Terrorism greatest threat to human rights: CM

Kolkata, Dec 10 (UNI) Terrorism has become the greatest threat world wide to human rights and all should come forward to tackle the menace, Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee said today.

Inaugurating a programme to mark the 59th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights here, the Chief Minister said like other countries India also witnessed terrorist activities, which was a matter of concern and gross violation of human rights.

Mr Bhattacharjee said the country was facing threat from militants belonging to eastern region and urged the Centre to take all possible measures to contain insurgency.

He said apart from taking measures to check militancy there should also be concerted efforts to alleviate poverty and provide food, employment and health facilities to all denial of which was tantamount to violation of human rights.

''Though the country experienced serious violation of human rights during the periods of Emergency and demolition of Babri Masjid, we are proud of our democratic practice which ensures upholding of the spirit,'' Mr Bhattacharjee observed.

He claimed that cases of human rights violation were less in numbers in West Bengal compared to other states and reminded that West Bengal Human Rights Commission was the first such commission in the state level.

Mr Bhattacharjee informed that out of 15 recommendations of West Bengal Human Rights Commission, the state government had accepted nine and others were under consideration.

UNI