SC to hear plea to set up Human Rights Commissions in all states

New Delhi, Sep 28 (UNI) The Supreme Court will hear a letter petition tomorrow seeking directions to the government to set up Human Rights Commissions in all states and Union Territories across the country.

A bench comprising Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan and Justice P Sathasivam will hear the petition tomorrow.

Through the petition, which was sent by post, the petitioner has prayed to the apex court that in view of increasing incidents of Human Rights violations in various parts of the country, there is an urgent need to ensure that no state or Union Territory is without State Human Rights Commission.

The petitioner, whose letter has been treated by the apex court as a writ petition, under Article 32 of the Constitution, has also submitted that since India is a signatory to a large number of International Human Right conventions, including that of United Nations, it is for the government to make sure that the incidents of Human Rights violations are effectively checked, particularly in remote areas of the country.

Setting up of Human Rights Commission in all parts of the country will also create an awareness among the masses of their rights, as the awareness of Human Rights is currently confined to the metropolitan cities in the country.

UNI SC SV RP AS1617