Human rights violation cases detected in Nagaland, says Justice Serto

KOHIMA — Chairman of Nagaland State Human Rights Commission (NSHRC), Justice Songkhupchung Serto on Saturday stressed the need to know one’s rights, citing gross violation of human rights at various levels.

He was speaking at the awareness programme on ‘Human rights and the role of human rights commission in its better protection’ organised by the Nagaland State Human Rights Commission (NSHRC) in collaboration with Nagaland State Legal Services Authority (NSLSA) and Kohima College at the Courtyard, Kohima College, on Saturday.

Providing a comprehensive insight into the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), the foundational document guiding the commission’s work, Justice Serto said the NSHRC is making efforts to take up complaints and suo moto cases relating to human rights violations.

He said the commission assessed the conditions in jails and lock-ups during its visit to five Nagaland districts. He added that in one particularly distressing case in Chümoukedima, he recommended a compensation of INR 5 lakh in connection with severe human rights violations.

Such incidents highlight the importance of the commission’s role in protecting citizens from abuses of power. On two occasions, the commission intervened to safeguard human rights, he added.

Maintaining that it is essential for students of social sciences to understand their rights, he said a clear grasp of one’s rights empowers one to advocate for self and the community.

‘When one’s rights are violated, they can file complaints, and the government is obligated to address the concerns. Ultimately, the government’s responsibility lies in serving the public,’ he said.

Dwelling on Article 23 of UDHR, he said everyone has the right to a decent wage and benefits. Governments are responsible for studying economic conditions, such as inflation, and adjust minimum wage rates accordingly. In this regard, the commission recently recommended the state government to revisit and revise the existing ‘Minimum Wage Act’ in Nagaland, he asserted.

While the commission is yet to have all the mandated infrastructure and personnel, he said the awareness is being made to provoke the thoughts of young minds.

He also expressed hope that youngsters will start contributing towards the protection and promotion of human rights in the state.

Member of NSHRC, R Nzambemo Lotha, said the programe was organised with an aim to introduce the NSHRC and announce the establishment of the State Human Rights Commission (SHRC).

He emphasised the importance of understanding both rights and responsibilities.

While protecting and promoting individual rights is crucial, it is equally essential to advocate for the rights of fellow human beings. Everyone has the potential to be a human rights defender, regardless of their background or circumstances, he said while urging the gathering to embrace this role.

The NSHRC, which was established in 2023, is prioritising a few sectors like right to health, education and Food, to start with, he said, adding that it embarked on a tour of remote areas across several districts of Nagaland to get first-hand knowledge of these sectors on the ground.

Subsequently, reports are being prepared and meetings called with the top officials from the concerns departments to discuss and address any shortfalls as well as issue recommendations, advisories and directives to such departments, he added.

Speaking on the ‘Protection of human rights Act 1993’, Advocate Nagali Shohe, Panel NSLSA, said the NSHRC was constituted after the Oting shooting incident and has taken up suo moto cases relating to a student assault by the police.

She appealed to the citizens to file complaints relating to human rights violation and approach the commission and the NSLSA for assistance.

Advocate Sunjib Rana, retainer lawyer KDLSA, speaking on the topic ‘Drug trafficking and human rights’, said drugs are causing fear and turmoil in homes, families and communities.

Drug trafficking is a major human rights violation, fueling illegal activities, undermining the right to a healthy life and destroying the whole community at large, he said, adding that the “sunflower” drug is ‘blooming in our homes without our knowledge, poisoning our youth and fracturing families’.

Terming the drug menace as a silent destroyer, he said it is slowly poisoning the people particularly the younger generation and called for tackling it aggressively through awareness.