Dr. Justice A.S. Anand assumes office of Chairperson, NHRC
Dr. Justice Adarsh Sein Anand assumed his responsibilities as the new Chairperson of the National Human Rights Commission on 17 February 2003. The President of India issued a warrant of appointment on 13 January 2003. He succeeds Justice J.S. Verma, who laid down office on 17 January 2003 on attaining the age of 70. Dr. Justice Anand will be the fourth Chairperson of the
NHRC, his predecessors being Justice Ranganath Misra, Justice M.N. Venkatachaliah and Justice J.S. Verma.
In comments made soon after assuming office, Justice Anand said that the focus of the human rights movement should be to uphold human dignity, the right to life and the civil, political, economic and social rights of the citizenry. One of the greatest challenges today was to ensure the rights of women and children and to ensure gender equality. The protection of human rights also came into sharp focus in areas relating to custodial violence and in respect of the rights of vulnerable and the marginalized sections of society.
Speaking of the National Human Rights Commission, its new Chairperson said that the Commission enjoyed great credibility in the eyes not only of the Government and various Institutions of the country, but also in the eyes of the citizens. It would be his endeavour to preserve this credibility and take it to an even higher level. Observing that the `NHRC needs more teeth’, Justice Anand said that certain provisions of the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993 required to be amended and this had been pointed out earlier by the Commission. He intended to pursue this matter vigorously.
On the effect of terrorism on human rights, the Chairperson said that terrorism itself was a threat to human rights – both persons in khakhi and members of civil society being victims. Terrorism has to be fought, keeping in mind the dignity of the individual and the unity and integrity of the country, both of which are absolutely compatible. He stressed the need to create greater awareness in respect of human rights and to develop a human rights culture in the country. He emphasized that there is a clear distinction between an ordinary criminal and a terrorist and that while all terrorists are criminals, all criminals are not terrorists and this distinction must always remain present in the minds of all those concerned with the implementation of anti-terrorism legislation. He added that a great deal depended on the support of ‘enlightened citizens’ of the country to ensure that the opinions of the Commission are implemented.
Dr. Justice Anand was the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of India from 10 October 1998 to 31 October 2001. Born on 1 November 1936, Justice Anand completed his studies in Jammu, Lucknow and London, and enrolled as Advocate Bar Council on 9 November 1964. Having practised in Criminal Law, Constitutional Law and Election Law in the Punjab & Haryana High Court, he was appointed as an Additional Judge, Jammu & Kashmir High Court on 26 May 1975. He became the Chief Justice, Jammu & Kashmir High Court on 11 May 1985 and was transferred to the Madras High Court as Chief Justice on 1 November 1989. He was appointed as a Judge of the Supreme Court of India on 18 November 1991.
NHRC, his predecessors being Justice Ranganath Misra, Justice M.N. Venkatachaliah and Justice J.S. Verma.
In comments made soon after assuming office, Justice Anand said that the focus of the human rights movement should be to uphold human dignity, the right to life and the civil, political, economic and social rights of the citizenry. One of the greatest challenges today was to ensure the rights of women and children and to ensure gender equality. The protection of human rights also came into sharp focus in areas relating to custodial violence and in respect of the rights of vulnerable and the marginalized sections of society.
Speaking of the National Human Rights Commission, its new Chairperson said that the Commission enjoyed great credibility in the eyes not only of the Government and various Institutions of the country, but also in the eyes of the citizens. It would be his endeavour to preserve this credibility and take it to an even higher level. Observing that the `NHRC needs more teeth’, Justice Anand said that certain provisions of the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993 required to be amended and this had been pointed out earlier by the Commission. He intended to pursue this matter vigorously.
On the effect of terrorism on human rights, the Chairperson said that terrorism itself was a threat to human rights – both persons in khakhi and members of civil society being victims. Terrorism has to be fought, keeping in mind the dignity of the individual and the unity and integrity of the country, both of which are absolutely compatible. He stressed the need to create greater awareness in respect of human rights and to develop a human rights culture in the country. He emphasized that there is a clear distinction between an ordinary criminal and a terrorist and that while all terrorists are criminals, all criminals are not terrorists and this distinction must always remain present in the minds of all those concerned with the implementation of anti-terrorism legislation. He added that a great deal depended on the support of ‘enlightened citizens’ of the country to ensure that the opinions of the Commission are implemented.
Dr. Justice Anand was the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of India from 10 October 1998 to 31 October 2001. Born on 1 November 1936, Justice Anand completed his studies in Jammu, Lucknow and London, and enrolled as Advocate Bar Council on 9 November 1964. Having practised in Criminal Law, Constitutional Law and Election Law in the Punjab & Haryana High Court, he was appointed as an Additional Judge, Jammu & Kashmir High Court on 26 May 1975. He became the Chief Justice, Jammu & Kashmir High Court on 11 May 1985 and was transferred to the Madras High Court as Chief Justice on 1 November 1989. He was appointed as a Judge of the Supreme Court of India on 18 November 1991.