Discussion on India's Country Paper for Human Rights
Council's Universal Periodic Review
The first round meeting on India's Country Paper for Human Rights Council's Universal Periodic Review with the concerned Ministries of the Government of India and State Human Rights Commissions (SHRCs) was held in the Commission on January 23, 2008 under the Chairmanship of NHRC Chairperson, Justice Shri S. Rajendra Babu. Members of the Commission Dr. Justice Shivaraj V. Patil, Justice Shri Y. Bhaskar Rao, Shri R.S. Kalha and Shri P.C. Sharma also attended the meeting.
Referring to the Government's request to the Commission to coordinate preparation of draft Country Paper for the Universal Periodic Review at the UN Human Rights Council, NHRC Chairperson said that the Commission attempted a draft and circulated it to all stakeholders. Justice Babu sought comments of the participants on it.
Karnataka State Human Rights Commission's Chairperson Justice Shri Subray Rama Nayak, referring to relevant paras of Country Paper, remarked that it did not mention about the works done by SHRCs and their problems. He also observed that State Human Rights Commission should also have financial and functional autonomy on the lines of NHRC.
Dr. Bhagawan Sahai, Joint Secretary, Deptt of Food and Public Distribution referred to evaluation studies conducted by his Ministry regarding PDS and a nine point Action Plan evolved at a National Conference. Shri T. Srinivas, Deputy Secretary, Ministry of Rural Development informed that the National Old Age Pension Scheme had been liberalized with effect from November 2007. The Economic Advisor of Ministry of Labour and Employment, Dr. Ashok Sahu informed that Health Insurance Scheme for the Workers in the unorganised sector shall be effective from April 1, 2008. He also informed that the Bonded Labour (Abolition) Act, 1976 may be corrected as Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act.
The Secretary-General NHRC, Shri Akhil Kumar Jain suggested that, while examining the draft country paper, the facts stated be verified by the concerned Ministry/Department and, if any correction are required to be made, the same should be intimated in the meeting to MEA. Any suggestion on the Country Paper related to specific para/statements may also be made in the meeting.
The Joint Secretary, Ministry of Human Resource Development suggested that the title of the para on education may be changed to "Elementary Education as a Fundamental Right" instead of "Primary Education as a Fundamental Right".
The Joint Secretary, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Shri D.V.S. Ranga suggested that there was a need to mention the recent Act passed by the Parliament regarding senior citizens. He also pointed out that the Scheme for Self-Employment of Manual Scavengers being run by his Ministry may be added in the draft and the Ministry would send the details of the scheme separately to the MEA.
Member NHRC, Shri R. S. Kalha mentioned that the role of NHRC in the eradication of Manual Scavenging may be included in the Country Paper. Shri P. C. Sharma, Member NHRC highlighted that the number of deaths in police custody was coming down the during 5-6 years and the same may be mentioned. Other participants also put in their valuable inputs for the draft Country Paper.
Referring to the Government's request to the Commission to coordinate preparation of draft Country Paper for the Universal Periodic Review at the UN Human Rights Council, NHRC Chairperson said that the Commission attempted a draft and circulated it to all stakeholders. Justice Babu sought comments of the participants on it.
Karnataka State Human Rights Commission's Chairperson Justice Shri Subray Rama Nayak, referring to relevant paras of Country Paper, remarked that it did not mention about the works done by SHRCs and their problems. He also observed that State Human Rights Commission should also have financial and functional autonomy on the lines of NHRC.
Dr. Bhagawan Sahai, Joint Secretary, Deptt of Food and Public Distribution referred to evaluation studies conducted by his Ministry regarding PDS and a nine point Action Plan evolved at a National Conference. Shri T. Srinivas, Deputy Secretary, Ministry of Rural Development informed that the National Old Age Pension Scheme had been liberalized with effect from November 2007. The Economic Advisor of Ministry of Labour and Employment, Dr. Ashok Sahu informed that Health Insurance Scheme for the Workers in the unorganised sector shall be effective from April 1, 2008. He also informed that the Bonded Labour (Abolition) Act, 1976 may be corrected as Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act.
The Secretary-General NHRC, Shri Akhil Kumar Jain suggested that, while examining the draft country paper, the facts stated be verified by the concerned Ministry/Department and, if any correction are required to be made, the same should be intimated in the meeting to MEA. Any suggestion on the Country Paper related to specific para/statements may also be made in the meeting.
The Joint Secretary, Ministry of Human Resource Development suggested that the title of the para on education may be changed to "Elementary Education as a Fundamental Right" instead of "Primary Education as a Fundamental Right".
The Joint Secretary, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Shri D.V.S. Ranga suggested that there was a need to mention the recent Act passed by the Parliament regarding senior citizens. He also pointed out that the Scheme for Self-Employment of Manual Scavengers being run by his Ministry may be added in the draft and the Ministry would send the details of the scheme separately to the MEA.
Member NHRC, Shri R. S. Kalha mentioned that the role of NHRC in the eradication of Manual Scavenging may be included in the Country Paper. Shri P. C. Sharma, Member NHRC highlighted that the number of deaths in police custody was coming down the during 5-6 years and the same may be mentioned. Other participants also put in their valuable inputs for the draft Country Paper.