"A terrorist's rights can be curtailed, as human rights do not deny the security forces the right to self-defence. The forces also need the protection of human rights.
"Human rights do not obstruct the security forces from performing their duties. This country and society depends on security forces," Justice Cyriac Joseph, the Acting Chairperson of NHRC said here.
Speaking at an award function of All India Inter-Para Military Forces debate competition, organized by the NHRC in collaboration with the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) here, the Justice said that the rights body "understands and appreciates" the constraints of security forces when it comes to human rights.
"The only point from the human rights perspective is that use of excessive force should be avoided. All that is required from the security forces is that while discharging their duties, they respect the human rights," Joseph said.
The topic of the All India Inter-Para Military Forces debate competition was 'Human Rights Act as a hindrance to the security forces in performing their duties'.
The second prize in Hindi was awarded to Ankit Dubey, Assistant Commandant, CISF, UP Zone while in English, it was bagged by KG Krishna Kumar, assistant Sub Inspector, BSF, North-East.
The third prize in Hindi went to Yogesh Kumar, Rifle Man, Assam Rifles, North-East Zone and in English to Irina Pegu, Sub Inspector, CISF, Delhi Zone.
The winners were decided by a three member panel headed by SC Sinha, Member, NHRC. The other members included Kanwaljeet Deol, former Director General (Investigation), NHRC and Professor B H Desai from Jawaharlal Nehru University.