The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) concluded its two-day camp sitting at the Sahyadri Guest House in Mumbai on January 12. The camp sitting heard pending cases of human rights violation in Maharashtra. It was presided over by NHRC members Dr. D. M. Mulay and Rajiv Jain. The State authorities and the complainants concerned were asked to remain present at the hearing to facilitate on-the-spot deliberations.
Besides the hearing of cases, the aim of the camp sitting was to sensitize the State Government officials about human rights and also interact with the representatives of the NGOs and Human Rights Defenders.
During the camp sitting, the Commission heard more than 200 cases of violation of human rights. The list of cases included cases of serious violations like deaths due to negligence of the Electricity Department, denial of retirement benefits, alleged negligence in protecting the fundamental rights of people belonging to the ‘Koli’ community, deaths of eleven people in a building collapse, incidents of bonded labour involving child labourers, and deaths in judicial/police custody. The Commission also took up three matters pertaining to the Director General of Shipping and the Shipping Corporation of India.
In seven cases, the Commission recommended payment of compensation. Out of the same, INR 32.5 lakhs has been paid by the State Government in six cases. The State Government has assured payment of compensation in the one remaining case as per orders of the Commission.
Some important recommendations were also made by the Commission to the State of Maharashtra by asking the state to submit reports for speedy disposal of cases. Apart from this, the Commission has recommended formulation of a uniform policy for payment of compensation to the next-of-kin in electrocution death cases.
During hearing, the Commission stressed that prison reform, shelter home upgradation, release of interim compensation to the bonded labourers and other provisions for rehabilitation and final compensation must be undertaken with speed and sensitivity. The Members also advised the Chief Electrical Inspector office to carry out a public awareness campaign regarding safety measures to be adopted to prevent electrocution.
After the disposal of cases, the Commission held an interaction with the NGOs/HRDs. They raised a gamut of issues of human rights violations. These included a patient charter to be followed by hospitals, issues of bonded labourers in the construction sector, migrant labourer deaths due to unfair labour practices, poor conditions of domestic workers and lack of social security. The representatives were informed that they can access the website of the Commission, hrcnet.nic.in for filing a complaint.
The Commission appreciated the work done by the NGOs and Human Rights Defenders in the State of Maharashtra and encouraged them to do their bona fide duty without fear or favour. The Members of NHRC concluded with the observation that the continued partnership of the NGOs and HRDs with the National Human Rights Commission will go a long way in strengthening the human rights regime in the country.
Finally, the Commission also interacted with the media through a press conference about the outcome of the camp sitting in order to have wider dissemination of information on human rights issues in the State and the actions taken by the Commission. Elaborating to the media on how NHRC creates awareness regarding protection of human rights, NHRC Joint Secretary Anita Sinha said the commission undertakes training programs with law interns and college students, Panchayati Raj institutions and NSS and Nehru Yuva Kendra volunteers. It also sponsors research on various issues. Apart from this, initiatives like short film competitions, conferences, workshops help increase awareness regarding human rights.
In its interaction, the Commission thanked the media for its continuous support and assistance in bringing to light human rights violations as many suo moto complaints have been initiated by the NHRC based on reports from the media.
Earlier, in the inauguration of the camp sitting yesterday, Dr. D. M. Mulay, said that the camp sitting is a unique concept which has successfully covered twenty two states in the country. The camp sitting gives an opportunity to the Commission to come to people’s doorsteps and interact with them on a face to face basis. He further expressed that such sittings also allow the NHRC to engage with the State Human Rights Commission and the State government. This enables the NHRC to understand the best practices evolved by various authorities to protect human rights. Creation of awareness among citizens regarding protection of human rights is an important aspect of protection of human rights. The camp sitting aims to fulfil this important aim.
Informing the audience regarding the contribution of the NHRC in protecting human rights, Mr. Mulay said that the commission receives approximately one lakh complaints every year out of which eighty thousand are successfully resolved by the Commission. The Commission has now also enabled online submission of complaints and documents in addition to physical submission. The commission has a very easy system of registering complaints and anyone can register a complaint on behalf of the victim.
In his inaugural address, Rajeev Jain, member NHRC gave various suggestions that can be implemented by the state governments to improve the protection of human rights in the state. Compensation for deaths in judicial custody, creation of a human rights cell, implementation of the Clinical Establishments Act and improvement of mental health institutions are some of them. He also expressed that cases relating to violation of human rights arise even in non-police matters and that the civil administration is an equal player in protection of human rights.
The inaugural ceremony was also attended by Manu Kumar Srivastav, Chief Secretary, Maharashtra,; Justice Shri K.K. Tated, Chairman of Maharashtra State Human Rights Commission; Addl. Chief Secretary (Home) Anand M. Limaye; Manoj Yadava, DG(Investigation), NHRC. Speaking at the Inaugural Ceremony, Anand M. Limaye, Addl. Chief Secretary (Home) informed that State of Maharashtra was proactively involved in promotion and protection of human rights in the State and had recently set up a separate Department for persons with disabilities.
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