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. The UDHR, states in clear and simple terms the rights which belong equally to every person. It envisages that all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights and are entitled to enjoy all rights and freedoms set forth in the declaration without distinction of any kind. Everyone has right to life, liberty and security of person, equality before law and equal protection of law and freedom of thought, conscience, religion, opinion and expression. The declaration enunciates various civil and political rights as also economic, social and cultural rights.

These rights belong to all human beings cutting across race, caste and creed. 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.

To mark the Human Rights Day, the National Human Rights Commission of India is organizing a programme on the 10th December, 2009 in New Delhi and releasing its publications.

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 16 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 Nov, this year, it has received 57,129 complaints.

During the year from the 1st April to the 30th October, 945 cases of custodial deaths which include 875 cases of death in judicial custody, 68 cases of death in police custody and 2 cases of death in the custody of para-military forces were reported to the Commission by the State Governments/UT Administrations. The Commission recommended monetary compensation of Rs.1,27,65,000 in 77 cases of custodial deaths. During the period, 1595 cases of custodial deaths were dealt with including 1456 cases of death in judicial custody and 139 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 12 districts, first at Chamba, Himachal Pradesh and latest at Hoshiarpur, Punjab out of the 28 districts.

Some of the other important events include Workshops on Human Rights Defenders, Bonded Labour and Bonded Child Labour. In addition, the Commission is monitoring the functioning in particular of three mental hospitals at Agra, Gwalior and Ranchi under a mandate received from the Supreme Court. The Commission is also conducting Regional Review Meeting on Mental Health. 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.

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.