The Bangalore-based Karnataka Unit was established in 2004 as a response to women’s legal needs which were not met by any other entity in the state. With ‘use law for justice’ as a mission statement, the Karnataka team is at the forefront of legal advocacy – setting precedents, which extend far beyond Karnataka. Lately, a small office has been opened at Raichur.

The state offices specialise in the rights of the disabled, women and children. Activities include training, organising workshops, legal aid, counseling and movement-building. Present and future goals include raising the level of pro-bono legal expertise for the poor and creating a justice delivery system that is accessible, accountable and transparent – a system that works for the underprivileged. Additionally, the state offices dedicate

substantial time to prison visits and representing those who are incarcerated.

The work of the state offices has had far-reaching effects, ranging from benefiting the lives of individual women, to winning landmark orders for acid attack victims which have influenced other cases at the state and national level. These include compensation packages for acid attack victims, first aid and medical treatment as well as employment and rehabilitation measures. In the area of child rights, HRLN has been appreciated for its work providing legal support to children who were arrested for petty offences and then disappeared. Our efforts resulted in the Karnataka High Court’s recognition of this problem for which the court ordered police and state human rights commission enquiries.