Manipur joins world on human rights day
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, December 10 2020: The State today joined the world in observing the International Human Rights Day during which the importance of respecting and upholding human rights was underscored at length.

Speaking as chief guest at the International Human Rights Day observation held at 1st MR Banquet Hall under the aegis of Manipur Human Rights Commission (MHRC), Law and Legislative Affairs Minister Th Satyabrata asserted that Manipur would become a peaceful and progressive State when the rights entitled to each and every citizen are protected and respected.

He said that human rights are the vital necessities of mankind and they are the foundation of mankind's freedom.

Observing that human rights violation generally occur between stronger sections and weaker sections, Satyabrata appealed to one and all to respect and uphold human rights of every section of the society without any discrimination against women, children and weaker sections.

Noting that cases of human rights violation seem to be declining in the State during the last couple of years, Satyabrata hailed the incumbent Government for this positive change.

Highlighting the importance of educating all the people about human rights, he appealed to the organisers of the function to add human rights related items while observing International Human Rights Day from next year.

In his presidential speech, MHRC acting Chairman Khaidem Mani said that human rights are indispensable necessities of human life.

For any person to live with dignity, he/she must know human rights and they should have the strength and capability to fight back effectively when anybody challenge their rights, Mani said.

During the short period of just two years since MHRC was revived, the commission took up around 375 cases including many individual cases.

It is a matter of grave concern, that many people are not bold enough to fight individual cases for their rights, observed the MHRC acting Chairman.

Basically, all political systems and Governments are there to protect and uphold human rights.

The Government's failure to ensure human rights, absence of doctors at hospitals/health centres are all related to human rights and complaints can be lodged at the MHRC regarding such deprivations, Khaidem Mani said.

Talking about the establishment of the United Nations Organisation and adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), he said that the UNO was set up by 58 countries on October 24, 1945 in the aftermath of the Second World War with the primary objective of protecting human rights.

Subsequently, the third UN General Assembly held on December 10, 1948 adopted a 30-point charter related to human rights and this day is observed as the International Day of Human Rights across the world, Mani said.

Accepting the UDHR as the fundamental principle for protecting human rights, most countries enshrined the declaration in their respective Constitutions, he said.

Following repeated observations and comments given at the UN in 1991, 1992 and 1993 that India was not giving due importance to protection of human rights, the Government of India enacted the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993, he said.

It was under the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993 Jhat the National Human Rights Commission and State Human Rights Commissions were set up.

Subsequently, the Manipur Human Rights Commission was set up on June 27, 1998, he continued.

He then lamented that the Chief Minister is yet to fulfil his assurances to look into the basic requirements of MHRC.

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