NHRC asks state Govts to set up State Human Rights Commission

New Delhi, Sep 1 (UNI) National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) chairperson A S Anand today asked state governments to set up State Human Rights Commission, wherever they are yet to be established, and said good governence can only be achieved if human rights are made the focal point.

''I hope the state Governments would act with all sincerity and set-up the Commissions where they have not yet been set-up...

unless Human Rights are made the focal point, good governance could not be actualised,'' Justice Anand said at the meeting between NHRC and State Human Rights Commissions (SHRCs).

He said the State Commissions play an important role in the effective implementation of human rights standards.

''The State governments need to appreciate that their Commissions act as facilitators and assist them in fulfilling their constitutional obligations and responsibilities for protecting and promoting human rights of the citizens, which are absolute for good governance,'' he added.

He said despite the latest appointments, the total number of SHRCs is only 16 with five Commissions being without Chairpersons.

The State Human Rights Commissions discussed several issues, including custodial violence and prison reforms, healthcare sector, human rights education and gender justice.

After the deliberations, Justice A S Anand, in his closing remarks, emphasised that prison visits have to be effective and prison administration have to take responsibility of an undertrial's health.

''It is not only lack of medicines in jails but also lack of sensitivity among jail officials, which may lead to custodial deaths,'' he added.

Justice Anand said there is need to simplify procedures so that timely medical care is provided to undertrials.

Referring to custodial deaths in UP, Bihar and Maharashtra, he said number of proceedings of NHRC make it obligatory that harm is prevented including self harm in case of those in custody.

He said right to life, food and freedom from hunger are the basic human rights.

UNI NR VA HS1932