Debate competition on human rights
To create greater awareness of human rights among para-military and security forces, the Commission organised a debate competition for members of these forces on 31 March 2000. The topic was `The Concept of Human Rights in Combating Terrorism and Militancy’.
Participants from the Border Security Force, Railway Protection Force, Central Industrial Security Force, Assam Rifles and Central Reserve Police Force took part in the debate. The team trophy was won by the CRPF.
In the individual prizes category, Mr. Bijender Kumar from CRPF got the first prize in the Hindi section, Mr. V.K. Chaurasia from CISF got the second and Mr. Madan Parsad from Assam Rifles got the third prize. In the English section, Mr. Anand Vijay, from RPF bagged the first prize, Ms. Vandana Dass from CISF got the second and Mr. Kumar Jai Singh from CRPF got the third prize.
The Commission has continued to receive a number of complaints alleging the violation of human rights by members of the security forces, some of which are well founded. The Commission thus feels that there is constant need for sensitisation of the armed forces and the creation of a greater awareness of human rights among them.
Addressing the officers present, the Chairperson of the Commission, Mr. Justice J.S. Verma, said that terrorism cannot be combated by state-sponsored terrorism, as that would be counter-productive. While performing the duty of defending the unity and integrity of the nation, the Security Forces are entitled to use force, but only to the extent that this is absolutely necessary. "Always keep in mind that the greater the power one has, the greater is the self-restraint required". While the interests of the nation had to be kept foremost in mind, even in controlling terrorism, force had to be used according to the law. The protection of human rights and security operations were not hostile to each other. The Chairperson observed that the preamble to the Constitution required that the dignity of the individual and unity and integrity of the nation should both be maintained, as both were of prime significance.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. D.R. Karthikeyan, Director General (I), NHRC, said that the Security Forces perform a most important and delicate task under the most trying circumstances. The nation was proud of them. Their sacrifice in containing the proxy war and terrorism was laudable, but they should always remain sensitive to human rights issues while performing their duties.
Participants from the Border Security Force, Railway Protection Force, Central Industrial Security Force, Assam Rifles and Central Reserve Police Force took part in the debate. The team trophy was won by the CRPF.
In the individual prizes category, Mr. Bijender Kumar from CRPF got the first prize in the Hindi section, Mr. V.K. Chaurasia from CISF got the second and Mr. Madan Parsad from Assam Rifles got the third prize. In the English section, Mr. Anand Vijay, from RPF bagged the first prize, Ms. Vandana Dass from CISF got the second and Mr. Kumar Jai Singh from CRPF got the third prize.
The Commission has continued to receive a number of complaints alleging the violation of human rights by members of the security forces, some of which are well founded. The Commission thus feels that there is constant need for sensitisation of the armed forces and the creation of a greater awareness of human rights among them.
Addressing the officers present, the Chairperson of the Commission, Mr. Justice J.S. Verma, said that terrorism cannot be combated by state-sponsored terrorism, as that would be counter-productive. While performing the duty of defending the unity and integrity of the nation, the Security Forces are entitled to use force, but only to the extent that this is absolutely necessary. "Always keep in mind that the greater the power one has, the greater is the self-restraint required". While the interests of the nation had to be kept foremost in mind, even in controlling terrorism, force had to be used according to the law. The protection of human rights and security operations were not hostile to each other. The Chairperson observed that the preamble to the Constitution required that the dignity of the individual and unity and integrity of the nation should both be maintained, as both were of prime significance.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. D.R. Karthikeyan, Director General (I), NHRC, said that the Security Forces perform a most important and delicate task under the most trying circumstances. The nation was proud of them. Their sacrifice in containing the proxy war and terrorism was laudable, but they should always remain sensitive to human rights issues while performing their duties.