New Delhi, November 16th, 2010

The National Human Rights Commission organized an All-India Inter-Central Para-Military Forces Debate competition in New Delhi today in collaboration with Indo Tibetan Border Police (ITBP).

The first prize in Hindi went to Om Prakash, Constable, BSF and in English it went to Avinash Kumar, Assistant Commandant, BSF.

The second prize in Hindi went to Puran Singh, Constable, Assam Rifles and in English it went to B. Murugan, Constable, BSF.

The third prize in Hindi went to S.K. Malik, Deputy Commandant, NSG and in English it went to Sachin Kumar, Assistant Commandant, BSF.

The overall best team trophy went to BSF.

Congratulating the winners of the Debate Competition, Mr. Justice K.G. Balakrishan, Chairperson, NHRC and the Chief of Jury said that war against terrorism has to be firm and relentless. The role of the security forces in protecting and promoting human rights of the people is extremely challenging in the present scenario of growing violence and terrorism.

Justice Balakrishnan said that it must be remembered that the fundamental rationale of anti-terrorism measures has to be to protect human rights and democracy. Counter terrorism measures should, therefore, not undermine democratic values, violate human rights or subvert the Rule of Law. He said that the battle against terrorism must be carried out in keeping with international human rights obligations and the basic tenets of the Rule of Law. If human rights are violated in the process of combating terrorism, it will be self defeating.

The topic of the debate competition was "Human Rights can be observed by security forces without compromising national security concerns."

NHRC has been organizing this debate competition in Hindi and English since 1996. The debate is initially conducted at 8 zonal levels and then the semi final and final rounds are conducted in Delhi. The responsibility to hold semi final and final round is entrusted to one of the Para Military Forces on rotation. This year the responsibility has been entrusted to ITBP to hold the debate competition under the aegis of NHRC.


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