Acting NHRC chairman calls for protection of all human rights

In a message delivered on the eve of Human Rights Day, Acting NHRC Chairman, Mr. Justice Cyriac Joseph, called on the central and the state governments to discharge their constitutional obligation to uphold and protect human rights.

He also appealed to all citizens to perform their duty to protect human rights, and added that such protection of human rights by a citizen has two dimensions (a) He/she should not directly or indirectly violate the human rights of others and (b) He/she should act as a human rights defender to prevent violation of human rights of others and to protect the victims of any violation of their human rights.

He said there was a need to join hands to create a better society in which the human rights of every individual will be safe and protected.

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights was adopted and proclaimed by the General Assembly of the United Nations on 10th December, 1948. It is to spread awareness about human rights and to motivate people and governments to protect and promote human rights.

This year, the U.N. Human Rights Office is launching a year-long campaign with the slogan: "Our Rights. Our Freedoms. Always."

The National Human Rights Commission was constituted in the year 1993 for better protection of human rights.