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New Delhi: Governor of Kerala and former Chief Justice of India (CJI) Justice P Sathasivam on December 10 said excesses of laws, lack of awareness about them and inedaquacies of the legal system and lack of sufficient support from the legal services authorities need to be focused on to ensure protection of human rights in the country He was addressing the Human Rights Day function of NHRC, India, as a Chief Guest in New Delhi. He lauded the role of the NHRC, India, towards Promotion and Protection of Human Rights. However, he said that the Commission should consider approaching Parliament through the government to seek an ammendment in the Protection of Human Rights (PHR) Act to make its recommendation effective. It should be able to execute its recommendations.
Bezwada Wilson, National Convener of the Safai Karamchari Andolan and recipient of Magsaysay award and the guest of honour, said that despite several efforts a lot needs to be done to build awareness about the necessity to recognize the rights and dignity of people working in sanitation area.
Earlier, addressing the gathering Chairperson, NHRC, Justice H L Dattu said that the Commission represents the work, dedication, and relentless spirit that are vital to the realization of the vision we have for our country – a vision of freedom, justice and equity. He expressed confidence that by incorporating human rights as a way of life, a fundamental change can be brought about in to eradicate the scourge of poverty, ignorance, prejudices, and discrimination based on sex, caste, religion, disability and other forms, within our society.
Highlighting the significance of Human Rights Day, Justice Dattu said that let us pledge to re-dedicate ourselves to achieving a just and equitable society by upholding the principles and ideals enshrined in our Constitution and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights for the protection and promotion of human dignity and the inviolable rights of all citizens of the country.
Marking the Human Rights Day celebrations, prizes were given to the winners of NHRC’s Short Films on Human Rights Award Scheme 2016. They included ‘Black & White” by Anuj S R from Kerala, first prize of Rs one lakh, ‘Tumling Street” by Rimbik Das, second prize of Rs 75,000 and ‘Ambrosia’ by Somnath Chakraborty, third prize of Rs 50,000. They were also given a certificate and a trophy each, according to an NHRC release.