New Delhi, May 21, 2009

A two day National Seminar on "Right to Information, Human Rights: The Present Scenario" organized by the National Human Rights Commission began in New Delhi today. Eleven writers were also awarded on the occasion for their outstanding books and original writings in Hindi on human rights related issues for the year 2006-2007. The former Chief Justice of India, Mr. Justice R.C. Lahoti, addressing the gathering as the Chief Guest on the occasion, appreciated NHRC's commitment for the promotion and protection of human rights in the country and said this is in tune with the United Nations initiatives. However, he said, it is ironical in a democracy that in stead of being the protectors of the human rights of the people, the people's representatives themselves are more responsible for the violation of human rights. Justice Lahoti said, discussion of principles and laws alone will not protect human rights unless the people in the system of governance are sensitive toward them. NHRC Member, Mr. Justice G.P. Mathur, while chairing the Session, congratulated the awardees and said, the Commission is committed to bring awareness about the protection and promotion of human rights and give appropriate encouragement to the writings on these issues. Referring to the enactment of the Right to Information, he regretted that India made a late beginning in this direction compared to many other countries, but despite this, the Right to Information has given a strong and effective tool into the hands of common man to bring transparency in the issues of governance in the country. Justice Mathur under scored the need to provide knowledge to the people about their rights and judicial process in common man's language and mentioned several publications of the Commission on human rights related issues in Hindi. Earlier, welcoming the guests, the Secretary General, NHRC, Mr. A.K. Jain said, Commission has decided that in addition to Hindi it will give awards to best written works on human rights related issues in all the Indian languages included in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution. The Commission started the scheme of honoring writers for their outstanding works in Hindi on human rights related issues since 1998. The seminar will conclude tomorrow.


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