Regional Consultation with NGOs and voluntary institutions
On 13 March 2001, the National Human Rights Commission held a "regional consultation" in New Delhi with non-governmental organizations and voluntary organizations engaged with the promotion and protection of human rights. This was the first of a series of similar exercises that will be held in different locations in various parts of the country. More than eighty NGOs engaged in the field of human rights, and working in the States of Jammu & Kashmir, Haryana, Punjab, Delhi, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh and Uttaranchal participated in the Consultation.
Inaugurating the function, Justice J.S. Verma, Chairperson, NHRC said that a networking of NGOs is required because "Collectively, with some formal structure in place, the impact is greater". The Commission plans to develop such a structure so that there is a networking of NGOs throughout the country. Expressing appreciation of the work being done by NGOs, he said that the non-governmental organisations were doing many things, which the government is supposed to do but is unable to do. He stressed the need to make public servants more aware about human rights and to improve the culture and mindset of people. He also emphasized the need to give greater importance to the fulfillment of socio-economic and cultural rights.
Among those who participated, Javed Abidi of the National Centre for Promotion of Employment of Disabled spoke of the lack of rights of those experiencing disabilities, stressing that far too little had been done for such persons in the 54 years after independence. Nirmala Deshpande of All India Harijan Sevak Sangh spoke of the lack of awareness concerning human rights among the weaker sections of society and the need to create this awareness. She added that public servants needed to change their perception regarding the rights of the people. Amarjeet Kaur from the National Federation of Indian Women referred to the deprivation of rights of women specially those working in the unorganized sector. NGOs from Punjab & Haryana highlighted the problems of dowry deaths and female foeticide, which they said were rampant in their areas.
Among the main recommendations emerging from the consultation were the following:
There was great need to create a heightened awareness of the human rights of various sections of society, particularly of those who were most vulnerable. Human rights education was essential, not least of public servants. All levels of officials, from the village-panchayat upward, were in need of human rights education. There was also need to bring about far-reaching changes in civil society, in order to create greater respect for human rights.
It was considered essential that the Commission should look into issues regarding the protection of NGOs working in the field of human rights. The Commission would also involve NGOs in efforts to give greater publicity to the rights of groups such as women and children, bonded labour, dalits and tribals. It would also seek to interact more, fully with NGOs in programmes such as those relating to prison reform, and the right to information.
Inaugurating the function, Justice J.S. Verma, Chairperson, NHRC said that a networking of NGOs is required because "Collectively, with some formal structure in place, the impact is greater". The Commission plans to develop such a structure so that there is a networking of NGOs throughout the country. Expressing appreciation of the work being done by NGOs, he said that the non-governmental organisations were doing many things, which the government is supposed to do but is unable to do. He stressed the need to make public servants more aware about human rights and to improve the culture and mindset of people. He also emphasized the need to give greater importance to the fulfillment of socio-economic and cultural rights.
Among those who participated, Javed Abidi of the National Centre for Promotion of Employment of Disabled spoke of the lack of rights of those experiencing disabilities, stressing that far too little had been done for such persons in the 54 years after independence. Nirmala Deshpande of All India Harijan Sevak Sangh spoke of the lack of awareness concerning human rights among the weaker sections of society and the need to create this awareness. She added that public servants needed to change their perception regarding the rights of the people. Amarjeet Kaur from the National Federation of Indian Women referred to the deprivation of rights of women specially those working in the unorganized sector. NGOs from Punjab & Haryana highlighted the problems of dowry deaths and female foeticide, which they said were rampant in their areas.
Among the main recommendations emerging from the consultation were the following:
There was great need to create a heightened awareness of the human rights of various sections of society, particularly of those who were most vulnerable. Human rights education was essential, not least of public servants. All levels of officials, from the village-panchayat upward, were in need of human rights education. There was also need to bring about far-reaching changes in civil society, in order to create greater respect for human rights.
It was considered essential that the Commission should look into issues regarding the protection of NGOs working in the field of human rights. The Commission would also involve NGOs in efforts to give greater publicity to the rights of groups such as women and children, bonded labour, dalits and tribals. It would also seek to interact more, fully with NGOs in programmes such as those relating to prison reform, and the right to information.