September 10, 2007

NHRC proposes lessons on human rights in schools, colleges

MADURAI: National Human Rights Commission has proposed to include lessons on human rights in the curriculum for schools and colleges, Shivaraj V Patil, senior member of the commission said here yesterday.

The objective of the module and syllabus was to make common man understand what were human rights are from the school level itself, he said while attending the inauguration of a 15-day training programme on human rights.

"Students can take care of themselves if they know what human rights are".

He said a majority of the NHRC staff itself did not know much about human rights and hence the Commission was seriously thinking of amending the recruitment rules.

"Preference would be given to those who had basic knowledge about HR, those who possessed degree or diploma in HR. Besides HR would be part of the examinations conducted to provide promotions to the employees".

Human rights would be taught in the National Judicial Academy, the National Police Academy and National Academy of Administration to sensitise the officials. He also suggested establishment of a Human Rights Institute to benefit the southern districts of Tamil Nadu.

Earlier, former Chief Justice of India P N Bhagwati released a book, " Justice Shivraj Patil on HR ". The first copy was received by Justice P K Misra.

Justice Bhagwati said HR went beyond civil and political spheres. He said power and wealth were concentrated in the hands of a few. Common man would get fruits of freedom if he was ensured of right to food and shelter.

No comments: