By IANS,
New Delhi: Expressing concern at the increasing number of human rights violations in the country, acting chairperson of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) G.P. Mathur said that every individual must take upon himself to defend human rights.
A day-long session on human rights was held as part of the celebrations to mark the 16th foundation day of NHRC. A colourful extravaganza took place in the evening.
“Development with social justice cannot be achieved in absence of respect for human rights. There has to be an enabling environment – legal, political, economic and social – sensitive in the local context for realization of right to development,” Mathur said at the session.
“The extent of various human rights violations across the country is of great concern to every civilised member of society. There is a need for every individual to become an active human rights activist to ensure that the fundamental rights guaranteed by our constitution are not taken away illegally from the people,” he said.
Other prominent speakers at the session included Amod Kanth, chairperson of Delhi Commission of Protection of Child Rights; Henri Tiphagne of People Watch, Tamil Nadu; Justice S.R. Nayak of Karnataka State Human Rights Commission; and members of NHRC.
Among the topics of discussion was obligation of the state and other human rights defenders in protecting human rights of individuals.
“Over the years, the growing number of complaints of human rights violation shows that people are becoming aware about their rights. But more needs to be done,” Mathur said.
After the daylong session, there was a colourful extravaganza in the evening in which artistes as well as members of the commission participated.