Dated 10th December 2004

Human Rights Day today was observed with a call to be aware of the threat posed by war, terrorism and conflict to the Human Rights of every individual and to resolve to make defence and protection of Human Rights an international secular religion. The total neglect of the rights of the child, the declining juvenile sex ratio of the country and stress on Human Rights Education were other areas of concern voiced by speakers at the function organized by the NHRC in association with the United Nations Information Centre (India), in New Delhi today.
The Chief Guest and Chairperson of the International Coordinating Committee of National Human Rights Institutions, Mr. Morten Kjaerum pointed out that it is paramount that Human Rights are promoted and protected especially as they are under pressure from many angles - such as increased surveillance, further restrictions on travel and extradition without any protection. The new challenges, he said, demand new responses and it is here that

National Human Rights Institutions have a duty to create new partnerships and engage actors across national borders as well as across interests be they commercial, political ideological or religious. He also said that Governments have to realize that in the new inter related world there are many problems that they cannot solve on their own. This presents the National Human Rights Institutions with a chance to contribute to the creation of a new framework along with the corporate sector, labour organizations, religious group, NGOs and others. The UN, he said, can play a significant part in getting all these new actors together, to create new fora and facilitate the much needed dialogue across geographical, cultural and other borders.
Dr. Justice A.S.Anand, Chairperson of the NHRC in his presidential address touched on the work done and experiences of the Commission in promoting & protecting Human Rights during the past 11 years. He reiterated the need to amend the Protection of Human Rights Act 1993. He expressed concern at the almost total neglect of the rights of the child who is today a victim of society's apathy or its violence. This is despite great strides being made in the technological, medical and scientific field for adding to the comfort of living, he said.
He particularly drew attention to the poor standard of health children in India suffer and the exploitation of the girl child.

Saying that sex selective abortions are totally unacceptable and no law, custom, tradition, culture or religious consideration can be
invoked to excuse discrimination against the girl child, he called for a change in the mindset of the society. Proper implementation of the existing legislations and ensuring punishment to the guilty is the need of the hour, he said. Justice Anand also touched on the burning issues of Trafficking in Women & Children, discrimation against HIV/AIDs affected individuals and persons with disabilities.
While admitting that the cult of terrorism strikes at the very root of human rights of innocent people, he cautioned that counter terrorism measures should not undermine democratic values or subvert the rule of law. He concluded his speech with a call to the people to rededicate themselves to make human rights a fact of life and not an elusive tantalizing hope for all humanity.
On the occasion Director, United Information Centre (India), Ms. Shalini Dewan read out the message of the Secretary General of the United Nations, Mr. Kofi Annan. The message reminded the people of the persisting Human Rights problems in the world and of the vital part Human Rights Education could make in the enormous efforts still required to make Human Rights a reality for all.



The Secretary General of the NHRC Mr. P.S.S.Thomas, delivered the Welcome Speech and the Vote of Thanks was given by Shri Santosh Kumar, Director General (Investigation), NHRC. The NHRC also released its publications, which included the first ever Journal in Hindi and Vol-3. of the Journal in English. A Booklets Series titled 'Know your Human Rights' and the NHRC Calendar for the year 2005 were released.
The winners of a painting competition held for physically challenged children organized by the NHRC and the British Council on 13 September 2004 were also felicitated. Students from the National Association for the Blind rendered the invocation song.
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