The Human Rights Defenders Alert – India (HRDA) has sought the intervention of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) in the case related to the use of the words, ‘human rights,’ by organisations.
In a letter sent to K.G. Balakrishnan, Chairperson, NHRC, national working secretary of the HRDA Henri Tiphagne said that the commission should immediately intervene in the case before the Madras High Court “in pursuance of its own mission” and protect the rights of genuine human rights defenders. It claimed that over 142 criminal cases had been registered in 18 districts and 33 persons remanded in judicial custody for using the words, ‘human rights.’
‘Humiliated’
Some of those remanded in custody were “humiliated by the use of fetters, contrary to the Supreme Court guidelines,” it said.
The position of the NHRC with regard to organisations misusing its name or that of the State Human Rights Commission should be placed before the High Court to ensure a modus operandi for handling illegal efforts by some members of civil society calling themselves human rights organisations and protect genuine human rights defenders, it said.
While stating that the State had a responsibility to prevent misuse of the words, ‘human rights,’ by organisations that were not genuine, the HRDA pointed out that some of them claimed to be ‘national/international/world’ organisations.
Therefore, the NHRC should intervene to assist the High Court by making its position clear on the use of its name or logo, by referring to the three circulars issued by it between 2009 and 2013.
This would also ensure that the rights of genuine human rights organisations and defenders were not violated in the State, it said.
