Object 3
Object 2
WhatareHumanRights?
HumanRightsaremoralclaimswhichareinalienableandinherentto
allindividualsbyvirtueoftheirbeinghumansalone.
History
Throughouthistory,therehasbeenaconflictbetweenrulingelite
andruled.
e.g.MagnaCartaEngland1215.
FrenchDeclarationofRightsofManandofCitizen1789.
AmericanBillofRights.
SinceFirstWorldWar,LeagueofNationstooksomeinitiative.
ILOwascreatedin1919.
InternationalSlaveryConventionwassignedin1926
Butduring1920sand30smassiveabuseofhumanlifeanddignity
basedonrace,religionandnationalitywerethere.
UNOwasestablishedafterWorldWarII.
ArtIofUNCharter:Toachieveinternationalcooperationin
promotingandencouragingrespectforhumanrightsandfor
fundamentalfreedomforallwithoutdistinctionastorace,sex,
languageorreligion.
Object 1
UniversalDeclarationofHumanRights
GeneralAssemblyofUnitedNationsadoptedandproclaimedUniversal
DeclarationofHumanRightsonDecember10,1948.
Art1:Allhumanbeingsarebornfreeandequalindignityand
rights.
Art2:Everyoneisentitledtoallrightsandfreedomssetforthin
thisdeclarationwithoutdistinctionofanykindsuchasrace,
colour,sex,language,religion,nation,property,birthorother
status.
Art3:Everyonehasrighttolife,libertyandsecurityofperson.
Art4:Slaveryandslavetradeisprohibited.
Art5:Nooneshallbesubjecttotorture.
Art7:Allareequalbeforelawandareentitledtoequal
protectionoflaw.
Art9:Nooneshallbesubjecttoarbitraryarrest,detentionor
exile.
Art15:Everyonehasrighttoanationality.
Art18:Freedomofthought,conscience&religion.
Art23:Righttowork.
Art26:Righttoeducation.
IndianConstitutionandHumanRights
Art13:Boldlydeclaresthatalllawsinsofartheyare
inconsistentwithFundamentalRights,bevoid,toextentof
inconsistency,andfurtherStateshallnotmakeanylawwhichtakes
awayorabridgestheserightsandanylawmadeincontravention,
shallbevoid.
Art14:Securesequalitybeforelawtoallpersons.
Art15:Prohibitsdiscriminationamongcitizensongroundof
religion,race,caste,sexorplaceofbirth.
Art16:Ensuresequalopportunitytotheminmattersofpublic
employment.
Art19:Assuresfreedomofspeechandexpression,righttoassemble
peacefullyandwithoutarms;toformassociationandunions;tomove
freelythroughoutterritoryofIndia;toresideandsettleinany
partofcountry,tradeandbusinessetc.
Art21:Guaranteesequalprotectionoflawandprohibits
deprivationoflifeandpersonalliberty.
Art23:Prohibitstrafficinhumanbeingsandforcedlabour.
Art24:Prohibitschildlabour.
Art2530:Assuresfreedomofconscienceandrighttomanage
religiousinstitutions;aswellasmakesprovisionsforprotectionof
minoritiesandtheirplacesofworshipandeducationalinstitutions.
DirectivePrinciplesofStatePolicy(DPSP)providesforalotof
socialandeconomicbenefitsforcitizenstobeattainedinfuture.
Inadditiontothese,thereareseverallawsofareformative
characterlikeEmployeesStateInsuranceActs,Dowry(Prohibition)
Act,BondedLabour(Abolition)Act,MinimumWagesAct,Workmen
CompensationAct,ProtectionofCivilRightsAct,Environmental
ProtectionAct,[Link]
variousevils.
NationalHumanRightsCommission
Inkeepingwithspiritofhumanrightsmovementalloverworld,
NationalHumanRightsCommission(NHRC)cameintoexistenceinIndia
throughanOrdinancepromulgatedon28thSeptember1993byPresident
ofIndia.
However,soonOrdinancewasreplacedbyastatutecalledProtection
ofHumanRightsAct,[Link]
providesforsettingupNHRCatCentreaswellasoneCommissioneach
atStatelevel.
NationalHumanRightsCommissionisdesignedtoprotecthuman
rights,definedasrightsrelatingtolife,liberty,equalityand
dignityofindividualguaranteedbyConstitutionorembodiedin
InternationalcovenantandwhichareenforceablebyCourtsinIndia
(ProtectionofHumanRightsAct,1993).
Composition
NHRCconsistsofaChairpersonandfourmembers,allofthembeing
fulltimemembers.
Apartfromthesefulltimemembers,Commissionalsohasitsdeemed
membersasChairpersonsofNationalCommissionforMinorities,
NationalCommissionforSCs&STsandNationalCommissionforWomen.
multimembershipisintendedtoreinforceindependenceand
[Link],
threearetopossesshighleveljudicialbackgroundandremaining
musthaveknowledgeoforpracticalexperienceinmattersrelatingto
HumanRights.
ChairpersonmustbenolessthanaformerChiefJusticeofIndia.
Functions
Itcaninterveneinanylegalproceedingsinvolvinganallegation
ofviolationofHumanRights.
Itcanalso,visit,withpriorapprovalofStateGovernment,any
jailtostudylivingconditionsofinmatesandmakerecommendations.
ItcanreviewsafeguardsprovidedbyorunderConstitutionorany
lawforprotectionofHumanRightsandrecommendmeasuresfortheir
effectiveimplementation.
Commissionalsoreviewsfactors,includingactsofterrorism,that
inhibitenjoymentofHumanRightsandrecommendsremedialmeasures.
ItalsoundertakesandpromotesresearchinfieldofHumanRights.
Finally,itencouragesNGOsworkinginfieldofHumanRights.
AutonomyofCommission
autonomyofCommissionisderivedfrommethodofappointmentofits
members,theirfixityoftenure,andstatutoryguarantees.
ChairpersonandmembersofCommissionareappointedbyPresidenton
basisofrecommendationsofacommitteecomprisingPrimeMinisteras
chairperson,SpeakerofLokSabha,HomeMinister,leadersof
[Link].
WorkingofCommission
CommissionhasallpowersofaCivilCourt.
Ithasitsowninvestigatingstaffforinvestigationinto
complaintsofHumanRightsviolations.
ItisopentoCommissiontoutiliseservicesofanyofficeror
investigationagencyofCentralGovernmentoranyStateGovernment.
Commissionwhileinquiringintocomplaintsofviolationsofhuman
rightsmaycallforinformationorreportfromCentralGovernmentor
anyStateGovernment,oranyotherauthorityororganisation
subordinatetheretowithinsuchtimeasmaybespecifiedbyit.
Commissionmaytakeanyoffollowingstepsuponcompletionofan
enquiry:
[Link]
negligenceinpreventionofviolationofHumanRightsbyapublic
servant,itmayrecommendtoconcernedGovernmentorauthority
initiationofproceedingsforprosecutionorsuchotherfunction.
[Link],orders,orwrits
asthatcourtmaydeemnecessary.
[Link]
immediateinterimrelieftovictimormembersofhisfamily.
authorityorStateGovernmentorSomeofProgrammesandHumanRights
issuestakenupbyCommissioninclude:
ReviewofChildMarriageRestraintAct,1929
ProtocolstoConventiononRightsofChild
PreventingEmploymentofChildrenbyGovernmentServants:Amendment
ofServiceRules
AbolitionofChildLabour
GuidebookforMediaonSexualViolenceagainstChildren
TraffickinginWomenandChildren:ManualforJudiciaryforGender
Sensitization
SensitizationProgramonPreventionofSexTourismandTrafficking
MaternalAnaemiaandHumanRights
RehabilitationofDestituteWomeninVrindavan
CombatingSexualHarassmentofWomenatWorkPlace
HarassmentofWomenPassengersinTrains
AbolitionofManualScavenging
Dalitsissuesincludingatrocitiesperpetratedonthem
ProblemsfacedbyDenotifiedandNomadicTribes
RightsofDisabled
[Link]/AIDS
CentralGovernmenttowhomCommissionrecommendsforactionhasto
indicateitscomments/actiontakenonreport/recommendationsof
Commissionwithinaperiodofonemonthinrespectofgeneral
complaintsandwithinaperiodofthreemonthsinrespectof
complaintsrelatingtoArmedForces.
PocketVeto
Whatdoesitmean?
TheconstitutiongivesthePresidentthepowertoreturnabill
unsignedbutitcircumscribesthepowertosenditbackonlyoncefor
reconsideration.
IftheParliamentsendsbackthebillwithorwithoutchanges,the
[Link],deliberatelyor
inadvertently,theconstitutiondoesnotsetatimelimitinwhich
thePresidentisobligedtoapprovethebill,sotheymaywithhold
[Link]
constitutionalcirclesasthePocketVeto,andhasbeenusedona
numberofoccasionsagainstcontroversialBills.
UseinIndia
Inthemid1980s,PresidentZailSinghwithheldassenttoaBill
passedbyParliamentthatgavesweepingpowerstotheStateto
[Link]
encroachmentoncitizensfreedomofspeechandlibertyas
guaranteedbytheConstitution.
Inearly1990,PresidentVenkataramanwithheldassenttoaBill
passedbytheoutgoingParliamentthatgavepensionbenefitsto
[Link]
aggrandisement.
ElectionCommissionOfIndia
TheElectioncommissionisaconstitutionalbodythatisentrusted
withtheresponsibilityofconductingfreeandfairelectionsinthe
country.
<>OnOctober16,1989forthefirsttimethePresidentappointed2
electioncommissioners.
NOTE:
Thetwoelectioncommissionerswereappointedtocope
withincreasedworkoftheelectioncommissiononthe
accountofloweringthevotingagefrom21to18.
Thiswasdonethrough61stamendmentactof1988and
cameintoforcein1989.
InOctober1993thePresident(DrShankarDayalSharma)appointedtwo
moreelectioncommissioners.
Sincethentheelectioncommissionisamultimemberbody.
<>PresentCEC(June11,2012tilldate)VSSampath
<> H S Brahma and Syed Nasim Ahmed Zaidi are the election
Commissioners.
THEELECTIONCOMMISSION
CONDUCTSTHEELECTIONFOR
ThePresident
TheVicePresident
TheLokSabha
TheRajyaSabha
TheStateLegislativeAssemblies
TheStateLegislativeCouncils
Article324:Itprovidesthepowerofsuperintendence,directionand
control of elections to the Parliament, state legislatures, the
officeofthePresidentofIndiaandtheVicepresidentofIndia.
Note:PanchayatsandMunicipalitieselectionsareconducted
bytherespectiveStateElectionCommissions.
COMPOSITIONOFELECTIONCOMMISSION:
<>ThereisaChiefElectionCommissioner.
<>Therearesomeothermemberscalledelectioncommissioners.
Note:ThePresidentdecidesthestrengthfromtimetotime.
APPOINTMENT:
<>TheChiefElectionCommissionerandotherElectionCommissioners
areappointedbythePresidentofIndia.
Qualifications:
<>Thequalificationsofthemembersoftheelectioncommissionare
notprescribedintheconstitution.
TERMORTENURE:
<>ThetermandotherconditionsaredecidedbythePresidentaftera
lawispassedbytheParliamenttothateffect.
CHAIRMANOFELECTIONCOMMISSION:
<> The Chief Election Commissioner acts as the Chairman of the
Commissionwhenanyotherelectioncommissionerisappointed.
SALARY:
<>ThesalaryisdecidedbytheParliament.
RESIGNATION:
<>TheChiefElectionCommissionerandotherElectionCommissioners
submittheresignationlettertothePresident.
REMOVALOFCHIEFELECTION
COMMISSIONER:
<>TheChiefElectionCommissionerisremovedinthesamemannerlike
thatofajudgeofSupremeCourt.
REMOVALOFOTHERELECTION
COMMISSIONERS:
<>OtherElectionCommissionersareremovedbythePresidentonlyon
therecommendationoftheChiefElectionCommissioner.
<>But,theadviceoftheChiefElectionCommissionerisnotbinding
onthePresident.
FUNCTIONSOFELECTIONCOMMISSION:
<>Theelectioncommission preparesandrevises theelectoralrolls
(votersList).
<>TheelectionCommissionwill notify thedatesandschedulesthe
elections.
<>Theelectioncommissionscrutinizesthenominationpapers.
<>Theelectioncommissionrecognizesthepoliticalparties.
<> The election commission allots the election symbols to the
politicalpartiesandalsototheindependentcandidates.
<> The election commission determines the code of conduct to be
observedbythepartiesandthecandidatesatthetimeofelections.
<> The election commission advices the President in the matter
relatingtothedisqualificationofthemembersofParliament.(Lok
SabhaandRajyaSabha).
<> The election commission advices the Governor of a state in the
matter relating to the disqualification of the members of state
Legislature.
<> The Election Commission recognizes the political parties as
NationalpartyorRegional(state)party.
MISCELLANEOUS:
<> Note: The Chief Electoral Officer is appointed by the Chief
ElectionCommissionerinconsultationwiththestategovernment.
<>AtthedistrictlevelthedistrictCollectoractsasthereturning
officer.
The first general election held in 1951 52 cost the
exchequer Rs. 10.45 crore. The election expenditure for the
elections that was held in 2009 was Rs. 1400 crore. The
estimated expenditure for the 15th Lok Sabha elections to be
conductedin2014isRs.3500/[Link]
expenses incurred for security and the amounts the political
partiesspend.
<>Foreveryconstituencythereisareturningofficerappointedby
thedistrictcollector.
<> The Collector also appoints presiding officer for every polling
booth.
<> In January 2012 the Election Commission ordered draping of
MayawatiStatuesandherpartysymbolelephantinUttarPradesh.
<> In the year 2004 prior to Lok Sabha elections the Election
Commission ordered to drape photographs of the then PrimeMinister
and BJP leader Atal Bihari Vajpayee installed on highways and at
GoldenQuadrilateralroadprojects.
<>Intheyear2011theElectionCommissiononacomplaintreceived
tofreezetheelephantsymbolofBSP(BahujanSamajwadiParty)said
that this question could be considered only if the model code of
conductwasviolated.
<> Note: Subramanian Swamy and Congress: On November 6, 2012 the
ElectionCommissionrejectedSwamyspetitionforderecognitionof
the INC on the plea that it violated rules for registration by
loaningRs90croretoaprivatecompany(AssociatedjournalsPrivate
Limited).TheECheadedbyVSSampathdismissedthepleaholding
thatitdidnotfallunderanyofthegroundsspecifiedunder16Aof
the Election Commission symbols (Resevation and Allottment) order,
1968. The EC said the RPA act provided for the manner in which
registered political parties may raise the funds and there is not
provisionwhatsoeverinthatactprescribingthemannerinwhichthe
[Link]
notcompliedwithanyoftheprovisionsoftheIncomeTaxAct,1961
thematterdoesnotfallwithinthejurisdictionoftheEC. Swamy
decidedtomovethecourtonthesame
<>EveryOctobertheECbeginsitsannualexerciseofrevisingthe
electoralrollswiththefollowingJanuary1stastheeffectivedate.
[Link]
summaryrevisionresponsibilityiscastonthepotentialvotertoget
himselfregistered by goingto the designated center. In electoral
revisiondoortodoorverificationisundertakenbytheofficers
<>TheEPIC(ElectoralPhotoIdentityCard)isvalideventheelector
[Link]
is primarily toidentify the voter and can be used in any polling
stationinIndiatowhichtheelectorhasmoved.(infactitshowsthe
previous address and is still valid N Gopalaswami former CEC
articleinTheHinduonDecember14,2012).
<>IfthesystemisintegratedwithUIDthenthenumbercanremain
sameevenifs/hemovesfromoneplacetotheother.
<>Thelawisverycleareventodayforvotingphysicalpresenceis
mandatory.
<>[Link]
is adopted this is a boon not just to migrants and also to armed
forces personnel, para militaryforces and police. For thisAadhar
numberhastobeincorporatedintheelectoralroll.
<>TheHinduonDecember21,2012:theNEW(NationalElectionWatch)
and ADR (Association for Democratic Reforms) looked into the
backgroundoftheourlawmakerswithrespecttorapecasesandother
crimesagainstwomenbasedontheirselfswornaffidavits.In2009
LSelectionpoliticalpartiesgaveticketsto6personswhodeclared
they had been charged with rape. (Each from RPP, Revolutionary
CommunistParty,BSP,JMMand2independentmembers).Duringthesame
polls34othercontestantsdeclaredthattheyhadchargesofcrimes
[Link]
2012twoMPsonefromAIADMKandotherfromTMCdeclaredthatthey
facechargessuchascrueltyandintenttooutrageawomansmodesty.
WithrespecttoMLAs(3fromSP(UP),1fromBSP(UP),onefromBJP
(Gujarat)andonefromTDP(AP)arechargedofrapeagainstthem.27
memberswiththesimilarchargesweregiventheticketsfromvarious
parties10fromUPand5fromBihar.Apartfromthis39MLAsdeclared
that they have charges of crimes against women such as assault,
insultingthemodestyofwomen.
<> In 2011 the EC disqualified Umlesh Yadav then sitting MLA from
BisauliinUPforaperiodof3yearsforfailingtoprovideatrue
and correct account of her election expenses. She had skipped any
mentionofherspendingonadvertisementsdressedupnewsduringher
2007 poll campaign. She was the first legislator ever to bite the
dustongroundsofexpenditure(andpaidnews).DrMishratheCabinet
MinisterinMPnow(2013)faceschargesofthekind.
<> The Press Council ofIndia definition for Paid News is any
newsoranalysisappearinginanymedia(printorelectronic)fora
[Link]
constitutedbythePCIduringthe2012electionsinGujaratthepaid
newswasrampant.
<> The CEC on January 11, 2013 sought immediate implementation of
proposed electoral reforms relating to the criminalization of
politics, particularly banning candidates with criminal background
fromcontestingpolls.TheproposalsentbytheEConJuly15,1998
isstillpendingwiththegovernment.
f Ifa candidatewhois declareddisqualified bytheElection
Commission under Section 10 of the Representation of Peoples Act
(RPA) "incurs disqualification for contesting further elections to
anyHouseofParliamentorstatelegislatureforaperiodofthree
years,"andalsoforcontinuingasmemberofanysuchHouseifheis
alreadyasittingmemberfromthedateoftheorderoftheElection
Commissionandnotfromthedateonwhichhecontestedtheelection
orwaselectedatsuchelection."