Human Rights Day Message of Mr. Justice K.G. Balakrishnan, Chairperson, NHRC<br>

"Fellow countrymen, greetings to you all on the eve of Human Rights Day which is tomorrow - the 10th December. We all are born free and entitled to basic human rights which manifest in the spirit of live and let live. The Human Rights Day reminds us of basic human rights which find place in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights which was evoked by the United Nations in 1948. The theme of this Universal Declaration is that human rights of all should be respected, protected and promoted. Therefore, the onus lies on us.The National Human Rights Commission since its inception in the year 1993 under the Protection of Human Rights Act has evolved as a bridge between the government authorities and the people of this country in protecting and promoting human rights of all. But no rights come without duties, and therefore, it is the duty of all of us to respect the basic human rights of each other and help build up such an atmosphere in the society where the people express themselves freely and move without fear much in the spirit of our Constitution.
On this solemn occasion, I would like to say that the National Human Rights Commission imbibes and promotes the values of humanity. It has taken number initiatives in recommending guidelines to the government for framing policies on issues which impact the human rights. These include Right to Education, Health, Food and Clean Environment besides Civil and Political Rights. The trust of the people in the Commission reflects in the number of complaints received by it. But at the same time, the rising number of complaints of human rights violations should also be a matter of concern for all in the society and the systems of governance.
Ours is world's largest successful democracy but not without its share of challenges which, among others, manifest in terrorism, naxalism, environment degradation, health hazards, poverty, unemployment, inequality. On behalf of the Commission may I appeal one and all to work for a society where the dignity of human being is not undermined and, the people live peacefully in mutual co-existence in a healthy environment without discrimination.... Jai Hind …."