Commentary on Human Rights

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Description
•  Statutory and Judicial aspectsof human rights
•  Torture with Sepecial Emphasis on Rights of Women and Children
•  International Conventions
•  Declarations and Relevant Allied Laws
"Human rights" as per Section 2 (1) (d) of the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993, means the rights relating to life, liberty, equality and dignity of the individual guaranteed by the Constitution.
The expression "Human Rights" has not been specifically defined in any Declaration or Covenant of the United Nations. Human Rights are generally defined as "those rights which are inherent in our nature and without which we cannot live as human beings". Recognition of these natural rights of human beings is as ancient as the human civilisation.
The human rights trace back to the Magna Carta (1215 AD), the Petition of Rights (1627 AD) and the Bill of Rights (1688) in the U. K. The Declaration of Rights of Man (1789) by the French National Assembly influenced the framing of the Constitution of the USA, and in the 19th Century these rights became the basic principles of the Constitution Law of modern civilised States.
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights was unanimously adopted and proclaimed by the UN General Assembly on December 10,1948. For giving legal form to the provisions the Universal, Social and Cultural Rights came into force on January 3, 1976 and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights came into force on March 23,1976. India was one of the signatories of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and acceded to the two international Covenants by depositing the Instrument of Accession of April 10, 1979. The Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action adopted on June 25, 1993 by the World Conference on Human Rights declared that "Human Rights and fundamental freedom are the birth right of all human beings". The Human Rights are now recognised as the limits to the exercise of power by the State over individuals.
It was the golden rays of sun enlightening the world of Nineteenth Century to human being to know about Human Right they possess. Worth of human personality began to be realized.
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Contents
PARTI  HUMAN RIGHTS—STATUTORY AND JUDICIAL ASPECTS
1.   Introduction
2.   Universal Declaration of Human Rights, 1948
3.   Accession Instrument to Human Rights Covenants Adopted by India
4.   The Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993
5.   The National Human Rights Commission (Procedure) Regulations, 1994
6.   The Assam Human Rights Commission (Salaries and Allowances and
      other Terms and Conditions of Service of the Members) Rules, 1996
7.   The Jammu and Kashmir Protection of Human Rights Act, 1997
8.   The Punjab State Human Rights Commission, Chairperson and Members
      (Salaries, Allowances and other Terms and Conditions of Service) Rules, 1997
9.   The Punjab State Human Rights Commission (Procedure) Regulations, 1999
10. The Rajasthan State Human Rights Commission (Salaries, Allowances and
       other Conditions of Service of Chairperson and Members) Rules,2002
11.  The Rajasthan State Human Rights Commission (Procedure) Regulations, 2001
12.  The Uttar Pradesh Human Rights Commission Chairperson and Members
       (Salaries, Allowances and other Conditions of Service) Rules, 2003
13.  Protocol for the International Covenant on Civil and Political . Rights,
       for Abolition of the Death Penalty|
14.   NHRC's Plan of Action to Prevent and End Trafficking in Women and Children in India
15.   Concluding Statement and Plan of Action
16.   Plan of Action and Recommendations
17.   General Aspects of Torture
18.   National Legal Regime in Combating Torture
19.   Medical Examination and Documentation
20.   Basic Principles for the Treatment of Prisoner
21.   Declaration of Basic Principles of Justice for Victims of Crime and Abuse of Power
22.   The Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009
23.   The Protection of Civil Rights Act, 1955
24.   The Protection of Civil Rights Rules, 1977
PART II HUMAN RIGHTS AFFECTING WOMEN AND CHILDREJN
25.   The National Commission for Women Act, 1990
26.   The Protection of Women against Sexual  Harassment at Workplace Bill, 2007
27.   The Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act, 1986
28.   The Commissions for Protection of Child Rights Act, 2005
29.   The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights Rules, 2006
30.   The Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006
31.   Children (Pledging of Labour) Act, 1933
32.   Draft Guidelines for Speedy Disposal of Child Rape Cases
33.   The Women's and Children's Institutions (Licensing) Act, 1956
34.   The Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, 1956
35.   The Reformatory Schools Act, 1897
PART III HUMAN RIGHTS AND INTERNATIONAL/UNIVERSAL CONVENTIONS/DECLARATION
36.   Convention against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading
         Treatment or Punishment, 1984
37.   European Convention on Human Rights and Its Five Protocols
38.   Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights
39.   Principles on the Effective Investigation and Documentation of Torture and
        other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (The Istanbul Protocol)
40.   Promotion and Protection of All Human Rights, Civil, Political, Economic,
        Social and Cultural Rights, including the Right to Development
41.   Resolution on Human Rights
42.   The Convention for the Suppression of the Traffic in Persons and
        of the Exploitation or the Prostitution of others, 1949
43.   Convention Concerning the Abolition of Forced Labour, 1957
44.   Convention on the Abolition of Slavery, the Slave Trade, and Institutions
        and Practices Similar to Slavery, 1956
45.   International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant
        Workers and Members of their Families
46.   Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide
47.   United Nations Convention (I) for the Amelioration of the Condition
        of the Wounded and Sick in Armed Forces in the Field
48.   United Nations International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, 1966
49.   United Nations International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, 1966
50.   Principles of Medical Ethics Relevant to the Role of Health Personnel, Particularly
        Physicians, in the Protection of Prisoners and Detainees Against Torture and other
        Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment
51.   United Nations International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms
        of Racial Discrimination, 1966
52.   Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women
53.   United Nations Declaration on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women, 1967
54.   Fourth World Conference on Women Beijing Declaration
55.   Convention on the Rights of the Child
56.   Integrated Plan of Action to Prevent and Combat Human Trafficking
        with Special Focus on Children and Women
PART IV RELEVANT ALLIED LAWS
57.   Relevant Articles of Constitution of India, 1950
58.   Relevant Sections of Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973
59.   Relevant Sections of Indian Penal Code, 1860
60.   Relevant Section of Probation of Offenders Act, 1958
PART V MISCELLANEOUS
61.   Frequently Asked Questions
62.   Guidelines on Central Scheme for Assistance to Victims of Terrorist
        and Communal Violence
63.   Guidelines on How to File Complaint with the NHRC
64.   Child Development and Care Centres
Subject Index
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