Page 2 - National Human Rights Commission

Sandeshkhali: Spot instances of 'violation' of human rights, says NHRC

In a spot inquiry into the Sandeshkhali case in West Bengal, the NHRC has flagged "several instances of atrocities", saying it indicates that there was a "violation of human rights" due to "negligence" in the prevention of such incidents. The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), in its report, also observed that the "pervasive fear of reprisal, coupled with the power dynamics at play, acted as a formidable barrier", preventing individuals from voicing their grievances. The rights panel has made several recommendations and sought an action taken report (ATR) within eight weeks on each of the recommendations made therein from the government of West Bengal, the NHRC said in a statement on Saturday. "The Commission's spot inquiry has revealed several instances of atrocities inflicted upon the victims, which clearly demonstrate, prima facie, that there was a violation of human rights due to negligence in the prevention of such violation or abatement thereof by the public servant," it

Police to take strict action, hear each complaint in Sandeshkhali: DGP

West Bengal DGP Rajeev Kumar on Thursday said that police will listen to the complaints of every individual in Sandeshkhali and strict action will be taken against those found guilty. Kumar, who went to Sandeshkhali on Wednesday and stayed there overnight to assess the situation in the troubled areas in North 24 Parganas district of West Bengal, assured of strict action against those found involved in torturing women there. "We will listen to the complaints of every individual. If there is any incident we will take strict action against those found guilty. If people are found involved in torturing, we will take appropriate action against them", Kumar told reporters at Dhamakhali this morning. Kumar, in his first visit to the area, since the protests began, held meetings with ADG South Bengal Supratim Sarkar, Basirhat Police District SP Hasan Mehedi Rehman and other police officers and also visited adjoining islands of Situlia, Sardarpara, Manipur on Wednesday evening to understand t

Condoning terror acts a great disservice to human rights cause: NHRC chief

Terrorism causes grave violation of human rights of citizens in the entire world, and condoning or sympathising with terror acts and terrorists is a "great disservice" to the cause of human rights, NHRC Chairperson Justice (Retd) Arun Kumar Mishra said on Sunday. In his address at an event to mark Human Rights Day at Bharat Mandapam, Justice Mishra also said the ethical ramifications of advancing technologies are "matter of grave concern". The occasion also marked the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar was the chief guest at the event hosted by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) that was attended by several other dignitaries. UN Resident Coordinator in India Shombi Sharp also was present on the dais. Justice Mishra emphasised that "Universal Declaration of Human Rights contain ideals that conform to our values". He also underlined that a "dramatic rise in inequality" and the triple crisis of climate, biodiversity

Climate change impacts human rights, poor suffer most: NHRC chief

NHRC chairperson Justice Arun Mishra on Tuesday said climate change impacts human rights in a big way and the poorest of the poor suffer the most. He was addressing a session on 'Empowering those most affected by Climate Change' at the NHRI COP28 Symposium organised by the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI) in Dubai. There is a need for a safeguard information system for reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation, Mishra said. Climate change impacts human rights in a big way, with melting polar ice, rising sea levels, increased drought, high-density rainfalls, cyclones, floods, landslides and forest fires, and the poorest of the poor suffer the most, the chairperson of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) said. Besides other stakeholders, National Human Rights Institutions have to work to protect the environment and address the needs of people impacted by climate change-induced displacements resulting in violation of human rights

CUSAT stampede: SHRC registers case, seeks report from Kerala govt

The Kerala State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) on Monday registered a case in connection with the stampede at Cochin University's annual tech festival and sought a report from the state government within two weeks. The SHRC has issued a notice to the Aluva Rural SP and the Registrar of the University based on a complaint alleging security lapses in the event. Four people were killed and 60 were injured in the stampede that occurred before renowned singer Nikita Gandhi was to perform at a musical festival in the open-air auditorium of Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT). The complaint before the rights panel alleged that there was only one entrance to the hall which can accommodate 2,500 people. According to officials, the event was an annual festival, and this year it was scheduled to be held from November 24 to 26. The musical event was organised in an auditorium with a capacity of 1,000 to 1,500 people.

NHRC notice to Andhra govt over 'lack of school' in tribal village in ASR

The NHRC on Friday issued a notice to the Andhra Pradesh government over reports that despite requests, authorities have not been able to set up any school in Jajulabandha tribal hamlet in Alluri Sitharama Raju (ASR) district. According to a statement by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), reportedly, as children could not take a walk through six kilometers of rough terrain in the forest to attend school, they prefer to work along with their parents. The NHRC has taken suo motu cognisance of a media report, the statement said. The commission has observed that the content of the media report, if true, raises a serious concern relating to the right to education of the children. Accordingly, it has issued a notice to the chief secretary, government of Andhra Pradesh, seeking a detailed report within four weeks. The commission said it would like to know about the steps taken/proposed to be taken to address the issue raised in the news report as well as other parts of the Stat

As SC examines the issue, a look at status of same-sex marriages globally

The Netherlands became the first country to legalise same-sex marriage when the Dutch parliament passed a landmark bill in December, 2000 allowing the practise

SC mulls State Human Rights Commission role in criminal medical negligence

The top court posted the matter for further hearing after four weeks, and directed pleadings to be completed in the meanwhile.

NHRC issues notices to Bihar, TN on alleged abuse of orphaned children

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has issued notices to the governments of Bihar and Tamil Nadu over the alleged abuse of 12 orphaned children in a madrassa in the southern state. The commission has taken suo motu cognisance of a media report that said two persons have been arrested in Chennai for housing and abusing orphaned juveniles from Bihar. Twelve children were rescued from the madrassa located at Ponniammanmedu, the NHRC said. The commission has issued notices to the chief secretaries of Tamil Nadu and Bihar and the Chennai police commissioner calling for a detailed report in the matter within four weeks. The media report published on December 1 claimed that police had got information through the '1098' helpline that some children are being subjected to harassment and physical abuse in a madrassa at Ponniammanmedu near Madhavaram in Chennai, the NHRC said. It was reported that a criminal case has been registered under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Coder a

NHRC issues notice over death of four while cleaning sewage tank in Haryana

The National Human Rights Commission took suo motu cognisance of a report that four persons died after inhaling toxic fumes while cleaning the sewer tank in Haryana's Faridabad district

Story in numbers: 5 people die in judicial custody every day, shows data

At least 17,146 people were reported to have died in judicial/police custody - nearly five per day, on average - in cases registered in the decade up to March 2020

Bangladesh human rights commission condemns attack on Hindus, demands probe

Condemning the attack on the Hindu community in Bangladesh the country's NHRC has said that communal violence in a "secular country" is not acceptable under any circumstances

Cyclist harassment case: NHRC issues notices to Sports Ministry, SAI

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), which took suo motu cognisance of the matter, sought a detailed report from the ministry's secretary and the SAI director general

NHRC issues notice to Centre, States; seeks reports on farmers stir

The NHRC said that there is an allegation of breach of corona protocols by the agitating farmers at the protest sites

SC dismisses plea seeking directions to fill vacant posts in NHRC

The Supreme Court on Thursday dismissed a plea seeking directions to fill vacant posts at the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC). A bench headed by Justice L Nageswara Rao noted that former apex court judge Justice Arun Mishra has been appointed as the chairperson of the National Human Rights Commission. "In view of subsequent events of appointment of chairman and members this petition has become infructuous," the bench also comprising Justice B R Gavai said. During the brief hearing, the petitioner told the bench that chairperson and members have been appointed and only two posts are lying vacant. The apex court then asked, "Chairperson has been appointed, why should we keep it pending. The matter has become infructuous." The top court was hearing a plea filed by lawyer Radhakant Tripathi seeking a direction to fill vacant posts at the National Human Rights Commission. Justice Mishra is also the first non-CJI to be appointed to the NHRC chief post since the amendment of the

Former Supreme Court judge justice Arun Mishra takes over as NHRC chief

Justice Mishra, who joined as an apex court judge on July 7, 2014, demitted office in September 2020.

Enact special law to uphold dignity, rights of dead: NHRC to Centre, states

The NHRC laid out a range of recommendations for protecting the dignity and the rights of the dead people in the wake of reports of alleged mishandling of bodies of Covid victims

NHRC takes cognizance post-poll violence in Bengal, orders spot inquiry

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on Tuesday took cognisance of the alleged post-poll violence in West Bengal and ordered an investigation fact-finding team to conduct a spot inquiry and submit a report at the earliest, preferably within two weeks.In a statement, the NHRC pointed out allegations of deaths of a few people in the violent incidents."The political workers allegedly clashed with each other, party offices were torched down and some homes were ransacked & valuables also looted. District Administration & local Law & order enforcement agencies appear not to have acted to stop such violation of human rights of the affected persons," the commission said.It further said, "Considering as a fit case of alleged violation of Right to Life of the innocent citizens, the Commission has today taken suo-motu cognizance of the matter and has requested its DIG (Investigation) to constitute a team of the officers of the Investigation Division of the Commission to .

Payment of Rs 1L each to victims of 'custodial torture' in Delhi: NHRC

NHRC has recommended that the Union Ministry of Home Affairs pay Rs 1 lakh each to two victims in a case of "custodial torture" by Delhi police personnel, officials said on Tuesday

NHRC sends advisories to state govts on protecting rights of prisoners

In view of the COVID-19 pandemic, the NHRC has issued advisories to various ministries and states stressing on the need for protection of rights of prisoners, police personnel and informal workers