NHRC holds open hearing of human rights cases in Gujarat

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) today began a two-day open hearing session here for cases of human rights violations, including those of SC/ST victims, in Gujarat and the adjoining Union Territories of Daman & Diu and Dadara & Nagar Haveli.

The commission will take up about 155 cases during the 'open hearing and camp sitting', which began at the Gujarat Police Academy in Karai village near here, Additional Director General of Police, SC/ST Cell, P B Gondia said.

NHRC chairman Justice (retd) H L Dattu inaugurated the two-day camp and said the commission was trying to persuade states to introduce human rights education in schools and universities to create awareness about it among people.

The 155 cases from various parts of Gujarat and the Union Territories will be heard separately by Justice Dattu and three NHRC members - Jyotika Kalra, D Murugesan and P C Ghose.

Tomorrow, the NHRC chairman and other members will hold a joint sitting for some of the important cases, Gondia said, adding that senior government officers, like collectors and IPS officers, would be present during the public hearing.

Justice Dattu said that apart from the open hearing, the commission would discuss with the state government various other human rights issues, such as of patients suffering from silicosis (lung disease caused by inhalation of crystalline silica dust in stone quarries) and the issues faced by elderly citizens.

The former Chief Justice of India stressed on working to improve the human rights.

"We need to ensure more effective provision of public service and basic facilities to the people, particularly the marginalised communities. I am sure that an open hearing will provide us an opportunity to deliberate on human rights issues in Gujarat and the Union Territories," he said.

The government programmes like the MNREGA (Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act) and the Public Distribution System (PDS) "must be implemented honestly and adequately" to ensure well-being of those who grapple with poverty and lack of livelihood opportunities, he said.