Shri Ram Nath Kovind, Former President of India to be the Chief Guest on 30th Foundation Day of National Human Rights Commission

Press Release

National Human Rights Commission

New Delhi, 11th October, 2023

CURTAIN RAISER

Shri Ram Nath Kovind, Former President of India to be the Chief Guest on 30th Foundation Day of National Human Rights Commission

More than 22 lakh cases resolved and Rs. 230 Crores recommended as relief to the victims of human rights violations during its 30 years journey

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), India is organizing a function to celebrate its 30th Foundation Day on the 12th October, 2023. On the occasion, the Chief Guest, Shri Ram Nath Kovind, former President of India will address several national and international dignitaries in the presence of NHRC Chairperson, Justice Shri Arun Mishra, Members, Dr. Dnyaneshwar M. Mulay, Shri Rajiv Jain and Secretary General, Shri Bharat Lal. The Foundation Day celebrations are a reminder of the Commission’s commitment to the cause of protection and promotion of human rights.

During the 30 years of its journey, the Commission has resolved more than 22 lakh cases and recommended the payment of monetary relief of more than Rs. 230 Crores to the victims of human rights violations. It has conducted numerous spot investigations, open hearings, and camp sittings. Reviews of innumerable bills and laws, conferences and research projects, twenty-eight Advisories, as well as more than 100 publications, including monthly newsletters, thousands of media reports, and engagements in international forums bear testimony to the work of the Commission towards the promotion and protection of human rights.

The twenty-eight advisories issued by the Commission include among others, the Right to Food, Right to Health and mental Health, Rights of the Informal Workers, Upholding the Dignity of the Dead, Rights of Truck Drivers, Environmental Pollution and Degradation, Advisory for ensuring the welfare of Transgender Persons, Advisory to mitigate Deliberate Self Harm and suicide attempts by prisoners and Advisory to Prevent, Minimize and Mitigate Ocular Trauma.

During the last one year w.e.f. 1st October, 2022 to 30th September, 2023, the Commission disposed of more than 89,000 cases and recommended more than Rs.16 crore monetary reliefs to the victims of human rights violations. It also registered 123 cases suo motu during this period.

The Commission is actively caring for all 47 Government mental health hospitals across the country, rights of destitute widows, the criminal justice system, disability, seafarers, LGBTQI; National Conference of CSAM and Mental Health has been organized in the last few months. The Commission directed food distribution to Chakmas in the village of Vasni. It investigated post-poll violence in West Bengal on the order of the Calcutta High Court. The Commission also investigated the Hooch tragedy in Bihar; finally, the State issued an order to provide compensation of Rs. 4 lakh to each, who died after 2016. In the cases of Manipur ethnic violence in recent times, the Commission has directed compensation to be paid further to rehabilitate the victims, offer compensatory employment to the next of kin of the deceased, promote harmony, prevent the communities from resorting to violence and maintain peace.

The Commission has issued notices to various sports bodies to establish Cells to deal with cases of harassment of women in the workplace. It has been issuing directions regularly to provide free housing as per the Government scheme to thousands of homeless persons. Victims of communal riots and internal conflicts are compensated. The Commission constantly endeavours to rehabilitate persons displaced due to natural disasters, land acquisition and other causes. In the cases of suicide by debt-ridden farmers, the Commission successfully intervened.

Some of the other important interventions of the Commission include recommending amendments in 97 laws, which are discriminatory to the person with Hansen's disease. The Government has enhanced compensation for bonded labour on the basis of NHRC advisory at the pre-trial stage.

The Commission has also been playing an active role at international human rights forums including the Asia Pacific Forum of National Human Rights Institutions, Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI), and UN Human Rights Council, among others with the participation of the Chairperson, Members, and senior officers. Last month, it successfully hosted a two-day conference of the NHRIs of Asia Pacific.

The Commission has also proactively engaged with the NGOs, and Human Rights Defenders. Twelve Thematic Core Groups involving various experts have helped the Commission to formulate mechanisms to evaluate the schemes initiated by the Govt. and make recommendations thereof. The Special Monitors and Special Rapporteurs who are the eyes and ears of the Commission are adding value to the mandate of the Commission.

The Commission has taken several new initiatives to expand its outreach including linking its HRCNet Portal with all the State authorities and the majority of State Human Rights Commissions. Any person can file complaints directly through online mode in a fast and efficient manner and can track the real-time status of their complaint on the Commission’s portal. The online complaint filing system is also linked with over five lakh Common Service Centers and the National Government Services Portal.

The Foundation Day function will be followed by a one-day conference of State Human Rights Commissions, Special Rapportuers and Special Monitors on 13th October, 2023 on various issues concerning human rights.

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