Human Rights Day observed by the National Human Rights Commission

Human Rights Day is observed on 10 December each year, in commemoration of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights on that date in 1948. This year, H.E. Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, the President of India, was the Chief Guest of the National Human Rights Commission at the function organized on Human Rights Day.



Speaking on the occasion, the Chairperson Justice J.S. Verma observed that the role of the Commission had been, in essence, that of a catalyst to improve the quality of governance in the country, upon which depended the protection of human rights.



Speaking of the duties of the State, the Chairperson said, “The responsibility of the State is to protect human rights and the State is accountable for all the violations within its jurisdiction, not only those attributable to the State agents, but also those relatable to the non-State players. The emerging principle of human rights jurisprudence has been applied by the Commission in determining the State responsibility.”



Making a special reference to children, Justice Verma said, “The right to development is the most basic human right of every child, and education is the most effective tool for human development. That right of the child must be honoured and respected the most.”



The message of the UN Secretary General, Mr. Kofi Annan, on the occasion of Human Rights Day was read out by Mr. Rajiv Chandran of the United Nations Information Centre, New Delhi. In his message, the Secretary General called for ‘respect for the international rule of law.’ He appealed to all governments, communities and individuals to recommit themselves to the universal application of the rule of law.



In his comments, the President, Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam observed that, today, human rights were being attacked in proxy wars that respected no humanitarian considerations. These proxy wars were being fought between nations using smaller groups. The world in the 21st century was being haunted by international terrorism.



The President added that “The human rights of the present generation were being suffocated by their backwardness-induced economic status, by caste differentiation, or by the denial of timely justice at affordable cost.



Speaking of the “empowered human life”, the President said “When the child is empowered by the parents, at various phases of growth, the child gets transformed into a responsible citizen. When the teacher is empowered with knowledge and experience, good young human beings with value systems take shape. When an individual or a team is empowered with technology, transformation to higher potential for achievement is assured. When the leader of any institution empowers his or her people, leaders are born who can change the nation in multiple areas. When women are empowered, a society with stability gets assured. When the political leaders of the nation empower the people through visionary policies, the prosperity of the nation is certain. When religion transforms into a spiritual force the people become enlightened citizens with a value system.”



The President observed that an empowered mechanism for human rights protection would ensure the survival of a prosperous democracy. He also emphasized the important role of the judiciary, both through the making of judicial pronouncements and in the enforcing of law. He added that the process of interpreting social, political and economic rights has to ensure that a wholesome life with dignity is sustained. In this effort, he said, “The National Human Rights Commission becomes the eyes and ears and an impartial authority and works hand in hand with the judiciary.”



The President stated that “the majesty of human rights has to be maintained with magnanimity and magnificence. An empowered National Human Rights Commission therefore becomes an inviolable role model, and an incorruptible ideal of a civilized society.”



On the occasion, the President also released the inaugural issue of the Journal of the National Human Rights Commission, India, 2002 and the NHRC Calendar for 2003.



This was followed by an interaction of the President with a number of school children who were specially invited to the function. They included senior students of Sardar Patel Vidyalaya, New Delhi, who constituted a choir that sang on the occasion.