An awareness programme on ‘Human Rights and the Role of State Human Rights Commissions in its Better Protection’ was organized by Nagaland State Human Rights Commission (NSHRC) in collaboration with Nagaland State Legal Services Authority (NSLSA) and Kohima College, Kohima on August 17 at the college premises.
Delivering the keynote address, Chairman of NSHRC, Justice Songkhupchung Serto spoke on the importance of fundamental rights and entitlement entitled to each person as enshrined in the constitution, informed a press release by the PRA, NSLSA.
Highlighting at length the Universal Declaration of Human Rights [UDHR], he said it is an international document that consists of 30 articles briefing about the fundamental and basic rights of an individual.
He explained the basic concepts of equality, liberty, and dignity and spoke about the details of individual rights which enshrined prohibition of slavery and entitles right to life to all individuals. Serto emphasized that the UDHR also provides provisions for fundamental human rights and the remedies related to their violation. Additionally, it deals with the right of an individual towards the community, including the right to nationality, the right of property among others.
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The Chairman also refered to the rights of an individual towards the community, including the freedom of expression, ideas, peaceful association, religion, opinion, thought, movement, etc., through any media. Other highlights of his address included cultural, social, and economic rights of an individual, including healthcare and the general principles of exercising these rights.
The welcome note and opening remarks was delivered by Member NSHRC, Member R Nzanbemo Lotha. He said the imperative of organizing a programme in Kohima college was to introduce about NSHRC and inform people that the state now have a human rights commission, established in 2023 and is one of the youngest state human rights commission in the country.
Lotha also highlighted the powers and functionaries of the SHRC and said it operates like a civil court and deemed judicial in nature. Additionally it has power to order any enquiry in any state or other organization. As much as we protect and promote our own rights, one has to do the same to our fellow human beings while calling the attendance present to become human rights defenders, said Lotha.
During the day long session, Nagali Shohe, Panel Lawyer, Kohima DLSA spoke on ‘Protection of Human Rights Act 1993’ and Sunjib Rana, Retainer Lawyer Kohima DLSA presented on ‘Drug Trafficking and Human Rights.’
The Vote of Thanks was delivered by Dr. Ketoukhrie-ü, IQAC Coordinator and Asst. Professor. Earlier, the programme was chaired by Cherry Ovung, Panel Lawyer, NSLSA and a special Song was presented by Alino Achumi, B.Com, 5th Semester. More than 500 students attended the programme.
