"Protection of Human Rights is our mission" says NHRC
Chairperson, Justice Shri S. Rajendra Babu
New Delhi May 22, 2007
"Protection of Human Rights is the mission of National Human Rights Commission," this was stated by Justice Shri S. Rajendra Babu, Chairperson, NHRC at a Press Conference in New Delhi today. Addressing the media Justice Shri S. Rajendra Babu emphasized that human rights is all encompassing and no field can be outside the purview of human rights.
The Press Conference was specially convened on the outcome of the three day NHRC Camp Sitting held at Patna recently. The Commission has been having annual meeting with the Chief Secretaries and Directors General of Police of different states to discuss and deliberate on the concerns for protection and promotion of human rights.
As a step further, NHRC is now holding Camp Commission in state capitals. The Camp Commission gives NHRC an opportunity not only to handle the individual complaints but also helps to deliberate upon various enactments and policies. During these Camps, specific areas are highlighted to the state authorities where extra care and caution is to be exercised, to ensure that economic, social, cultural, civil and political rights are well protected.
After the success of first Camp Sitting in Lucknow in the month of January this year, the Second Camp Commission was held at Patna from May 17 to 19, 2007.
Before proceeding to Patna, the Commission carried out a special drive from February 1 to May 15 this year, wherein 1678 cases were disposed of.
In its three-day sitting in Patna, 30 cases of Full Commission and 125 cases relating to Single Members were disposed of. On consideration and disposal of the cases, the State Government made payment of Seven lakh Sixty thousand rupees (7,60,000) to the concerned victims of violation of human rights in 6 cases and submitted proof of payment. This includes 2 cases of custodial deaths wherein One lakh rupee each was paid to the next of kin of the two deceased.
The State Government, further, undertook to file proof of payment in 4 cases. Thus, a sum of Six lakh and sixty thousand rupees (6,60,000) is likely to be disbursed to the victims of violation of human rights or to the next of kin of the deceased.
The Commission also recommended interim relief to the tune of Fourteen lakh twenty five thousand rupees (14,25,000) in 10 cases. It includes 8 cases of custodial deaths wherein a total amount of Eleven lakh and twenty five thousand rupees (11,25,000) has been recommended to be paid to the next of kin of the deceased.
The Commission after considering the reports and giving hearing to the representatives of the State Government at Patna, was prima-facie of the view that human rights of citizens had been violated in 19 cases. The Commission proposes to issue notices to the Chief Secretary/DGP on interim relief in this regard.
On account of sensitization, the Commission during the course of hearing at Patna, received reports in respect of Custodial deaths and non- Custodial deaths, pending with the Commission. This will help to dispose of these cases which were pending for long for want of reports from the State authorities.
During the course of hearing, the Commission also called for additional information in 50 cases.
After the three- day camp sitting, on May 20, the Commission held a regional review meeting with the Chief Secretaries and DGPs from the States of Bihar, West Bengal, Orissa and Jharkhand. A detailed discussion on the status of compliance to the recommendations given by NHRC and other issues of concern were deliberated upon. The subjects taken up during discussions included Juvenile Justice, prisons, trafficking of women and children, manual scavenging, right to health and education. The Commission expressed its concern on poor compliance by the States of West Bengal and Orissa. NHRC also expressed its concern on the need for micro-level monitoring of Kalahandi, Bolangir and Koraput districts in Orissa.
The Commission during the Camp Sittings and the review meeting observed that:
· A number of children in conflict with law are under detention in observation and special homes.
· The Commission asked the Bihar government to release funds for Ranchi Institute of Neuro-psychiatry and Allied Sciences (RINPAS) and also asked Jharkhand to release amount due to RINPAS.
· The Commission expressed concern on the issue of trafficking in women and children. It called for appointing special officers to sensitize police personnel and also work out a systematic programme for rehabilitation of such victims. The Commission observed that Bihar, Jharkhand and Orissa are the place of origin for trafficking whereas West Bengal is the destination. It asked for greater alertness at the place of origin to protect women and children from becoming victims of trafficking.
· The Commission strongly voiced concern to ensure complete eradication of Manual Scavenging. It asked for resurvey by an independent agency in all these states. The Commission also emphasized that an effective rehabilitation and reintegration programme should be vigorously persued to bring Manual Scavengers into the main stream.
· The Commission asked the State Governments to put in extra efforts so that right to health is not denied to any person. It emphasized that education as a right is mandatory and development can be possible only when this right reaches everyone.
"Protection of Human Rights is the mission of National Human Rights Commission," this was stated by Justice Shri S. Rajendra Babu, Chairperson, NHRC at a Press Conference in New Delhi today. Addressing the media Justice Shri S. Rajendra Babu emphasized that human rights is all encompassing and no field can be outside the purview of human rights.
The Press Conference was specially convened on the outcome of the three day NHRC Camp Sitting held at Patna recently. The Commission has been having annual meeting with the Chief Secretaries and Directors General of Police of different states to discuss and deliberate on the concerns for protection and promotion of human rights.
As a step further, NHRC is now holding Camp Commission in state capitals. The Camp Commission gives NHRC an opportunity not only to handle the individual complaints but also helps to deliberate upon various enactments and policies. During these Camps, specific areas are highlighted to the state authorities where extra care and caution is to be exercised, to ensure that economic, social, cultural, civil and political rights are well protected.
After the success of first Camp Sitting in Lucknow in the month of January this year, the Second Camp Commission was held at Patna from May 17 to 19, 2007.
Before proceeding to Patna, the Commission carried out a special drive from February 1 to May 15 this year, wherein 1678 cases were disposed of.
In its three-day sitting in Patna, 30 cases of Full Commission and 125 cases relating to Single Members were disposed of. On consideration and disposal of the cases, the State Government made payment of Seven lakh Sixty thousand rupees (7,60,000) to the concerned victims of violation of human rights in 6 cases and submitted proof of payment. This includes 2 cases of custodial deaths wherein One lakh rupee each was paid to the next of kin of the two deceased.
The State Government, further, undertook to file proof of payment in 4 cases. Thus, a sum of Six lakh and sixty thousand rupees (6,60,000) is likely to be disbursed to the victims of violation of human rights or to the next of kin of the deceased.
The Commission also recommended interim relief to the tune of Fourteen lakh twenty five thousand rupees (14,25,000) in 10 cases. It includes 8 cases of custodial deaths wherein a total amount of Eleven lakh and twenty five thousand rupees (11,25,000) has been recommended to be paid to the next of kin of the deceased.
The Commission after considering the reports and giving hearing to the representatives of the State Government at Patna, was prima-facie of the view that human rights of citizens had been violated in 19 cases. The Commission proposes to issue notices to the Chief Secretary/DGP on interim relief in this regard.
On account of sensitization, the Commission during the course of hearing at Patna, received reports in respect of Custodial deaths and non- Custodial deaths, pending with the Commission. This will help to dispose of these cases which were pending for long for want of reports from the State authorities.
During the course of hearing, the Commission also called for additional information in 50 cases.
After the three- day camp sitting, on May 20, the Commission held a regional review meeting with the Chief Secretaries and DGPs from the States of Bihar, West Bengal, Orissa and Jharkhand. A detailed discussion on the status of compliance to the recommendations given by NHRC and other issues of concern were deliberated upon. The subjects taken up during discussions included Juvenile Justice, prisons, trafficking of women and children, manual scavenging, right to health and education. The Commission expressed its concern on poor compliance by the States of West Bengal and Orissa. NHRC also expressed its concern on the need for micro-level monitoring of Kalahandi, Bolangir and Koraput districts in Orissa.
The Commission during the Camp Sittings and the review meeting observed that:
· A number of children in conflict with law are under detention in observation and special homes.
· The Commission asked the Bihar government to release funds for Ranchi Institute of Neuro-psychiatry and Allied Sciences (RINPAS) and also asked Jharkhand to release amount due to RINPAS.
· The Commission expressed concern on the issue of trafficking in women and children. It called for appointing special officers to sensitize police personnel and also work out a systematic programme for rehabilitation of such victims. The Commission observed that Bihar, Jharkhand and Orissa are the place of origin for trafficking whereas West Bengal is the destination. It asked for greater alertness at the place of origin to protect women and children from becoming victims of trafficking.
· The Commission strongly voiced concern to ensure complete eradication of Manual Scavenging. It asked for resurvey by an independent agency in all these states. The Commission also emphasized that an effective rehabilitation and reintegration programme should be vigorously persued to bring Manual Scavengers into the main stream.
· The Commission asked the State Governments to put in extra efforts so that right to health is not denied to any person. It emphasized that education as a right is mandatory and development can be possible only when this right reaches everyone.