DLSAs celebrate Human Rights Day
Dimapur, Dec. 10 (EMN): ‘Around 2000 people’ received information about legal services and facilities available to them. According to the state’s legal service, the street publicity was undertaken by members of the Nagaland State Legal Services Authority with the participation of district legal service authorities during the ten-day Hornbill Festival at Kisama from Dec. 1 to the 10th.
According to a press release on Sunday, judges and panel lawyers and paralegal volunteers from the state and district legal services authority of Longleng, Kohima, Wokha, Kiphire, Mokokchung, Mon, Peren, Dimapur, Tuensang and Phek district took part in the event. They imparted “legal awareness” through counselling and speaking on basic laws, distribution of free legal pamphlets about child labour, rights of senior citizens, Lok Adalat, legal aid etc., and poster campaigns in the tribal Morungs, stalls and vicinity of the festival.
The publicity was given to ‘almost all local attendees at the festival,’ the updates asserted.
The campaigners also introduced legal literature—translated into local dialects—for the first time at the Hornbill festival. An Ao dancer who was a participant in the Hornbill Festival commented that such translated materials would be very helpful especially for the senior citizen and would have faster awareness in the community, according to the updates.
According to the press release: “One dancer from Mon said that that most people don’t know how to read in English which is why such translated literature will be very advantageous for awareness on legal rights. Domestic tourists also commented that they were impressed with legal services rendering legal advices besides free distribution of basic laws for all sections of people child to senior citizens during a festival and they will surely encourage their state to follow suit.”
The Nagaland State Legal Services Authority stall at the Hornbill Festival was inaugurated by Michael Zothankhuma, judge of the Gauhtai High Court on Dec. 1 while a poster campaign was launched by LS Jamir, judge of the Gauhati High Court, Kohima bench on Dec. 4.
Human Rights Day
The district legal services authorities of various districts in Nagaland celebrated Human Rights Day on Dec. 10.
Zunheboto: Zunheboto District Legal Services Authority (ZDLSA) observed International Day of Human Rights besides an advent Christmas programme with the inmates and staff of the district jail of Zunheboto.
Speaking as the resource person at the event, secretary of the ZDLSA Atoka Achumi spoke about the significance of Human Rights Day and its history. He spoke about relevant provisions in the constitution and statutes such as the Human Rights Act enacted for the protection of human rights in India. The resource person further stressed that human rights are basic to one’s existence and dignity in society and cannot be compromised.
Advent Christmas message was delivered by Nitoi, the chaplain of the district jail while a short speech was delivered by assistant jailor, Kumsuto Shohe.
The jail inmates performed a special song for the programme, which was followed by Bible reading by Kiyezu (under trial prisoner).
The Kohima District Legal Services Authority (KDLSA) also observed World Human Rights Day at Sechu Zubza, near Kohima town.
Highlighting a brief history about Human Rights Day and a gist of the legal services authority, Nulhuvolu Rhakho, a panel lawyer of the KDLSA said that Human Rights Day is celebrated annually across the world on Dec. 10 every year. She informed that the date was chosen to honour the United Nations General Assembly adoption and proclamation on Dec. 10 1948 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Nulhuvolu Rhakho, gave an outline of the Legal Services Authority Act, 1987. He said that it was enacted to constitute legal services authorities to provide free and competent legal services to the downtrodden and weaker sections of the society and to organize Lok Adalats on the basis of equal opportunity.
Speaking on the topic Human Rights Zasitsolie Beio, a panel lawyer with the NSLSA said that the Universal Declaration of Human Rights is a milestone document that proclaimed the rights which everyone is entitled to as a human being regardless of race, colour, religion, sex, language, political opinion, national origin, property, birth or other status. He said that Human Rights Day was proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in 1948, it commemorates the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Pointing out that Human Rights are important in the relationships that exist between individuals and the government, Zasitsolie Beio said however human rights means that this power is limited and states have to look after the basic needs of the people and protect their freedom. He also spoke on right to equality, right to freedom, Cultural & Educational rights etc.
The Dimapur District Legal Services Authority (DDLSA) in collaboration with Human Rights Organization and Childline of Dimapur observed Human Rights Day at Imkonglenden Colony in Dimapur.
Chuba, a panel lawyer with the DDLSA spoke about the objective of legal services; panel lawyers Senti and Tiamoa Tzudir spoke about Human Rights; Vimenuo, highlighted the NSLSA’s schemes. Summing up the program, Ajongba Imchen, chief judicial magistrate of Dimapur and the secretary of the DDLSA said ‘Now is the time to know our rights and fight for it,’ the updates informed.
Wokha District Legal Services Authority (WDLSA) commemorated Human Rights Day with the village functionaries of Wozhuro range in Wokha at the Wozhuro Community hall.
Gracy Ezung, a retainer lawyer of the WDLSA delivered the keynote address and spoke about significance of the day and short speech was delivered by Yanbemo, chairman of Phiro Village.
Renbonthung Tsanglao, panel lawyer with the WDLSA spoke about the NALSA Poverty Alleviation Scheme 2015; Meribemo Lotha, panel lawyer of the WDLSA spoke about the Village Council Act of 1978; Shanchobeni P Lotha, also a panel lawyer of the WDLSA spoke about the Right to Information Act 2005 and the Right to Education Act.
The Mokokchung District Legal Services Authority also observed International Human Rights Day by setting up billboards at the Law College of Mokokchung and Tuli town.
Phek District Legal Services Authority organized legal awareness programme at Akhen on Dec. 6 and Kanjang Village, Lephori Village and Matikhru village on Dec. 7.
One of the resource persons, N. Longshithung Ezung, chairman of the PDLSA, explained the activities of the state legal services such as like awareness camps, free legal aid to poor etc. The motor vehicle act and village council act were also part of the discourse.
Various other topics included the importance and functions of legal services, NSLSA Scheme, the RTI, protection of women, the Domestic Violence Act, and Consumer Protection. All together 260 beneficiaries attended the awareness programme, updates stated.
