New Delhi, 17 March 2006
Dr. Justice A.S Anand, Chairperson, National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has called on the Chief Secretaries and Directors General of Police to show sensitivity in matters of human rights. Speaking at the meeting of the Chief Secretaries and Directors General of Police held here today, he stressed that unless they do not show sensitivity, this sentiment can not percolate to the lower levels. Pointing out to the diminishing level of sensitivity shown by some of the state machinery and the absence of promptness in addressing human rights concerns, Justice Anand stressed that sensitivity towards human rights issues is important. He said that the NHRC has been receiving complaints and the media has been increasingly reporting instances of harassment of vulnerable sections of society by the state machinery. He stated that the purpose of holding this meeting is not to find faults but to appreciate and understand each other's point of view. He said that the Commission wishes to know what is happening in the protection of human rights from each of the states, which the participants represent.
However, Justice Anand at the same time lamented that whenever the NHRC holds meetings/ workshops on bonded labour in the various states the District Magistrates often don't attend the meetings, which shows their lack of interest. Their presence in fact is necessary, as they have been identified under the Act as the officers with a pivotal role to play in identifying and eliminating the practice of bonded labour. He pointed out that unless human rights are made the focal point, good governance is not possible.
In his address Justice Anand highlighted that the Commission has been receiving complaints of cases of alleged human rights violations. The number of complaints has steadily increased over the years ever since its inception. This steady increase, he said, is not an indication that violations have increased over the years but that the citizen has found a forum in the NHRC where they can voice their grievances. This expectation on the part of the citizenry gives rises to more responsibility. The Commission is consistently attempting to develop a culture of human rights especially in this country, which has a cultural and linguistic diversity. The NHRC keeps on making recommendations with regard to implementation of economic, social and cultural rights for in order to effectively enjoy civil and political rights, economic, social and cultural rights cannot be put on the backburner. He requested the Chief Secretaries and Directors General of police to give proper importance to Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.
Justice Anand also touched on the problems of violence in custody, overcrowding in jails and the large number of Undertrial prisoners in jails, child marriages, manual scavenging, food security, starvation deaths and health rights. He also pointed out for the need for treating the rights of disabled, rights perspective and not merely a welfare measure and for the need for barrier free mobility.
Earlier Shri Nirmal Singh, Secretary General of the NHRC, in his welcome address stated that the meeting this year would focus on economic, social and cultural rights, crimes committed by persons in uniform, the complaints from the vulnerable sections against violation of their rights in custody and investigation. Also in focus would be to find out the reason why there is a deficiency in the delivery of ensuring that all children are able to get vaccination by way of immunization against life threatening diseases.
The daylong meeting is a follow up of the earlier meeting held on 14 December 2004. The meeting deliberated on Civil and Political rights especially crimes committed by persons in uniform such as non-registration of FIR and violence being used during investigation while in custody. It also took up Economic, Social and Cultural Rights such as eradication of manual scavenging by 2007, spreading of awareness regarding child marriages, policy regarding rehabilitation of internally displaced persons, duties of the state in protecting Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, implementation of the Bonded Labour Act and Child Labour Prevention Act, right to health especially 100% vaccination for children, female foeticide, health care of senior citizens, Human rights and HIV/AIDS, rights of the disabled, trafficking in women and children and right to food.
*******