New Delhi, 30 January 2004
The National Human Rights Commission and State Human Rights Commissions have agreed to co-ordinate their activities to create a human rights culture in the country. They have also agreed to explore ways and means to avoid duplication o f work. Human Rights in prisons, training and awareness building were discussed in detail at a meeting in New Delhi today, which lasted for four hours.
Forging a computer linkage between the different Commissions has been suggested as one such solution to avoid duplication in the processing of complaints of human rights violations. This in turn would create a countrywide database on human rights issues.
Pending adoption of the amendments suggested in the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993, the National Human Rights Commission and the State Human Rights Commissions have agreed to work on a consensus in formulating conventions that will help in better co-ordination in their effort to protect human rights.
Addressing the meeting, NHRC Chairperson Dr. Justice A.S. Anand regretted that till date the amendments proposed to the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993 has not been taken up by the Parliament or the Government. This despite repeated assurances by various political leaders that at least some if not all suggestions would be carried out, he said. He stressed that the Commission has been drawing attention to the felt need for amending the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993 every year, in its Annual Reports since 1999.
The meeting also stressed on the need for creating awareness of human rights amongst the public. The important role played by the SHRCs in conducting training programmes was highlighted.
The meeting discussed the problems of poor condition and overcrowding in jails across the country. It was felt that the 'Board of Visitors' as specified in the Jail Manual should be made functional as this would help in maintaining better standards of the jails. Most SHRCs drew attention to the lack of hygiene in jails, the poor quality of food given to the inmates and the pathetic plight of innocent children of inmates.
On the topic of custodial deaths, there was a felt need to enforce the guidelines brought out by National Human Rights Commission.
Most SHRCs complained of paucity of funds, for which it was felt that vigilance of on how the allocated funds are utilized would go a long way in overcoming this problem.
The meeting was attended by the Chairpersons and Secretaries of the State Human Rights Commissions from Assam, Chhatisgarh, Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Manipur, Punjab, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh.
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