NHRC’s recommendations on the “Effects of Corruption on Good Governance and Human Rights”.

NHRC held a two-day National Conference on Corruption and Good Governance on May 9 and 10, 2006. After deliberations, the Commission has recommended that there is an urgent need to

· Generate greater awareness among the people of India about economic, social and cultural rights and highlight the manner in which corruption impairs and affects their rights.
· Lay emphasis on Human Rights value education through awareness and sensitization programmes all over the country. In this regard, the NGOs and the civil society be inducted and they could play a major role and act as a bridge between the citizens and the public services institutions thereby replacing the existing intermediaries.
· Ensure that the laws that deal with the problems of corruption are interpreted, implemented, executed effectively and expeditiously in the country by the legislature, the judiciary and the executive. Simultaneously, there is need to enforce prompt and effective punishment for act(s) of corruption.
· Set up an exclusive fast track courts to deal with cases of corruption. Similarly, there is also a need to review the existing laws and enforcement mechanisms that deal with the scourge of corruption and remedial improvements/amendments, if necessary, may also be carried out to the existing law in this regard.
· Evolve a system of providing immunity and witness protection to all those who expose cases of corruption, i.e., the defenders of human rights. One-way of ensuring this is to enact an Act for their safety e.g. Whistle Blowers Act etc.
· Bring about technological advancement in all public institutions and departments of the government by introducing toll-free lines, websites, e-governance, transparent, time bound actions and SMS based applications to reduce corruption.
· NHRC should play rather more proactive role in bringing the issue of corruption at center stage. It should also act as a catalyst in creating good governance and corruption-free society.
· Amend the Constitution of India by adding one more clause to Article 51 A, that deals with the Fundamental Duties stating therein that nobody should indulge in any corrupt practices.
The Report including recommendations are to be sent to the Union Government and concerned Ministries, State Governments, UTs, all SHRCs and all participants.