Annual Report - National Human Rights Commission

Summary of Principal Recommendations and Observations
○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○
○
Human Rights and HIV/AIDS
19.28 The problem of HIV/AIDS is of global concern. The medical issues, notwithstanding,
the Commission has been focusing on the human rights dimensions connected therein and,
within the whole range of such issues, the plight of children affected by HIV/AIDS, is most
urgent and cause for worry. The Chairperson of the Commission addressed letters to the Union
Minister for Human Resource Development, Health Minister and Chief Ministers of all States/
Union Territories on 06-09-2004 urging them to take steps to prevent discrimination of such
children in access to education and healthcare. The detailed recommendations made in Para
7.24 need to be implemented to ensure that the problem which is attaining dangerous proportions,
doses not lead to discrimination.
Female Foeticide and Infanticide
19.29 The Commission notes with concern that despite its recommendations made from time
to time, the practice of female foeticide and infanticide continues unabatedly. This undoubtedly
has resulted in sharp decline – nation wide – in the sex ratio of the child population in the age
group 0-6 years. That ratio fell from 945 in 1991 to 927 in 2001. It was particularly disturbing to
note that the sharpest decline was in the comparatively affluent States of Himachal Pradesh,
Punjab, Haryana, Gujarat, Uttaranchal, Maharashtra and the Union Territories of Delhi and
Chandigarh. The Commission once again reiterates that vigorous and comprehensive measures
be taken by all States and Union Territories to put an end to the problem of female foeticide and
infanticide. (Para 7.30)
Quality Assurance in Mental Health (NIMHANS Report)
19.30 On the issue of the implementation of the recommendations made in the report titled
“Quality Assurance in Mental Health”, the Commission would request the Ministry of Health &
Family Welfare, which is already reported to have constituted three appraisal teams under their
Scheme of upgradation/modernization of Mental Health Institutes in the country, to forward the
details of the scheme as requested for by the Commission. (Para 7.34).
Visit to Mental Hospitals
19.31 The Management of the mental hospitals at Ranchi, Agra and Gwalior came under
the scrutiny of the Hon’ble Supreme Court through Writ Petitions (C) No.339/96, No.901/
93, No.80/94 and No.448/94 filed by Social activists. The Hon’ble Supreme Court in its
Order dated 11-11-1997 requested the National Human Rights Commission to be involved
in the supervision of the functioning of these three hospitals. In pursuance of the Order of
the Hon’ble Supreme Court, the Commission has been monitoring the functioning of these
hospitals through its Special Rapporteur. (Para 7.35).
National Human Rights Commission Annual Report - 2004-2005
201
AR-Chapter-1-19-10-6-06.p65
221
7/17/06, 6:30 PM