Human rights and judiciary share a strong relationship, as both are interdependent and one’s existence is not possible without support and cooperation of the other. This was the view expressed by speakers at a function organised to observe the Human Rights Day at Gujarat high court, on Thursday.
International community observes Human Rights Day on December 10 every year to commemorate the day when the United Nations general assembly adopted the universal declaration of human rights in 1948.
Speaking on the occasion, chief guest Dr Mohan Gopal, director, National Judicial Academy, said, “The features and importance of human rights are defined in our Constitution, with various rights and privileges bestowed on the citizens of India.” This includes citizens’ right against arbitrary arrest and also the right of an independent judiciary.
“Even 62 years after India getting independence, there is a large populace which is not aware of its rights and because of this is often oppressed by a handful of citizens,” said Gopal, adding that 78 per cent of the country’s population earn and consume less than Rs20 a day and 80% of populace live in deep distress, said Dr Gopal.
Chief justice of Gujarat high court S J Mukhopadhyay, justice MS Shah, justice RR Tripathi and senior advocate and rights activist Girish Patel were also present on the occasion.
Girish Patel said there were various challenges which judiciary had faced in recent times. “Terrorism, fundamentalism, fascism and growth of capitalism are some imminent threats the judiciary have been facing recently,” he said, adding that, “Relationship between human rights and development needs careful consideration. Countries which are more developed accord more importance to protecting human rights.”
Comments