राष्ट्रीय मानव अधिकार आयोग, भारत
National Human Rights Commission to celebrate Human Rights Day on 10th December, 2023
Press Release
NATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION
Curtain Raiser
New Delhi, 7th December, 2023
National Human Rights Commission to celebrate Human Rights Day on 10th December, 2023
Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar, Vice President of India to be the Chief Guest
The NHRC, India engages with various stakeholders within the country and abroad to shape the discourse on human rights
Four more Advisories including on CSAM issued during last one year
More than 88 thousand cases resolved with over Rs. 18.27 crore relief recommended to the victims of human rights violations
The 10th December is celebrated worldwide as Human Rights Day to commemorate the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) on this day in 1948. It was adopted and proclaimed by the General Assembly of United Nations as a global standard to protect and promote human rights irrespective of caste, gender, colour, creed, language political belief or any other status. The 75 years journey of this landmark document has been overwhelmingly endorsed by all the member countries of the United Nations.
Recently, a conference of National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) of Asia Pacific, was successfully hosted by the NHRC, India in New Delhi, also reaffirmed in its ‘Delhi Declaration’, the enduring importance of the UDHR. It has guided the drafting of the ‘Paris Principles’ as a yardstick for setting up NHRIs worldwide for promoting and safeguarding human rights by engaging with diverse stakeholders, including governments, in the formulation of human rights centred policies and legislation.
The day for the National Human Rights Commission, NHRC, India serves as an opportunity and a reminder for all stakeholders in the national and international community to reflect on their past and future actions and responsibilities and to work towards the promotion and protection of human rights to ensure ‘Freedom, Equality and Justice for All’, which is also the theme of Human Rights Day this year.
The NHRC, India is organizing a programme on the 10th December, 2023 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi at 10 am to celebrate the Human Rights Day. The Vice President of India, Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar will grace the occasion as the Chief Guest and address the audience. NHRC Chairperson, Justice Shri Arun Mishra; Members, Dr. Dnyaneshwar M. Mulay and Shri Rajiv Jain; Secretary General, Shri Bharat Lal, other senior officers, Members of the Statutory Commissions, State Human Rights Commissions, Diplomats, Special Rapporteurs, Special Monitors, academicians and members of the civil society, NGOs, human rights defenders among others will be present.
NHRC, India has been working continuously to safeguard civil, political, economic, social, and cultural rights of the people since its inception. The Commission has also contributed in raising awareness among public officials and civil society on various human rights issues and promoting a human rights-centered approach in policies and programmes through its various initiatives and activities.
In the last 30 years since its inception, the Commission registered more than 22.48 lakh cases, disposed of more than 22.41 lakh cases, and recommended payment of more than Rs. 230 crore as relief to the victims of human rights violations.
During last one year from 1st December, 2022 to 30th November, 2023, the Commission registered 80,376 cases, including 117 cases of suo motu cognizance; it disposed of 88,451 including old and new cases, on the basis of inquiry reports from the concerned public authorities and the findings of its Investigation teams. In 390 cases, the Commission recommended more than Rs.18.27 crore as relief to the victims of human rights violations. To broaden its reach and expedite the resolution of cases, the 'HRCNet Portal' has included several State Human Rights Commissions (SHRCs) to assist in eliminating duplication of complaints and tracking the status of cases.
The Commission has continued with its effort to issue specific advisories ameliorating the cause of human rights of various segments of society. During last one year, it has issued 4 more Advisories relating to 'Mitigating deliberate self-harm and suicide attempts by prisoners', 'Ensuring the welfare of Transgender Persons', 'Mental health' and 'Protection of the Rights of Children against production, distribution and consumption of Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM)'. Beginning since the COVID-19 pandemic, the Commission has issued 25 Advisories so far.
The Commission is continuing with the hearing of the suo motu cases registered by it on air pollution in Delhi-NCR, which has been a major concern for the Commission besides the issues pertaining to climate change, business and human rights, the betterment of mental health care institutions and shelter homes, rights and rehabilitation of cured mentally ill patients, as well as various other complaints of human rights violations in different parts of the country.
The Commission, led by Chairperson Justice Shri Arun Mishra has also been making significant contributions to the discourse at various international forums on environment, climate change, business and human rights.
Consultations with various stakeholders including its Core Group on different thematic issues of human rights, meetings with National Commissions and State Human Rights Commissions, camp sitting, visits of Special Rapporteurs and Special Monitors to examine, monitor, evaluate, advise and report on human rights violations in prisons, observation homes, schools, mental health institutes, police stations, Juvenile Homes for boys and girls, state social welfare departments, homes for the elderly, hospitals, Anganwadi etc have been some of the effective mechanisms pursued by the NHRC for keeping a watch on the human rights situation in the country and making necessary recommendations to the concerned authorities.
The NHRC is also promoting human rights education and awareness. Its flagship bi-monthly online short-term internships and month-long winter and summer internships have benefited hundreds of students from across the country, besides the sponsoring human rights workshops by various educational institutes and facilitating visits of students and faculties of various institutes of higher learning for a day-long orientation. It continues with its annual debate competition for the Central Armed Police Forces, competition for short films on human rights, which are some of its significant flagship activities for creating awareness of human rights issues.
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