Annual Report - National Human Rights Commission

Annexure 14 Para 14.1
Statement of Chairperson, NHRC at the 60 th
Session of the Commission on Human Rights at
Geneva on 14 th April 2004
Mr. Chairman,
Thank you for giving me the floor.
I rise to speak on behalf of the National Human Rights Commission of India of which I hold the
Chair.
Ten years have gone by since the adoption by the UN General Assembly of the Paris Principles,
aimed at constituting National Human Rights Institutions in conformity with them. On the occasion
of the tenth anniversary of these Principles, there is a need to address challenges to the
independence of National Institutions and also address constraints, which come in the way of
their effective operation. The Secretary General of the United Nations, Kofi Annan, in his
programme to strengthen United Nations human rights activities, has called for greater attention
to be given to the strengthening of national human rights protection systems in each country. All
concerned, both in the Government and outside, need to be sensitized about the need to
scrupulously adhere to the Paris Principles.
Mr. Chairman,
We are living in difficult times. The recent terrorist act in Madrid on 11 March 2004 and prior to
that a number of international terrorist acts including the assassination of the then High
Commissioner for Human Rights, Sergio Vieira de Mello in Iraq were issues of deep concern to
all of us. India also has been a victim of terrorist attacks, with attacks occurring against democratic
institutions like the Parliament, the Jammu & Kashmir State Legislature, places of worship and
other facilities used by civilians. These bring into sharp focus the need to balance security concerns
and the protection and promotion of human rights. The National Human Rights Commission of
India examined the issues both of terrorism as a factor that inhibits the enjoyment of human
rights as also adherence to human rights standards in the fight against terrorism, on several
occasions.
I believe that the oft-repeated saying, ‘one man’s terrorist is another man’s freedom fighter’ is
but one manifestation of the widespread confusion about the morality of terrorist forms of violence
and even goes to encourage terrorism. It is wrong to be selective about violation of human rights
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