Debate competition of Para-Military Forces<br>

The National Human Rights Commission organized an All-India Debate competition of Inter-Central Para-Military Forces in Hindi and English at SCOPE Complex, SCOPE Convention Centre, Lodhi Road, New Delhi on the 16th November, 2010 in collaboration with the Indo Tibetan Border Police (ITBP).
The topic of the debate competition was "Human Rights can be observed by security forces without compromising national security concerns."
The first prize for debate in Hindi went to Mr. Om Prakash, Constable, BSF and in English to Mr. Avinash Kumar, Assistant Commandant, BSF. The second prize in Hindi went to Mr. Puran Singh, Constable, Assam Rifles and in English to Mr. B. Murugan, Constable, BSF. The third prize in Hindi went to Mr. S.K. Malik, Deputy Commandant, NSG and in English to Mr. Sachin Kumar, Assistant Commandant, BSF. The overall best team trophy went to BSF.
The winners were decided by a three member panel of jury headed by Mr. Justice K. G. Balakrishnan, Chairperson, NHRC and comprising Mr. K.S. Sachidananda Murthy, Resident Editor, the Week magazine and Mr. N.C. Joshi, Former DG, Bureau of Police Research and Development.
Congratulating the winners of the Debate Competition, Mr. Justice K.G. Balakrishnan said that war against terrorism has to be firm and relentless. In the present scenario of growing violence and terrorism, the role of the security forces in protecting and promoting human rights of the people is extremely challenging.
Justice Balakrishnan said that it must be remembered that the fundamental rationale of anti-terrorism measures must be to protect human rights and democracy. Counter terrorism measures should, therefore, not undermine democratic values, violate human rights or subvert the rule of law. He said that the battle against terrorism must be carried out in keeping with international human rights obligations and the basic tenets of the rule of law. If human rights are violated in the process of combating terrorism, it will be self defeating.
Earlier, welcoming the participants and the guests, Mr. R.K. Bhatia, Director General, ITBP said that this debate competition has
been useful in sensitizing the Central Para Military Forces about human rights.
In his concluding remarks, Mr. Sunil Krishna, Director General (Investigation), NHRC appreciated the valued inputs by the participants and congratulated the winners. He also thanked the jury and ITBP for making the event successful.
NHRC has been organizing this debate competition in Hindi and English since 1996. The debate is initially conducted at 8 zonal levels and then the semi final and final rounds are conducted in Delhi. The responsibility to hold semi final and final round is entrusted to one of the Para Military Forces on rotation. This year the responsibility was entrusted to ITBP to hold the debate competition under the aegis of NHRC.