NEW DELHI: Decks were cleared in India to setup a national human rights commission. Prime Minister Rao organized a conference of chief ministers of states to get their endorsement of the proposal. A new law will be introduced in parliament in its winter session to facilitate the measure. The conference of chief ministers formed a five-member committee to draft the proposed law by October 31. Rao set the tone for the deliberations in his speech when he said “We cannot have a situation in which human rights are seen to be the preserve of practitioners of terrorism and secessionism while those dealing with the menace courageously in extremely difficult circumstances are falsely condemned for violation of human rights.”
The Prime Minister claimed that action was taken against 230 officers and men of security forces for violation of human rights in Jammu and Kashmir, He did not reveal whether in any of these supposed actions against security forces if anyone had been dismissed from service or his conviction through a court has been obtained, He made no mention at all of any action taken against the security forces for violation of human rights in Punjab.
Referring to deaths in police custody the prime minister remarked that nothing could be more revolting and reprehensible than the betrayal of custodial trust by the guardians of law and those appointed to protect the individuals.
Article extracted from this publication >> September 25, 1992
