the police beating and abusing peaceful protesters. One woman garment worker who took part in a protest in Peenya on Tuesday said, “The police used their batons to poke us in our private parts. One of them said, ‘You whore, what problem do you have with working in a garment factory?...Police officials have claimed that the violence was justified...Women garment workers may be hesitant to speak out about the violence that they faced, as they are afraid of being targeted in the future. They have to go back to work in the same factories where they are currently employed. The government therefore needs to investigate these allegations in a sensitive manner...All incidents of violence and vandalism should also be effectively investigated, and those suspected of human rights abuses prosecuted.”