New Delhi, Feb 17: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on Thursday held the first meeting of the Common Program Committee. The committee was constituted with the aim to develop a common action program to work in synergy for the promotion and protection of human rights in the country.
The meeting chaired by Justice Arun Mishra, Chairperson NHRC was held in hybrid mode. The Common Program Committee was constituted in the last meeting of the NHRC-SHRCs on October 13 last year with the aim to develop a common action program to work in synergy for the promotion and protection of human rights, NHRC, in a statement, said.
Justice Mishra said that strengthening of SHRCs in terms of manpower, financial and infrastructure resources is necessary and requested all the SHRCs to specifically mention their issues so that the NHRC may take it up with the concerned State Governments.
He said that there are several areas concerning human rights wherein the SHRC may intervene locally. These include issues of environment degradation posing a threat to people’s right to life. He said that water, soil and river pollution deforestation are a matter of concern for sustainable development. The SHRC may highlight such issues and take up with the local authorities for correctional measures to address the challenges related to the climate change right from the grass roots to help evolve, construct and strengthen a nationwide movement.
Several suggestions including creation of a mental health wing in Prisons and Correctional Homes, starting a Human Rights App by all the Commission’s as already put in place by some others, boarding HRCNet portal of the NHRC by all the SHRCs to reduce duplication of complaints and fast tracking and processing thereof were made.
The NHRC Chairperson said that all the suggestions will be further fine-tuned to finalise a common action plan for the promotion and protection of human rights throughout the country.
