Times of India: Puducherry: Thursday,
July 21, 2016.
Civil society
organizations have urged the Puducherry government to establish full-fledged
state human rights commission, state commission for protection of child rights
and state SC/ST commission in the Union territory.
Presently
only committees have been set up to probe into complaints of violation of human
rights, child rights and SC/ST rights.
A resolution
to this effect was passed during 'Universal periodic review' undertaken by 35
representatives from various forums civil society organizations including
Holistic approach for people's empowerment (Hope) and Institute of Human Rights
Education (IHRE).
The
organizations also resolved to urge the government to implement the Right of
children to free and compulsory education act and extend 25% reservation for
children from economically weaker sections in all private schools.
They sought
extension of minimum age of employment to 18 years to ensure free, compulsory,
quality and equitable education.They insisted the government to take effective
measures in preventing child trafficking and to implement the Protection of
children from sexual offences act (Pocso) in letter and spirit and ensure
prosecution of offenders.
Pointing out
that Puducherry does not have exclusive programmes for rehabilitating child
labourers they sought for implementation of Puducherry national child labour
project.
Insisting for
setting up of internal complaints committees to deal cases of sexual harassment
of women at workplace (prevention, prohibition and redressal) Act in all
central and state government and also private organizations.
They
advocated imparting human rights' education in all schools in Puducherry to
ensure gender justice and equality and to prevent crimes against women.
They also
pressed the government to set up LGBT community resource centres to reinforce
their rights in Puducherry. They sought for complete immunity and fool proof
protection for the whistle blowers and human rights defenders and crusaders and
ensure relief and rehabilitation of victimized activists.
They insisted
for establishing a state information commission in Puducherry by amending the
RTI act to ensure full protection to the life and liberty of RTI activists.
Urging
government to implement National security act, they sought for promoting
agro-based livelihood activities and creating climate-friendly job
opportunities.
Stressing for
the rehabilitation of displaced communities including dalit and nomadic
community (Narikuravas) they insisted the government to take effective steps to
implement the SC and ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act with amendment rules,
2016. They also urged that the budgets earmarked for special component plan and
sub-plan must not be diverted.
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