Annual Report - National Human Rights Commission

Annexure 14
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In order to strengthen and consolidate the relationship between the Commission and NGOs, the
Commission has been holding a series of consultations with them, on a regional basis. This has
proven to be of considerable value both to the Commission and to the NGOs, reinforcing their
understanding of each other and their capacity to work together in the furtherance of rights
across the country.
Pursuant to the Commission’s efforts, human rights have been introduced in the curriculum of
educational institutions from school level to the university level. The Government of India also
finalized the National Action Plan for Human Rights Education as part of the observance of the
UN Decade for Human Rights Education 1995-2004. In so far as mass awareness programme
is concerned, the Commission is pursuing the matter with the Ministry of Information and
Broadcasting to have follow-up action initiated on the Action Plan. Seven dossiers on economic,
social and cultural rights were developed by a Bangalore based NGO. The Commission has
extended financial support to this NGO for developing source material for human rights education
in Indian universities and at the school level and for use by grass-root level organizations.
Keeping in view the need to build capacity, change mindset of public servants and thereby
create a human rights culture, the Commission established a Training Division in September
2003. In the period October 2003-March 2004, eleven training programmes have been organized
for the police, civil servants, administrators, university teachers and other key stakeholders. In
the period April-June 2004, seven more training programmes on different facets of human rights
have been planned.
Mr. Chairman,
I am conscious that the struggle for Human Rights is an arduous one. It not only requires vigilance
by various agencies but also sustained cooperation at regional and international levels. Our
finest hour would be reached when human rights are made the focal point of good governance
and are actualised by all and when justice eludes none. Permit me to remind ourselves what the
apostle of peace, Mahatma Gandhi said:
“Peace does not come out of a clash of arms,
but out of justice lived and done.”
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