(a) whether cases of human rights violations have been reported in the country;

(b) if so, the details thereof indicating the total number of such cases reported, accused, arrested and the action taken against them during each of the last three years and the current year, State-wise;

(c) whether the Government has taken any measures to check human rights violations in the country by involving the local people and Non-Governmental Organisations; and

(d) if so, the details thereof and the other steps taken by the Government in this regard?

MINISTER OF THE STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI AJAY MAKEN)

(a) to (d): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.

STATEMENT IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) to (d) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.33 FOR 27.07.2010.

(a): Yes, Madam.

(b): The number of complaints of alleged violation of human rights registered by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) during the period 2007-08, 2008-09, 2009-10 and 2010-11 (up to 20.7.2010), State-wise, is at Annexure. Besides, 14,270 cases were transferred to the State Human Rights Commission for disposal at their end. In 180 cases of proved violation of human rights, the NHRC recommended monetary relief amounting to Rs.2,61,29,500/-. Data regarding persons accused and arrested is not compiled and maintained centrally.

(c) & (d): The local people and the Non Governmental Oraganisations (NGOs) have a vital role in protection and promotion of human rights. The Government has enacted the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993. As per Section 12 (i), the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and State Human Rights Commissions(SHRCs) have been given the mandate to encourage the efforts of NGOs and institutions working in the field of human rights. Under this provision, NHRC/State Human Rights Commissions receive complaints relating to serious violations of human rights from the local people as well as NGOs, which are acting as the eyes and ears of the Commission in the remotest corners of the country.

A Core Group of NGOs has been constituted by NHRC under section 12
(i) of the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993 to encourage the efforts of the Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and institutions engaged in the field of human rights. The NGOs with the help and support of local people provide the Commissions with crucial inputs regarding the hopes, aspirations and expectations of the people. The NHRC/State Human Rights Commissions have had various significant partnerships with the non-governmental organisations on various critical areas of human rights concerns such as Abolition of Bonded Child Labour, Health, Immoral Trafficking etc.

The NHRC organizes workshops, seminars meetings on various human rights issues and also invites NGOs and Civil Society Organisations.

The Chairperson, Members and Senior Officers of the NHRC visit various States to sensitize Government officials and the civil society on human rights issues for promotion and protection of human rights.