National Seminar on Human Rights in Governance

The Rajasthan State Human Rights Commission organized a National Seminar on “Human Rights in Governance” on 14 May 2002 in Jaipur. Justice Shri J.S. Verma, Chairperson and Justice Smt. Sujata V. Manohar, Member, NHRC were present at the seminar, which was attended by the Chief Minister of Rajasthan, Shri Ashok Gehlot. The seminar led to the adoption of the “Jaipur Declaration on Human Rights” which is as below:

“We, the participants of the National Seminar on ‘Human Rights in Governance’ on this day, the 14th of May 2002 in Jaipur hereby solemnly declare our commitment and dedication to the cause of Human Rights and pledge to –

Uphold the dignity and worth of every individual in every walk of life, especially in places of the public domains so that each one can enjoy the right to life, liberty, equality and dignity.
Protect the rights of the children to survival, development, protection and participation and facilitate social, community and voluntary action to eliminate the curse of child marriage, child labour and child abuse in all its forms.
Promote the right to education for all children especially the girl-child, and banish the curse of ignorance and illiteracy from Rajasthan.
Ensure integrity, transparency and justice in public life and help eradicate discrimination, deceit and domination in all its forms by conscious example and well directed action so as to foster the belief that “law was made to serve all human beings” and that government is the servant, not the master, of the people.
Nurture and nourish the belief in the common good and the spirit of unity and fullness in the human life and where it is discriminated against on the basis of caste, creed, religion, gender or race or any other ground.
Promote the fundamental belief that “People matter and poor people matter the most” in all aspects of public service and public life and that without their participation in governance nothing can be achieved or sustained.
Protect the rights of weaker sections of society, especially the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and the differently abled and pledge to act against untouchability, communal and caste feelings in whatever manner or value it may be and to have social justice and social equality in consonance with human rights.
Develop an effective human rights redressal mechanism in the state, which is need—based and people–friendly and strives to avoid complexity of laws and multiplicity of agencies.
Promote a new culture of legal awareness, advocacy and human rights literacy in the state where everyone has a duty to respect everyone else’s rights and every right implies a duty and responsibility towards others.
We also resolve to renew and review this pledge from time to time”.