COMMEMORATION OF 65 TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE

UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS

- A special report

West Bengal Human Rights Commission organized a programme in the auditorium of Sesquicentenary Building , High Court, Calcutta on 10 th December, 2013 to commemorate the 65 th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Mr. Somnath Chatterjee, Hon'ble Former Lok Sabha Speaker graced the occasion as the Chief Guest and the Hon'ble Mr. Justice Ashim Kumar Banerjee of High Court, Calcutta graced the occasion as the Special Guest. Hon'ble Mr. Justice (Retd.) Asok Kumar Ganguly, the Chairperson of West Bengal Human Rights Commission presided over the programme.

Before, the programme started, the whole audience observed one minute's silence to pay respect to the departed soul of Great Statesman and Bharat Ratna Nelson Mandela who passed away on 06/12/2013.

Shri Laima Chozah, the Secretary & CEO of the Commission presented the welcome address and recited the Human Rights Pledge.

Mr. Somnath Chatterjee, Hon'ble Former Lok Sabha Speaker said, “if the government authorities ignore or defy the Commission's decisions or directions or view them as mere recommendations it will strike at the very objective of setting up Human Rights Commissions.” Mr. Chatterjee also said, “referring to an assumption in certain quarters that recommendation of the rights panels need not be enforced by the state Govt., it cuts at the very root of the enactments of Human Rights Legislation.” Mr. Chatterjee further said, “there are adequate provisions in the protection of Human Rights Act, 1993 that makes it incumbent of the concerned Govt. to implement the recommendations.” Mr. Chatterjee emphasized that Commission should start necessary judicial proceedings against the authorities concerned over recommendations not being implemented.

Hon'ble Mr. Justice Ashim Kumar Banerjee ratified the speech delivered by Mr. Chatterjee.

Hon'ble Mr. Justice (Retd.) Asok Kumar Ganguly, the Chairperson said that no effort to protect Human Rights went in vain and even if recommendations were not accepted it created awareness in society. Hon'ble Mr. Justice Asok Kumar Ganguly by referring to the ideals of Mahatma Gandhi and Nelson Mandela said, “no fight for Human Rights is in vain and those who fight for Human Rights have to pay a price. Those who try to uphold Human Rights have also got to pay a price.”

Hon'ble Justice (Retd.) Chittatosh Mukherjee, the first Chairperson of West Bengal Human Rights Commission, Hon'ble Judges of High Court, Calcutta , other High Dignitaries attended the programme.

Shri Rabindranath Samanta, Registrar conducted the programme as compere. Sri Samanta also presented vote of thanks.

© Shri Rabindranath Samanta, Registar, West Bengal Human Rights Commission, 2013