NHRC celebrates Human Rights Day through online event

National Human Rights Commission, NHRC, India organized an online function to celebrate Human Rights Day today on the 10th December 2020. Speaking at the event, Chief Guest, Nityanand Rai, Minister of State, Ministry of Home Affairs said that India, in line with the spirit of its Vedic traditions and Constitutional framework, is committed to protecting human rights and strengthening the NHRC.

New Delhi:The National Human Rights Commission, NHRC, India organized an online function at its premises in New Delhi to celebrate Human Rights Day today on the 10th December 2020. Addressing from the Andaman as the Chief Guest of the event, Nityanand Rai, Minister of State, Ministry of Home Affairs said that India, in line with the spirit of its Vedic traditions and Constitutional framework, is committed to protecting human rights and strengthening the NHRC. NHRC Member, Justice PC Pant presided over the function in the presence of Members and senior officers.

Rai said that the rights of the people can be protected when they not only are made aware of these rights but also have access to remedy. In this context, he said that the government is empowering the local Panchayats and focusing on the digitization of services.

The Union Minister lauded the work of NHRC for the promotion and protection of human rights. He made a special reference to the NHRC Covid-19 related Advisories for the protection of the rights of various sections of society.

Earlier, Justice P. C. Pant said that it is a time to reaffirm our commitment that human rights should form the basis of all the State policies.

The UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, in his message on Human Rights Day, read out by Shoko Noda, UNDP Resident Representative in India, called for human rights to be put “ front and centre” of COVID-19 response and recovery globally in order to achieve a better future for people everywhere.

On the occasion, NHRC Journal carrying research-based articles on various aspects of human rights was also released.

Several dignitaries including former Chairpersons and Members of the NHRC, Chairpersons and Members of State Human Rights Commission, representatives of Central and State Governments, UN Bodies, Diplomats Civil Society, NGOs, Media, among others, were invited to attend the function online.