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Annual Report - National Human Rights Commission

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Annexure 9 Paras 7.24<br />

Letter of the Chairperson of the <strong>Commission</strong> dated<br />

6 th September 2004 to the Chief Ministers of all<br />

States/UTs regarding protection of <strong>Human</strong> <strong>Rights</strong> of<br />

children infected/affected by HIV/AIDS<br />

D.O.No. 11/6/2003-PRP&P 6 September 2004<br />

Dear Chief Minister,<br />

The <strong>National</strong> <strong>Human</strong> <strong>Rights</strong> <strong>Commission</strong> is deeply concerned about the protection of human<br />

rights of children infected/affected by HIV/AIDS. In March 2003, the <strong>Commission</strong> took<br />

suo motu cognizance and initiated proceedings in the case of Bency (aged seven years) and<br />

her brother Benson (aged five years), who faced discrimination in their access to education<br />

owing to their HIV+ve status in Kerala. In yet another case of similar nature involving<br />

children, the <strong>Commission</strong> intervened to secure justice for Akshara and Anantakrishnan from<br />

Kerala. The <strong>Commission</strong> has also come across instances from other States in which children<br />

were turned away from schools, clinics and orphanages because they and their family<br />

members are HIV+ve. In particular, there was a case of a six-year old girl who has been<br />

asked not to return to the school and was also refused treatment by a local doctor in<br />

Maharashtra.<br />

The <strong>Human</strong> <strong>Rights</strong> Watch, an international non-governmental organization, in its report, “Future<br />

forsaken; abuses against children affected by HIV/AIDS in India” has criticized the Government<br />

for doing “little to protect children already living with HIV/AIDS” and “for virtually ignoring”<br />

the affected children. It is said that children are not an important factor in policy formulation.<br />

The <strong>Commission</strong> recently considered the above report and commends the following<br />

recommendations:<br />

1. Enact and enforce legislation to prevent children living with HIV/AIDS from being<br />

discriminated against, including being barred from attending schools.<br />

2. Address school fees and related costs that keep children, especially girls, from going to<br />

school.<br />

256<br />

<strong>National</strong> <strong>Human</strong> <strong>Rights</strong> <strong>Commission</strong> <strong>Annual</strong> <strong>Report</strong> - 2004-2005<br />

AR-Chapter-1-19-10-6-06.p65<br />

276<br />

7/17/06, 6:31 PM

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