The National Human Rights Commission organised a special function at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi to observe Human Rights Day on the 10th December, 2013 in order to draw attention towards the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), which was adopted by the General Assembly of the United Nations in 1948. The theme of this year's Human Rights Day - "20 years: Working for your rights" marked the 20th Anniversary of the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and 20 years of NHRC, India.
Addressing the gathering on the occasion as the Chief Guest, the Vice President of India, Shri M. Hamid Ansari spoke on "Human Rights and Human Wrongs" and emphasized responsibility and duty to give voice to those who continue to suffer.
The NHRC Chairperson, Justice Shri K.G. Balakrishnan, spoke about the efforts made by the Commission towards the protection and promotion of human rights since the last 20 years of its existence.
Ms. Kiran Mehra-Kerpelman, Director, United Nations Information Centre in India read out Human Rights Day message of the UN Secretary General, who emphasized upon all the Member States of the United Nations to fulfill the promise they made at the Vienna Conference for Promotion and Protection of Human Rights.
Earlier, Dr. Parvinder Sohi Behuria, Secretary General, NHRC while welcoming the dignitaries, highlighted the role of the NHRC, India. She said that the growing number of complaints received indicated faith of the people of this country in the Commission.
The Human Rights Day function was attended by Ms. Nancy Powell, US Ambassador, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees besides representatives of other UN agencies apart from other eminent persons.
On the occasion, the Vice President also released a number of NHRC publications, which included, among others, Manavadhikar-Nai Dishayein, in Hindi; Journal on Human Rights in English; NHRC and Human Rights Defenders: the Growing Synergy; Living Conditions and Human Rights of Inmates in Prisons, in three volumes; Starvation, Malnutrition and Malnutrition related Deaths of Children in 15 Tribal Districts of Maharashtra, in two volumes; Report on the Implementation of the Persons with Disabilities Act, 1995. The Vice President went around a photo and children's painting exhibition, mounted to highlight the activities of the Commission.
Earlier in the morning, NHRC Chairperson, Members, officers and staff took the human rights pledge.