Meeting with delegates of South African Human Rights Commission
A delegation from the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) led by Ms. Shirley Mabusela, Deputy Chairperson, SAHRC visited the Commission on 26 July 1999. The other members of the team were Ms. Shireen Said, Ms. Charlotte McAllen and Ms. Mabel Rattla. The SAHRC is in the process of establishing a strong focal point for child rights within their Commission, and this study tour was to help them gain an understanding of related issues in India.
Briefing them about the work of the NHRC, Shri Virendra Dayal, Member of the Commission, dealt upon the similarity of problems faced by both the Commissions. He said that the Indian Commission, since its inception, had been advocating fulfillment of the rights of the child, dealing with the numerous problems faced by them and suggesting suitable measures for the protection of their rights. This Commission has been involved in a number of projects relating to the rights of the child, including child labour, child prostitution, the issues of child marriage and female infanticide. He stressed the need to have a comprehensive national plan to deal with problems relating to children. Despite having various acts and conventions covering the rights of the child, the problem of child labour was still rampant in the country. There are about 2 million children working in various hazardous industries in different parts of the country. This Commission has been emphasising that free and compulsory education for all children up to the sage of 14 years is essential to deal with this problem.
Dr. Justice K. Ramaswamy, Member of the Commission briefed the delegates on the major pronouncements of the Supreme Court in respect of the rights of the child. He observed that the capacity of the NHRC to approach the superior courts of the country had greatly strengthened the Commission’s hand in dealing with Human Rights matter, a point which was of particular interest to the visiting delegation.
Shri K.R. Venugopal, Special Rapporteur of the Commission said that poverty was a major issue, which deprived the child of its rights, but in India, social customs and practices also exacerbated the situation. He emphasised the need for a frontal attack, "both the problems of poverty and education have to be attacked simultaneously". He stressed the necessity for governmental and non-governmental organizations to work in tandem, adding that political will was required to deal with such problems.
The delegation interacted with several NGOs involved with issues relating to the rights of the child, in New Delhi, Bangalore and Hyderabad. It also held discussions in the National Law School of India University, Bangalore and visited a number of projects being run for children in India.
Briefing them about the work of the NHRC, Shri Virendra Dayal, Member of the Commission, dealt upon the similarity of problems faced by both the Commissions. He said that the Indian Commission, since its inception, had been advocating fulfillment of the rights of the child, dealing with the numerous problems faced by them and suggesting suitable measures for the protection of their rights. This Commission has been involved in a number of projects relating to the rights of the child, including child labour, child prostitution, the issues of child marriage and female infanticide. He stressed the need to have a comprehensive national plan to deal with problems relating to children. Despite having various acts and conventions covering the rights of the child, the problem of child labour was still rampant in the country. There are about 2 million children working in various hazardous industries in different parts of the country. This Commission has been emphasising that free and compulsory education for all children up to the sage of 14 years is essential to deal with this problem.
Dr. Justice K. Ramaswamy, Member of the Commission briefed the delegates on the major pronouncements of the Supreme Court in respect of the rights of the child. He observed that the capacity of the NHRC to approach the superior courts of the country had greatly strengthened the Commission’s hand in dealing with Human Rights matter, a point which was of particular interest to the visiting delegation.
Shri K.R. Venugopal, Special Rapporteur of the Commission said that poverty was a major issue, which deprived the child of its rights, but in India, social customs and practices also exacerbated the situation. He emphasised the need for a frontal attack, "both the problems of poverty and education have to be attacked simultaneously". He stressed the necessity for governmental and non-governmental organizations to work in tandem, adding that political will was required to deal with such problems.
The delegation interacted with several NGOs involved with issues relating to the rights of the child, in New Delhi, Bangalore and Hyderabad. It also held discussions in the National Law School of India University, Bangalore and visited a number of projects being run for children in India.