Important intervention

NHRC's statement for suitable modification in Section 377 of the IPC to protect the rights of LGBT
"The NHRC has noted with concern the public response to the recent Supreme Court judgment in view of the fact that human rights of a section of society are involved in this matter.
In 2009, by judgment of Delhi High Court, it was held that Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), which criminalizes consensual sexual acts of adults in private is violative of Article 21, 14 and 15 of the Constitution. The High Court was of the view that Section 377 of the IPC grossly violates the rights of citizens who are lesbians, gay, bisexual or trans-genders. The above view has now been reversed by the Supreme Court. The NHRC is of the view that all people regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity, should be able to enjoy their human rights. The Commission, therefore, appeals to the Government to urgently take all necessary legislative treatment on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity so that no individual or a group of people is deprived of their human rights. Section 377 of the IPC should be suitably modified to achieve the above object."
Non-release of prisoners after completion of their sentence
The National Human Rights Commission has taken cognizance of complaints that six prisoners of conscience were languishing in the Gulbarga Jail of Karnataka even after completing 14 years sentence for murder and that a human rights activist, Bhai Gurbaksh Singh Khalsa, was on a hunger strike since the 14th November, 2013 demanding their release. It has issued notices to the Director General (Prisons) and Superintendent, Gulbarga Jail, Karnataka calling for a report. The Commission has also asked its Registry to inform Bhai Gurbaksh Singh Khalsa about its directions.
NHRC to States: sensitize Government functionaries about the problems of NGOs and Human Rights Defenders
The National Human Rights Commission has written letters to the Chief Secretaries of all States/UTs requesting them to sensitize their functionaries about the problems being faced by NGOs and Human Rights Defenders, who, it said, should be treated as partners in bringing about a change in the human rights environment.
The letter says that the NGOs and Human Rights Defenders have informed the Commission that the environment in the States was not conducive to their work. They alleged that functionaries of the NGOs and Human Rights Defenders were being threatened and sometimes physically manhandled by the State authorities. As a result, they were living under constant fear of implication in false cases. The Commission had also discussed these issues with State authorities during its Open Hearings and Camp Sittings.