Annual Report - National Human Rights Commission

Annexure 14
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Commission has taken up multi-media campaign to spread awareness about human rights and
HIV/AIDS. The Commission has designated a Member of the Commission as the Focal Point
on HIV/AIDS related Human Rights issues.
The practice of ‘organ purchase’ has acquired the dubious dimensions of ‘organ trade’ with touts
operating as middlemen. Concerned by the illegal trade in human organs, which is unethical and
often involves exploitation of poor people and violation of their human rights, the
Commission has suggested a number of remedial measures to be adopted by the State to check
this pernicious practice.
The Commission has been concerned about the plight of dalits and has taken steps towards
protection of their human rights. The Commission has been redressing individual complaints of
atrocities and has been recommending the payment of compensation and action against negligent
public servants, wherever appropriate. The Commission also participated in the Durban
Conference. It has set up a Dalit Cell in 2003 which is looking into complaints of alleged atrocities
against persons belonging to the Scheduled Castes.
Steps for preventing trafficking in young women and children has continued to occupy a high
place on the agenda of the Commission. The Commission and UNIFEM jointly began an Action
Research Programme on Trafficking in Women and Children in India. With the assistance of the
Institute of Social Sciences, a Survey has been conducted in twelve States to study the extent
and magnitude of the problem. Through the Action Research, the Commission proposes to
sensitize the public and the law enforcement agencies to the grave dangers inherent in trafficking
and the need for its prevention. It is the endeavour of the Commission to strengthen laws and
law enforcement processes, punish traffickers, revamp rescue and rehabilitation programmes,
and help NGOs to take advantage of the National Plan of Action of the Government of India for
this purpose. It is also endeavouring to create an authentic database so as to strengthen the
vulnerable groups in the supply zones both economically and socially. Besides, i) a Manual for
the Judiciary on Trafficking in women is being prepared to sensitize Judges on issues related to
trafficking and ii) a joint Project for Combating Cross-Border Trafficking with the National
Human Rights Commission of Nepal is under consideration.
Mr. Chairman,
In exercise of its statutory responsibilities, the Commission has been reviewing legislations which
have an impact on human rights. For instance, the Commission reviewed the draft Protection
from Domestic Violence Bill, 2002 and gave its detailed comments for modifications to the
Department of Women and Child Development, Government of India. The Commission is
presently reviewing the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2000. The
Commission reviewed the Child Marriage Restraint Act, 1929 and suggested many amendments
in the form of the Child Marriage Restraint Bill, 2002 to restrain the practice of child marriages.
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