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Human rights body attacks government on terror law
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on Monday asserted again that there was no need for the new Prevention of Terrorism Ordinance (POTO).
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on Monday asserted again that there was no need for the new Prevention of Terrorism Ordinance (POTO).
"Any law for combating terrorism should be consistent with the Constitution, the relevant international instruments and treaties, and respect the principles of necessity and proportionality," NHRC, which held a full commission meeting under the chairmanship of J S Verma, said in an order in New Delhi.
"Undoubtedly, national security is of paramount importance. Without protecting the safety and security of the nation, individual rights cannot be protected. However, the worth of a nation is the worth of the individuals constituting it. Article 21 which guarantees a life with a dignity is non-derogable", it said.
"Both national integrity as well as individual dignity are core values in the Constitution, and are compatible and not inconsistent. The need is to balance the two," it said.
The commission, which had opposed the Bill to tackle terrorism earlier and criticised the government for bringing in a new legislation, reiterated its stand and maintained that there were enough anti-terrorism laws in the country and new laws could lead to human rights violation.
"What we need is the strict implementation of the existing anti-terrorism laws in the country and not the new legislation," Verma said adding, "The commission stand has not changed and there was no reason also to modify the same."
The Union Cabinet had approved on October 16 promulgation of an ordinance to combat terrorism in place of scrapped TADA making non-disclosure of information relating to a terrorist act an offence.
Bureau Report
"Any law for combating terrorism should be consistent with the Constitution, the relevant international instruments and treaties, and respect the principles of necessity and proportionality," NHRC, which held a full commission meeting under the chairmanship of J S Verma, said in an order in New Delhi.
"Undoubtedly, national security is of paramount importance. Without protecting the safety and security of the nation, individual rights cannot be protected. However, the worth of a nation is the worth of the individuals constituting it. Article 21 which guarantees a life with a dignity is non-derogable", it said.
"Both national integrity as well as individual dignity are core values in the Constitution, and are compatible and not inconsistent. The need is to balance the two," it said.
The commission, which had opposed the Bill to tackle terrorism earlier and criticised the government for bringing in a new legislation, reiterated its stand and maintained that there were enough anti-terrorism laws in the country and new laws could lead to human rights violation.
"What we need is the strict implementation of the existing anti-terrorism laws in the country and not the new legislation," Verma said adding, "The commission stand has not changed and there was no reason also to modify the same."
The Union Cabinet had approved on October 16 promulgation of an ordinance to combat terrorism in place of scrapped TADA making non-disclosure of information relating to a terrorist act an offence.
Bureau Report