NHRC chairman asks K’taka govt to file reports on human rights cases in the state

• State Human Rights Commission without chairman since 5 years

Bengaluru: “The state governments should file ATRs on NHRC recommendations. I would appreciate an update on this issue by the Karnataka government after these two-day open hearings” said the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) Chairman and former Chief Justice of India, HL Dattu, addressing a gathering in Bengaluru.

Since SR Nayak, the first Human Rights Commissioner, left office in 2012, the State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) does not have a chairman for five years and hence the Karnataka government has filed to file the mandated Action Taken Report (ATR) regarding human rights violation cases for the past two years.

“Atrocities against SC/ ST communities is a very serious issue and proactive measures taken by the States to fight against such atrocities and ways it takes to ensure welfare schemes should be there for everybody to see,” added Mr. Dattu.

Custodial torture, death, rape, death in encounters, illegal detentions, police excesses and other violations are registered under KSHRC.

Department like a toothless tiger

“Basically, the approach in Karnataka regarding human rights, women and child rights seems to be callous. It is not that other states may be dramatically better in this regard just because they have filed the report. But first and foremost, if the ATR is filed, it means there is a little bit of concern and seriousness. The state commission alone is not to blame as even SR Nayak during his tenure had repeatedly told open forums that there is no infrastructure, no staff and nothing. It’s like a toothless tiger,” said KS Vimala, a women’s rights activist and former head of the state unit of the Janavadi Mahila Sanghatane.

“I think governments should take cognizance of these commissions like these as they are of great importance. These are statutory bodies which need to be in place. At no point of time, people in need should be left in the lurch and are left with a reply like ‘we do not have a chairperson so we cannot help you’.  These commissions are not like any other boards or corporations and every vacancy needs to be addressed the moment it arises,” said Kripa Alva, former Chairperson of the Karnataka State Commission for Protection of Child Rights.

Vacant posts to be filled

Karnataka Minister of Social Welfare, Priyank Kharge, acknowledged the existing situation and said that they had written to the KSPC (Karnataka Service Public Commission) and the KEA (Karnataka Examination Authority) along with the Finance Department to fill up the posts as per their sanctioned strength.