Voicing concern over "widespread" rights violations in the country, Vice President Hamid Ansari today said there is a gap between what official agencies project and the situation on the ground.
"Violations are widespread. Discrimination based on religion, caste, language, ethnicity, creed, work, descent and economic status continue to occur with disturbing frequency. These violations relate to denial of rights by state agencies, by individuals and groups. The weaker party is the invariable victim," he said.
He was delivering a lecture on the Human Rights Day organised by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC).
Ansari said, "There is a gap between what the official agencies project and what is perceived to be the situation on the ground",
Noting that the country considers promotion and protection of human rights as its responsibility, the Vice President said introspection is needed on some of the human rights issues affecting the citizens.
"We need to introspect on some human rights matters affecting our citizens. We take pride in the fact that we have put in place the requisite intellectual, legal and institutional framework for protection and promotion of human rights as a national responsibility," Ansari said.
He also said that the traditional approach to the concept of human rights needs to be reviewed.
"The victims of human wrongs operate between the polarities of suffering and the desire for relief and justice. It is the voice of the victims that needs articulation. But between the suffering and enunciation of human rights falls the shadow of state sovereignty. This necessitates a relook at the traditional approach," Ansari said.
The Vice-President also lauded the role of NHRC for its global acceptance.
"The NHRC has found recognition internationally. It played a significant role during the setting up of the United Nations Human Rights Council and participated in various seminars and consultative meetings that led to the creation of a viable institutional mechanism for the Human Rights Council," he said during the the lecture on 'Human Rights and Human Wrongs'.
