December -10 Human Rights Day

New Delhi, December 9, 2006

Human Rights Day is observed by the National Human Rights Commission every year on December10. It commemorates the day in 1948, when the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

The National Human Rights Commission is going to celebrate the day this year at Stein Auditorium, India Habitat Centre, Lodhi Estate, New Delhi. The Vice President of India, Shri Bhairon Singh Shekhawat, will be the Chief Guest. As a part of awareness programme of the Commission, the Chief Guest will release NHRC publications containing eight books on different Human Rights issues, one Annual Journal in English and Hindi and a calendar for the year 2007. The books which have been written keeping in mind the University students, aim to inspire, motivate, cultivate curiosity, shape the opinion and enlighten them on the various issues concerning human rights. The overall content of the books consists of milestones at the national and international level, critical analysis of the situation, role of various stakeholders and players and action agenda.

It was on October 12, 1993, the nation laid a solid base for strengthening India's commitment for better protection of human rights by setting up the National Human Rights Commission under the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993. The commission has tried its level best to steadfastly remain focused on the fulfillment of its mandate. During the period from April 2005 to March 2006, the Commission disposed of 80,923 cases. The total number of cases registered in the Commission during this period was 74,444.

Some of the important decisions taken by the Commission recently, include the recommendation of compensation in the infamous Punjab Mass Cremation case. The Commission ordered compensation of Rs. 1.75 lakh to the next of kin of each victims in 1051 cases. Prior to that the Commission had granted a compensation of Rs. 2.50 lakh in each case in respect of 194 victims. Regarding compensation to the remaining 814 claims, the Commission has recommended appointment of a Commissioner of the rank of retired High Court Judge to hold an inquiry with the assistance of the claimants, State Authorities and the petitioners to fix the identity of as many dead bodies and provide monetary relief.

The Commission also recommended extension of Long Term Action Plan for Kalahandi, Bolangir and Koraput (KBK) region in Orissa. The Commission has been dealing with this matter since December 1996, under a mandate from the Supreme Court by carrying out periodical monitoring of relief and development programmes in the region.

This year the United Nation has made "Fighting Poverty: a matter of obligation, not charity" as a focal theme. It may be recalled that the Chairperson of NHRC in his speech on Right to Development at the first Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva in June 2006, had highlighted poverty as the biggest violator of human rights.

The National Human Rights Commission of India has been recently nominated in Bureau of International Co-ordination Committee to represent all NHRIs of the Asia Pacific Forum.


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