NEW DELHI: A National convention of voluntary organizations has alleged that the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), setup by the government this September, is deliberately designed to be totally toothless, and is merely a cosmetic exercise aimed at pleasing foreign lenders.
Addressing newspersons here on Dec.6, activists from various civil rights bodies pointed out that the NHRC: Cannot investigate offences of the army and paramilitary forces; +has no independent investigating agency, and must rely on police.
Cannot investigate complaints relating to offences committed over a year prior to the date of complaint;
Cannot investigate matters pending before other commissions like the SC/ST, Minorities and Women’s commissions;
Government offices can refuse to divulge information to the commission on the ground that it is ‘privileged’ information;
*The membership of the NHRC will, be picked by the ruling and Opposition parties, whose commitment to human rights is questionable, and
*It can only recommend; it cannot prosecute or punish.
Punishment, in fact, is the real issue, said a member, and instead of further bodies, the existing laws must be strengthened.
The NHRC, set up under the Protection of Human Rights Ordinance, 1993, to look into alleged violations, came in the wake of mounting criticism from countries like the US, which were proposing to link aid with the human rights track record of! The country concerned.
Article extracted from this publication >> December 10, 1993
