HUMAN RIGHTS DAY: CURTAIN RAISER

The Human Rights Day is observed on the 10th December every year. On this day in 1948, the General Assembly of the United Nations adopted and proclaimed the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). The Declaration is recognition of the fact that the inherent dignity and the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family are the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world and reaffirmation of faith of the peoples of United Nations in the fundamental human rights.
To mark the Human Rights Day, the National Human Rights Commission of India is organizing a programme on the 10th December, 2010 in New Delhi and releasing its publications.
This year the Human Rights Day is dedicated to the Human Rights Defenders who play a vital in the fight against discrimination. The Human Rights Defenders in their efforts to protect the human rights of others often face personal risks to them and their families. It is the duty of everyone to protect the rights of the Human Rights Defenders also.
The National Human Rights Commission of India is concerned about the rights of Human Rights Defenders and organized a Workshop on Human Rights Defenders in October, 2009 with an objective to share difficulties faced by them and suggest appropriate remedial measures. The conference has come out with a number of recommendations for protection of the Human Rights Defenders which are being acted upon.
The Commission has set up a Focal Point, which may be accessed by the Human Rights Defenders any time and it helps for speedy action on their complaints. The Human Rights Defenders can access the Focal Point through phone, fax and email. Their cases are also monitored or regular basis and the status of the complaints from Human Rights Defenders is available in the NHRC website separately.
Several organizations, NGO's and Media in particular have played an important role in spreading awareness about these rights. However, a lot more needs to be done to make people understand their human rights and familiarize them with these. They need to promote them for their protection as well as of fellow beings.
The National Human Rights Commission of India was constituted under the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993 for better protection and promotion of human rights. The human rights as defined in Section 2(1) (d) of the PHR Act are the rights relating to life, liberty, equality and dignity of the individual guaranteed by the Constitution or embodied in the International Covenants and enforceable by courts in India. Its functions include enquiring suo motu or on petitions into complaints of violations of human rights, review safeguard provided under the Constitution or any law and study laws, treaties and other international instruments of human rights and make recommendations for their effective implementations, undertake and promote research on human rights issues, spread human rights awareness and encourage efforts of non-governmental organizations working in the field of human rights.
During the last 17 years, the Commission has endeavoured to promote a culture of human rights. The Commission has earned the trust and confidence of the people in substantial measure given the number of complaints it is receiving each year. Till 30th November, this year, it has received 1006863 complaints.
During the year from the 1st April to the 30th November, 1064 cases of custodial deaths which include 954 cases of death in judicial custody, 107 cases of death in police custody and 3 cases of death in the custody of para-military forces were reported to the Commission by the concerned authorities. The Commission recommended monetary compensation of Rs. 3,22,10,000/- (Rupees three crore twenty two lakhs ten thousand only) in 172 cases of custodial deaths. During the period, 172 cases of custodial deaths were dealt with including 127 cases of death in judicial custody and 45 cases of death in police custody.
NHRC took up several initiatives to promote and protect human rights. Direct interaction with the field level functionaries in 28 selected districts, one in each state, with a view to spread human rights awareness and also to facilitate better assessment of enforcement of various measures related to human rights at grassroots level in the administration is one such programme which the Commission is pursuing. So far, human rights awareness programme has been conducted in 15 districts.

Some of the other important events include three types of training module on human rights for police personnel which are being developed in collaboration with IGNOU. MoU on this was signed on 30th December, 2009. The issue of spurious drugs, quacks and lack of healthcare facilities in tribal areas was discussed at a conference of the senior officers of the State and UTs and other stakeholders on 29th January, 2010. Mental health review meetings were held for five zones South, East, West, North-East and Central during the current year. It was felt that despite some progress made a lot needs to be achieved to strengthen mental care infrastructure in the country. The Commission also organized a seminar in Hindi in Cochin, Kerala on 30th July, 2010 on the subject of the 'Concept of Panchayati Raj and Human Rights.' On 12th October, 2010, NHRC observed its Foundation Day and also organized a conference on 'Pre-natal sex selection; issues and concerns.'
The Commission has constituted an expert group on Silicosis to devise strategies for dealing with a problem. Silicosis, a fibrotic lung disorder caused by inhalation, retention and pulmonary reaction to crystalline silica, a major portion of earths crust and exposure occurs during mining, stone crushing and quarrying. A Core Group has been constituted on the Protection and Welfare of Elderly Persons to review existing governments policies, laws/rules/orders etc. and other material from human rights perspective and make an assessment of current status of enforcement of the rights of the elderly in different States/UTs in India.
In addition to this, the Commission organized debate for para-military forces and children's painting competitions related to human rights issues during the year so far.
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