Annual Report - National Human Rights Commission

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Review of Laws,
Implementation of
Treaties and other
International Instruments
on Human Rights
A] Review of Laws
1] Child Marriage Restraint Act, 1929
17.1 It is a well known fact that child marriages are still prevalent in certain
parts of the country, especially in Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh,
Jharkhand, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. It is on Akshya Tritiya, popularly known
as Akha Teej, when hundreds of child marriages are openly performed despite
the fact that the Child Marriage Restraint Act was enacted in 1929 and later
amended in 1978. Given the ramifications it has on the rights of children,
particularly girl children, the Commission, since its inception, has continued to
focus its attention towards eradication of this problem. In its preceding annual
reports, the Commission had reported that the draft Child Marriage Restraint
Bill recommending substantial changes in the Child Marriage Restraint Act,
1929 was sent to the Department of Women and Child Development, Ministry
of Human Resource Development, Government of India for consideration. A
copy of the draft Bill was also forwarded for information to the Ministry of
Home Affairs and Ministry of Law and Justice, Government of India. The draft
Bill was also sent to all the State Governments and Union Territories inviting
suggestions/objections, if any.
17.2 In order to discuss the amendments/recommendations made in the
draft Bill, the Commission convened a meeting on 22-02-2005 under the
chairmanship of Dr. Justice A.S. Anand, Chairperson of the Commission.
Meanwhile, the Legislative Department, Ministry of Law and Justice,
National Human Rights Commission Annual Report - 2004-2005
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7/17/06, 6:30 PM