NHRC organizes one-day Workshop on Human Rights Defender to mark its Foundation Day
New Delhi, October 12, 2009
Former Chief Justice of India and former Chairperson of NHRC Dr. Justice A.S. Anand has said that the defenders of human rights have played a major role in the promotion and protection of human rights worldwide but they have also suffered persecution and prosecution by the authorities, however, he said in India, the National Human Rights Commission has played a positive role in protecting the defenders of human rights. Justice Anand was addressing the inaugural session as the Chief Guest in a one-day Workshop on Human Rights Defenders organized by the National Human Rights Commission on its foundation day in New Delhi today. He emphasized that human rights are inclusive of social, economic and cultural rights. He called upon the people to come forward and respond to the necessity of protecting human rights as every citizen is a defender of human rights. Earlier welcoming him, the Acting Chairperson of NHRC, Justice G.P. Mathur said that development with social justice cannot be achieved in absence of respect for human rights. There has to be an enabling environment - legal, political, economic and social - sensitive in the local context for realization of right to development. He said the extent of various human rights violations across the country is of great concern to every civilized member of society. Justice Mathur said there is a need for every individual to become an active human rights activist to ensure that the fundamental rights guaranteed by our constitution are not taken away illegally from the people. Describing the Foundation Day of the Commission as a historic day, Justice Mathur said the Commission continues to imbibe and promote the values of humanity in an environment where there is sense of responsibility without any fear and discrimination of any kind to set an example for others. He said over the years the growing number of complaints of human rights violation each year since the inception of the Commission shows the trust reposed in it by the people of the country.
The workshop was divided in two technical sessions. Prominent speakers including the representatives of human rights defenders, jurists and Member of the Commission spoke on various issues on the occasion.
The workshop was concluded with important suggestions made by eminent participants after a day long discussions on the role, responsibilities and obligations of the human rights defenders and the State.
The workshop will be followed by a cultural programme in the evening at the premises of the NHRC to celebrate the Foundation Day.
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Former Chief Justice of India and former Chairperson of NHRC Dr. Justice A.S. Anand has said that the defenders of human rights have played a major role in the promotion and protection of human rights worldwide but they have also suffered persecution and prosecution by the authorities, however, he said in India, the National Human Rights Commission has played a positive role in protecting the defenders of human rights. Justice Anand was addressing the inaugural session as the Chief Guest in a one-day Workshop on Human Rights Defenders organized by the National Human Rights Commission on its foundation day in New Delhi today. He emphasized that human rights are inclusive of social, economic and cultural rights. He called upon the people to come forward and respond to the necessity of protecting human rights as every citizen is a defender of human rights. Earlier welcoming him, the Acting Chairperson of NHRC, Justice G.P. Mathur said that development with social justice cannot be achieved in absence of respect for human rights. There has to be an enabling environment - legal, political, economic and social - sensitive in the local context for realization of right to development. He said the extent of various human rights violations across the country is of great concern to every civilized member of society. Justice Mathur said there is a need for every individual to become an active human rights activist to ensure that the fundamental rights guaranteed by our constitution are not taken away illegally from the people. Describing the Foundation Day of the Commission as a historic day, Justice Mathur said the Commission continues to imbibe and promote the values of humanity in an environment where there is sense of responsibility without any fear and discrimination of any kind to set an example for others. He said over the years the growing number of complaints of human rights violation each year since the inception of the Commission shows the trust reposed in it by the people of the country.
The workshop was divided in two technical sessions. Prominent speakers including the representatives of human rights defenders, jurists and Member of the Commission spoke on various issues on the occasion.
The workshop was concluded with important suggestions made by eminent participants after a day long discussions on the role, responsibilities and obligations of the human rights defenders and the State.
The workshop will be followed by a cultural programme in the evening at the premises of the NHRC to celebrate the Foundation Day.
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