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"The Human Rights situation in the entire South Asian Region is deplorable and there is need to focus on Human Rights Education in the SAARC region as a civilization is judged by its human rights standards," said Mr. Sudarshan Agarwal, while inaugurating the fourth batch of Post Graduate Diploma in Human Rights for SAARC countries.
In the light of the South Asian character of the course, Mr. Agarwal said that the exchange of views and information between the participants from various SAARC countries would create better conditions for the protection of Human Rights in the entire South Asian region.
The RLEK's Human Rights Centre here has instituted this ten-month full time course. The course is recognized by Visva-Bharati, Santiniketan, which was founded by Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore.
The course looks at Human Rights in the global perspective and aims to spread and inculcate a Human Rights culture in the South Asian region. The course has been attracting participants from all over the country as well as from SAARC countries. This time two students each from Nepal and Sri Lanka have come to attend the course. The course is designed to equip the youth in India and other South Asian countries to take up issues relating to human rights and human development in the truly Asian perspective. The classroom sessions are participatory and discussion based and a combination of training methodologies are used including; lectures, case discussions, field trips, group exercises and seminars.
Mr. Agarwal, while commending RLEK, said," Human rights courses are normally run by colleges and universities which are detached from the practical realities of Human Rights violations and in this case the lead taken by an NGO, committed to Human Rights, in the form of RLEK is appreciable."
The Governor of Uttaranchal also stressed upon the importance of State Human Rights Commissions. "It is my firm belief that each state should have a Human Rights Commission as it is a reflection of the state's commitment towards good and humane governance,' he said.
In his Presidential Address Justice M. Ramajois, Governor of Jharkhand said, "the need for Human Rights Education is ever increasing as the onslaught on Human Rights has gone beyond all proportions." He stressed upon the need to make human rights education an integral part of all forms of education.
He emphasized the relevance of "dharma" in the context of human rights and said that "dharma" does not signify any particular religion, "Hate creates all violations of human rights, the dharma dictates that let no one hate anybody."
Categorizing RLEK as a true champion of human rights, the Governor of Jharkhand said that this organization has approached the Supreme Court, as many as 17 times, involving vital issues of human rights and human concerns.
Justice Brijesh Kumar, Judge of Supreme Court said, "insensitivity on the part of public authorities, resulting in Human Rights violations, is a major concern. RLEK is doing its bit to create this sensitivity." He called upon the course participants to work for "humanizing the inhuman", which in itself will solve all problems of our time.
Justice S.B. Sinha, Judge of Supreme Court, expressed the view that nobody today doubts the very idea of Human Rights but finds excuses for their violations. He stressed upon the need for adopting a rights based approach so that a behavioral change is affected.
"Human Rights are more discussed and preached than practiced. RLEK has reversed the trend by practicing, preserving and protecting human rights more than its mere preaching," he said.
Both Justice Ramajois and Justice Sinha will be delivering lectures to the participants later in the week. Resource persons from ILO would address the participants tomorrow.
Among other dignitaries present were Mrs. Rajapaksa, wife of the Leader of Opposition, Sri Lanka and Dehradun Mayor Mrs. Manorama Dobriyal.
Earlier, Avdhash Kaushal, Chairperson of RLEK, in his welcome address expressed concern about the growing socio-political unrest in South Asia. "This course apart from providing quality human rights education to participants from SAARC countries also symbolizes South Asian spirit of solidarity and mutual co-operation," he said.