NHRC -SHRCs MEETING
New Delhi November 19, 2007 The National Human Rights Commission Chairperson Justice Shri S. Rajendra Babu, in his inaugural address of the Fourth Annual Meeting of the NHRC with State Human Rights Commissions, has said that country has been facing tough challenges such as terrorism, trafficking in women and children, disappearance of persons, displacement of persons due to disasters, conflicts and development, child labour, illiteracy, ill-health, human rights violations in prisons and the rights of persons with disabilities. He added that sexual abuse and killing of children in Nithari have highlighted the need to be vigilant on atrocities against women, children, dalits, tribals and other vulnerable sections of the public and these serious human rights issues need to be kept in view while reworking and reviewing Commission's strategies, particularly in glare of media which is very vibrant. He also stressed on the need for capacity building of the State Human Rights Commissions for effectively protecting and promoting human rights of the people.
This is the meeting of the NHRC with SHRCs after 2006 Amendment to the protection of Human Rights Act, 1993. Section 13(6) of the amended Act states that where the Commission considers it necessary or expedient so to do, it may, by order, transfer any complaint filed or pending before it to the State Commission of the State from which the complaint arises, for disposal in accordance with the provisions of this Act;
Provided that no such complaint shall be transferred unless the same is one respecting which the State Commission has jurisdiction to entertain the same.
Chairpersons of some State Human Rights Commissions raised the issue of lack of infrastructure facilities in the State Commissions.
The issues that came up for discussions in the meeting are: Camp Commission sittings, eradication of Manual Scavenging, Right to Health, Human Rights Education, Custodial Justice, Human Trafficking.
Deeply concerned about incorporating Human Rights Education at the school and University level, the Commission pointed out the initiatives by the NHRC by way of recommendations on Human Rights Education for Teaching Professionals, imparting education in primary, secondary and higher secondary level and human rights education at the university and college levels submitted to the Government and UGC. Joint Secretary, Smt Aruna Sharma reminded the audience about the commitment made to eradicate manual scavenging by December 2007. The Members of the Commission Dr. Justice Shivaraj V Patil, Justice Y. Bhaskar Rao and Shri P.C. Sharma, also addressed the gathering and impressed upon the need for making co-coordinated efforts to achieve various goals towards protection and promotion of Human Rights in a diverse country like India.
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This is the meeting of the NHRC with SHRCs after 2006 Amendment to the protection of Human Rights Act, 1993. Section 13(6) of the amended Act states that where the Commission considers it necessary or expedient so to do, it may, by order, transfer any complaint filed or pending before it to the State Commission of the State from which the complaint arises, for disposal in accordance with the provisions of this Act;
Provided that no such complaint shall be transferred unless the same is one respecting which the State Commission has jurisdiction to entertain the same.
Chairpersons of some State Human Rights Commissions raised the issue of lack of infrastructure facilities in the State Commissions.
The issues that came up for discussions in the meeting are: Camp Commission sittings, eradication of Manual Scavenging, Right to Health, Human Rights Education, Custodial Justice, Human Trafficking.
Deeply concerned about incorporating Human Rights Education at the school and University level, the Commission pointed out the initiatives by the NHRC by way of recommendations on Human Rights Education for Teaching Professionals, imparting education in primary, secondary and higher secondary level and human rights education at the university and college levels submitted to the Government and UGC. Joint Secretary, Smt Aruna Sharma reminded the audience about the commitment made to eradicate manual scavenging by December 2007. The Members of the Commission Dr. Justice Shivaraj V Patil, Justice Y. Bhaskar Rao and Shri P.C. Sharma, also addressed the gathering and impressed upon the need for making co-coordinated efforts to achieve various goals towards protection and promotion of Human Rights in a diverse country like India.
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