CHANDIGARH: The Punjab Government succeeded in keeping hung reds of people away from the United Nations Human Rights Commissioner during his one day visit here by “wrongly” announcing May 5 as the Scheduled day of his visit.

To make up for its faux pas, the Punjab Government came out with fresh advertisements in several newspapers on May 4 announcing that the UN Human Rights Commissioner Would be visiting Chandigarh on May 4 and not May 5 as had been advertised before.

UN Human Rights Commissioner Jose Ayala Lasso, accompanied by a four member team of Indian officials, arrived here last week and told newspapers that he was always scheduled to arrive at Chandigarh on May 4. He described the Punjab Government’s move as unfortunate.

Lasso said that there were some human rights violations in India which need to be set right He refused to elaborate saying that he would divulge his observations in detail in Del On his arrival here, Lasso met some human rights groups and later called on Punjab Chief Minister Beant Singh.

Mr. Lasso met State Government officials including OP. Sharma, Director General of Police (Intelligence), AS. Pooni, Chief Secretary and S.S.Dawra, Secretary, Public Relations with whom he had lunch.

The UN Human Rights Commissioner said in Kashmir he had visited Daudipur, Baramula, Jammu Srinagar, Sopore, etc. where he had meetings with several delegations. He refused to reveal what transpired at these meetings. ‘The Punjab Government in the newspaper fresh advertisements on Thursday said that Lasso would visit Chandigarh on May 4 instead of May 5, staying at Hotel Mount view. The advertisement said local human rights bodies leaders of political parties and representatives of the Press have been invited by him for discussion, It gave out names of three officers along with their telephone numbers who, the advertisement said, would facilitate appointments, “Whoever from amongst. The organizations referred above wants to meet the Human Rights Commissioner, may contact the above,” it said.

However, it is learnt that none of the others mentioned in the advertisement had been informed about his visit. According to sources, the date for the Human Rights Commissioner’s arrival was on purpose mentioned wrongly in the earlier ads.

Article extracted from this publication >> May 12, 1995