KOHIMA — The Nagaland State Human Rights Commission (NSHRC), in collaboration with Nagaland State Legal Service Authority (NSLSA), conducted an awareness programme on “Human rights and the role of the State Human Rights Commissions (SHRC) in its better protection” at Kohima Science College in Jotsoma on Friday.
Speaking the event, R Nzambemo Lotha, NSHRC member, explained that the primary goal of the programme was to introduce the Commission to all young people of the state and educate them about human rights. He said the programme would ignite the minds of the students on human rights and provoke the thought of young intellectuals of the society to make a better tomorrow.
He also briefly explained the work and functions of NSHRC since its formation on March 11, 2023.
Advocate Apila Sangtam, NSLSA retainer lawyer, dwelled on “Protection of Human Rights Act (1993). She spoke about the vast history surrounding the Act and the various other commissions stemming from it, including the National Commission for Women Act and the National Commission for Backward classes, among many others.
Elaborating on the powers of Human Rights Commission (HRC), she highlighted that the commission has the authority to visit under imitation to the state government jail or any other institutions under the control of the state government and intervene in any proceeding involving any allegations of violation of human rights.
She added that SHRC also function in the area of studying treaties and other international instruments on human rights and make recommendations for their effective implementation.
She urged the student bodies to take a stand as responsible citizens, put up any issue or violation in relation to human rights with the commission, establish the Protection of Human Rights Act as an important topic to be revisited time and again.
KDLSA retainer lawyer, Advocate Sunjib Rana, who spoke on "Drug trafficking and human rights," dwelled on the evolution of drugs from a useful resource saving thousands of lives to a great threat in modern day society.
He has attributed poverty and lack of proper employment opportunity in the country as the two main reasons for more and more Indian citizens getting involved in drug trafficking.
Explaining the correlation between drug trafficking and human rights, he stated that the statistical correlation between crime and drug abuse is a matter of great concern, with a whopping 70% of rape cases being a result of assaulters being on drugs.
The panelist also talked about the adverse effects of drugs on not only the direct victims but also on the lives of people of those affected by drug trafficking and abuse, especially the rights of children who are deprived of the basic human rights for no fault of their own.
He ended his talk by encouraging all in attendance to spread awareness of human rights.
Limanenla, secretary of NSHRC, delivered the vote of thanks.