NHRC criticises lack of sensitivity in dealing with HR issues

New Delhi, Mar 17 (UNI) The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) today severely criticised some state governments for lack of sensitivity in handling human rights issues and asked bureaucrats and police to help protect and promote the rights of citizens.

NHRC chairman Justice A S Anand, while inaugurating a day-long meeting of Chief Secretaries and Directors General of Police, said in many states the bureaucracy and police did not take the initiative to protect and promote human rights.

''Unless bureaucrats and police do not show sensitivity, this sentiment can not percolate to the lower levels...,'' he added.

He said level of sensitivity and absence of promptness in addressing human rights concerns was diminishing.

''This in turn frustrates the efforts of those working for it,'' he added.

Stressing that sensitivity towards human rights issues was important, Justice Anand pointed out that unless human rights were made the focal point, good governance was not possible.

''Good governance is possible only if proper emphasis is laid on human rights,'' he said.

He pointed out that NHRC has been receiving many complaints about the increasing instances of harassment of vulnerable sections of society by the state machinery.

Justice Anand said the purpose of holding the conference was to appreciate and understand each other's point of view and not to find fault.

''The Commission wishes to know what is happening in the protection of human rights from each of the states, which the participants represent,'' he added.

The meeting deliberated on civil and political rights especially crimes committed by people in uniform such as non-registration of FIR and violence being used during investigation while in custody.

It also took up economic, social and cultural rights such as eradication of manual scavenging by 2007, spreading of awareness regarding child marriages, female foeticide, HIV/AIDS, rights of the disabled, trafficking in women and children and right to food.

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