SPEECH BY HON'BLE PRESIDENT OF INDIA SMT. PRATIBHA DEVISINGH PATIL ON THE OCCASION OF THE HUMAN RIGHTS DAY FUNCTION

New Delhi, 10th December 2007

I am indeed happy to participate in the Human Rights Day function organized by the National Human Rights Commission of India, commemorating the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights by the United Nations in 1948. Every year, more and more people, the world over are gathering to demonstrate their support for the fundamental principles of human rights particularly in democratic states. Human rights and democracy are closely intertwined. The defence of democracy itself means the defence of individual and collective human rights. In democratic societies, fundamental human rights and freedoms are put under the guarantee of law and therefore, their protection becomes an obligation for those who are entrusted with the task of their protection.

Today is also a solemn occasion to seriously introspect about the status of human rights as also the mechanisms and their effectiveness in the implementation of basic fundamental rights, which are inclusive of human dignity, right to food, healthcare, education, shelter and such other things.

Human rights have a direct relationship with human development and therefore, the universality of human rights demands an equitable global order. To achieve this end, the importance of "Right to Development" cannot be over emphasized as a basic human right for all people across the globe. This entails a greater space for development issues on the global agenda, a greater focus on the needs of the developing countries and a greater voice for developing countries in international institutions like the United Nations, the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund.

India has been progressive in recognizing the rights of persons with disabilities. Legislation enacted in the last decade and half has done much to bring the issues of persons with disabilities to the forefront of discourse and planning. The Persons with Disability Act of 1995 and the National Policy for Persons with Disabilities of 2006 are important policy frameworks. I understand that the Government is in the process of updating legislation in consultation with stakeholders throughout the country. The new obligations in the UN Convention should be taken into account while amending the Act.

Human dignity is the backbone of human rights. The Constitution of India proclaims "the dignity of the individual" as a core value in its Preamble. Therefore, it is important that the development process in the country is equitable and that there is a wider spread of the fruits of development. Opportunities for growth for all sections of society in particular for the disadvantaged and vulnerable are important. Disparities should be removed to ensure that needs of everyone are met. Appropriate strategies should be developed to achieve this result. It is only when the potential of all human beings is fully realized that we can talk of true human development.

The National Human Rights Commission has, since its establishment in 1993, come to play a pivotal role in the enforcement of the fundamental rights enshrined in our Constitution and sensitizing the State as well as other agencies to the importance of human rights. Its role in India includes investigating alleged violations, conducting public inquiries, exercising advisory jurisdiction, providing advice and assistance to governments and creating awareness. Its contributions in the fields of missing children, child labour, rights of the disabled, rights of the elderly, right to health and good governance have been significant.

India and the Commission have set an example for the rest of the world in the promotion and protection of not only civil and political rights but also in economic, social and cultural rights of its people. In India, we are increasingly following a human rights approach to legislation, policy and programmes. The Indian Criminal Justice System has been made victim-centric. The Commission with its emphasis on custodial justice and issues like preventing sexual harassment and trafficking in women and children in India; to name a few, have been pertinent towards strengthening the Human Rights Jurisprudence in our country. The agenda has shifted from "welfare" to "rights" in the development debate.

In the context of pursuing the objective of development, my foremost concern is about people living in poverty. Poverty is the biggest violator of human rights. Poverty deprives the poor of human rights and basic entitlements like nutrition, shelter, education, health, safe drinking water and other elements of dignified living. Persistence of poverty renders realization of human rights rather illusory. Our foremost endeavour should be to eradicate poverty so as to enhance the access of the poor and the deprived sections to the basic amenities of life and impart to them skills that equip them to find a decent livelihood.

A sustained effort to empower women is essential to deliver on our commitment to ensure equality with respect to political, economic and social rights. Protection of their human rights calls for improved law enforcement and enforcing accountability for those who commit violence and atrocities against women. Rights of women must be protected if a society is to be stable and progressive.

There is a need to disseminate knowledge and awareness about human rights provisions among all stakeholders. It is the people, who know their rights who stand the best chance of realizing them. The media and NGOs can be effective vehicles for spreading awareness about fundamental rights. NGOs should educate people about the rights guaranteed to them under the legal system. In cases where rights have been violated NGOs should help the affected persons in approaching the correct forum for redressal and also support them through the process. There is a social responsibility to ensure human dignity to all. NGOs should look at protecting human dignity as a duty towards fellow human beings.

India's greatest asset is its people. They have and will continue to shape the course of history of our country. They have contributed significantly to all fields of development - be it economic, social or political. Therefore, all efforts should be made to protect the fundamental rights of the people of the country and the human dignity of all, in particular of the vulnerable and the weaker sections of society, by the political establishment, the legal system, the administrative machinery and indeed, by the people themselves. This would generate greater confidence in our citizens about themselves and their faith in the system, open new avenues of growth and make them stronger individuals. They, in turn, would contribute in making India a greater nation and the world a better place to live in.

On this day let us rededicate ourselves to sensitize people about human rights issues and to strive towards promoting a culture rooted in the values of peace, development, tolerance, harmony and universal brotherhood. Let us build a society fully committed to human rights. If human rights institutions, civil society, government, media groups, parliamentarians, the judiciary and opinion makers work in unison and with dedication, the task of ensuring enjoyment of human rights by all will translate into a reality.

Thank you.

JAI HIND