Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram

Human rights may be included in school curriculum: Minister

Photo: S. Mahinsha

Word of honour: Chairperson of State Human Rights Commission N. Dhinakar administering a pledge in connection with the World Human Rights Day function in the city on Wednesday. —

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The government will explore the possibility of incorporating human rights as a component in the academic curriculum for high school students, Minister for Law and Parliamentary Affairs M. Vijayakumar has said.

He was speaking after inaugurating the 60th anniversary of ‘World Human Rights Day’ organised by the Kerala State Human Rights Commission here on Wednesday.

A comprehensive programme aimed at providing awareness sessions on human rights for law enforcement agencies, social activist, health workers and presspersons too would be organised by the government in association with the commission soon, the Minister said.

Mr. Vijayakumar said the violations of human rights taking place in the State were a cause of concern for the government.

“The commission will hold special sittings in tribal areas and provide succour to the victims in a time-bound manner by coordinating the functioning of various government departments,” he said.

Jacob Punnoose, Director General of Police, was of the view that human rights violation taking place within the confines of a police station could be minimised to a great extent if the complainant was conscious of the rights of the accused.

“There is a general perception among the public that human rights activists and police personnel are on two contradictory missions,” said Mr. Punnoose.

N. Dhinakar, Chairperson, State Human Rights Commission, who presided over the function said the working conditions of the law enforcement personnel should be improved.

“Torture should not be used as a tool to extract information, instead the personnel should be trained in scientific methods of investigation,” he said.

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