Lok Sabha Speaker lauds NHRC on Human Rights Day
The National Human Rights Commission organised a special function in New Delhi to observe Human Rights Day on the 10th December, 2014 to draw attention towards the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), which was adopted and proclaimed by the General Assembly of the United Nations in 1948. The theme of this year's Human Rights Day - "Human Rights 365" encompassed the idea that every day was Human Rights Day and everybody at all times was entitled to the full range of human rights.
Addressing the gathering as the Chief Guest on the occasion, the Lok Sabha Speaker, Smt. Sumitra Mahajan said that we should be concerned about the entire universe and not limit ourselves talking only about the rights of human beings. The United Nations may have decided in 1948 to observe the 10th December as Human Rights Day but India has a long tradition of not only giving importance to human beings but also to all living beings in the universe who are inter-dependent and live with mutual co-existence in harmony. This also reflected through our centuries old culture and literature which talk of 'Vasudhaiv Kutumbakam', i.e., 'World is for all'.
Smt. Mahajan also said that the protection and promotion of human rights and observation of Human Rights Day should not be the responsibility of the NHRC alone or a government but of all people. She said that it would not be just sufficient to talk of human rights on a particular day but to become sensitive towards each other's rights and duties for all time.
Appreciating NHRC's photo exhibition on its activities and children's paintings on human rights issues, she lauded the consistency with which the Commission was working towards promotion and protection of human rights, since its inception in 1993, through its various interventions, recommendations, seminars, conferences, camp sittings, awareness programmes, visits to jails and other places.
The Lok Sabha Speaker said that a balance should be maintained in our approaches towards the rights of victims of human rights violation and those who are guilty of violating them. She observed that demonizing security forces all the time for rights violations might not be a correct approach. They too have their rights and constraints.
Referring to various rights violations, including the rights of women and children, their right to education and issue of honour killings, Smt. Mahajan said that a lot was needed to be done to make society think about these issues and to bring about a change in the mindsets towards girls and children.
The NHRC Chairperson, Justice Shri K.G. Balakrishnan said that governments must ensure that policies and programmes devised by them have a strong human rights component for an equitable and truly beneficial utilization of national and human resources. He said that the Commission regards the governments and civil society as indispensible partners in its efforts and activities towards the promotion and protection of various civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights.
Justice Balakrishnan said that in 2013-14 alone, the Commission registered 98,136 fresh cases with action having being completed in 92,292 cases. During the period, the Commission also recommended payment of interim relief in 443 cases amounting to Rs.151.953 million.
Ms. Kiran Mehra-Kerpelman, Director, United Nations Information Centre in India read out Human Rights Day message of the UN Secretary General, Mr. Ban Ki Moon, who emphasized upon justice for individuals, social stability and global progress and held them as key to protect human rights.
Earlier, NHRC Secretary General, Shri Rajesh Kishore, while welcoming the dignitaries, highlighted the role of the NHRC, India and the challenges before it in safeguarding human rights of a large population. He also administered human rights pledge to the gathering on the occasion.
The Lok Sabha Speaker also released six NHRC publications including, English Journal, 'Manav Adhikar: Nayi Dishayen', which are compilations of articles by eminent persons on various aspects of human rights, 'Manav Adhikar Sanchika' and a Handbook of Spot Enquiries.
Several dignitaries, including, present and former NHRC Members, senior officers, representatives of UN agencies and other eminent persons attended the Human Rights Day function organised by the Commission.
Addressing the gathering as the Chief Guest on the occasion, the Lok Sabha Speaker, Smt. Sumitra Mahajan said that we should be concerned about the entire universe and not limit ourselves talking only about the rights of human beings. The United Nations may have decided in 1948 to observe the 10th December as Human Rights Day but India has a long tradition of not only giving importance to human beings but also to all living beings in the universe who are inter-dependent and live with mutual co-existence in harmony. This also reflected through our centuries old culture and literature which talk of 'Vasudhaiv Kutumbakam', i.e., 'World is for all'.
Smt. Mahajan also said that the protection and promotion of human rights and observation of Human Rights Day should not be the responsibility of the NHRC alone or a government but of all people. She said that it would not be just sufficient to talk of human rights on a particular day but to become sensitive towards each other's rights and duties for all time.
Appreciating NHRC's photo exhibition on its activities and children's paintings on human rights issues, she lauded the consistency with which the Commission was working towards promotion and protection of human rights, since its inception in 1993, through its various interventions, recommendations, seminars, conferences, camp sittings, awareness programmes, visits to jails and other places.
The Lok Sabha Speaker said that a balance should be maintained in our approaches towards the rights of victims of human rights violation and those who are guilty of violating them. She observed that demonizing security forces all the time for rights violations might not be a correct approach. They too have their rights and constraints.
Referring to various rights violations, including the rights of women and children, their right to education and issue of honour killings, Smt. Mahajan said that a lot was needed to be done to make society think about these issues and to bring about a change in the mindsets towards girls and children.
The NHRC Chairperson, Justice Shri K.G. Balakrishnan said that governments must ensure that policies and programmes devised by them have a strong human rights component for an equitable and truly beneficial utilization of national and human resources. He said that the Commission regards the governments and civil society as indispensible partners in its efforts and activities towards the promotion and protection of various civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights.
Justice Balakrishnan said that in 2013-14 alone, the Commission registered 98,136 fresh cases with action having being completed in 92,292 cases. During the period, the Commission also recommended payment of interim relief in 443 cases amounting to Rs.151.953 million.
Ms. Kiran Mehra-Kerpelman, Director, United Nations Information Centre in India read out Human Rights Day message of the UN Secretary General, Mr. Ban Ki Moon, who emphasized upon justice for individuals, social stability and global progress and held them as key to protect human rights.
Earlier, NHRC Secretary General, Shri Rajesh Kishore, while welcoming the dignitaries, highlighted the role of the NHRC, India and the challenges before it in safeguarding human rights of a large population. He also administered human rights pledge to the gathering on the occasion.
The Lok Sabha Speaker also released six NHRC publications including, English Journal, 'Manav Adhikar: Nayi Dishayen', which are compilations of articles by eminent persons on various aspects of human rights, 'Manav Adhikar Sanchika' and a Handbook of Spot Enquiries.
Several dignitaries, including, present and former NHRC Members, senior officers, representatives of UN agencies and other eminent persons attended the Human Rights Day function organised by the Commission.