Shillong December 10: Today the National Human Right Commsion along the rest with the world are Observation of International Human Right Day in t The theme for this year observance of Human Rights Day is well appropriately choose to “STAND UP FOR SOMEONE’S RIGHTS TODAY”
In the state are Observe the same celebrate which the Department of Political Science, Lady Keane College, in Collaboration with Lady Keane College Nodal; Centre for Human Right are observing the human right day at Auditorioum Hall Lady Keane College.
In this function the Secretary General, of Meghalaya People’s Human Right Council Mr. Dino G. Dympep are the resource person at the same time the Chief Guest to Adress the Gathering; along with Smt. Theilin Phanbuh the Chairperson, of Meghalaya State Commission for Women in the present of C. Massar the Principal of the College.
Smt. Theilin Phanbuh as the guest of hounor in her speech she address the mandate of all State Commission for Women in the country including (MSCW) is to seek Justice for Women, Safeguard their Rights and Promote Women’s Empowerment. Its primary objectives are to review the constitutional rights, legal safe guards and recommend remedial measures and facilitate redressed of grievances as well to advise the government on all policy matter affecting women. The Commission monitor the proper implementation of all legislators enacted to protect the rights of women so as to achieve equality in all sphere of life.
The Universal declaration of Human Rights proclaimed that everyone was entitled to enjoy human rights and fundamental freedoms “without distinction of any kind” including distinction based on Sex. The concept of “Women’s Human Rights” recognizes that women experience their human rights in such a way that are different to men. It also recognizes that women are vulnerable to human rights violations in such a ways that reflect the fact that they are women these biological differences resulting in hierarchical relationships between women and men and in distribution of power and rights favouring men and disadvantaging women. Therefore, equality between women and men is seen both as a human rights issue and as a precondition for, and indicator of, sustainable people-centered development.
As per the population of are increase especially in Meghalaya has seen an upward trend for women, as per 2011 population female literacy is at 71.88%. Comparing at 62.56% at 2001, Average Literacy rate in Meghalaya for urban regions was 91.39% and female literacy stood at 89.4%. (Census, 2011), Average Literacy rate for rural areas was 71.5%. In rural areas of Meghalaya, Literacy rate for male and female stood at 72.8% and 69.45% respectively.
Smt Theilin Phanbuh also had mention the women of tribal area are the three major tribes such as the Khasi’s Jaintia’s and Garo’s follow the matrilineal lineage. The so called matrilineal undoubtly has special privileges and responsibilities for women in their homes. However, the system of inheritance whenever prevalent is strictly applicable to ancestral property. The system of matriliny does not protect women or her children from the consequences of separation and divorce, as a mother she has a major responsibility to take care of her children. The advantage of Matrilineage is only to protect the children from the possibility of ever being called “Illegitimate” which is a social stigma in patrilineal societies.
The society, in spite of the absent of social ills such as dowry, caste system, untouchability and social inequality as compared to women of other states in the Indian union, yet, women here are subjected to many forms of human rights violations, incidence of crime against women are regular seen and reported in different part of the state and in particularly gruesome case of Rape & Murder, Trafficking of Women and Girls, High School dropout rate, Teenage pregnancy, Sexual and Reproductive Health, Destitute & Single Mothers, High incidence of Desertion & Divorce, Poor Representation particularly in public life and decision making at all levels are the most pertinent issue affecting women that needs to be highlighted in every possible manner in our state.
Even from the Goverment are emphasise that the reality of the ` existing Legal and justice system is that large section of the population is handicapped by poverty; illiteracy and ignorance of Law, due to this reason large section of people suffer from injustice. They become victims of their Legal rights without any remedies. The fundamental freedom as citizen of a democratic country i.e, India as despite declaration in the preamble of the constitution, of securing Justice economic, social and political, Justice is beyond the reach of the large segment of the society.
Everyone is supposed to know the law of the land where one lives. If one does not know about it, then he/she cannot take the plea of ignorance. “ Ignorance of law is no excuse.” This principle applies to laymen like us. In a society everyone should be legally aware so that we can fight against any injustice in the society. In the present context, as the head of the commission, we are dealing with several cases which are so complex in nature and it became a huge challenge to tackle every year.
Legal right for women are very important to be aware of as it is important tools that helps fight back any discrimination in our day to day lives, these rights are as follows;Everyone woman has the rights to Legal aid and if you can’t afford it, you should demand for it. (Cases of Mawthadraishan Synjuk Ki Seng Kynthei MSCW).
Right to privacy to record her statement in private without being overhead by anyone else. (Rape victim)The Self-respect of Women comes before anything else, the police in any way cannot say NO to register her complaint, no matter how late it takes to lodge a complaint. (Re-employment of a wife at MeEcl)
A women has the privilege of lodging a complaint via email or registered post if she can’t go to the police station, the written complaint or email can be addressed to the Deputy Commissioners or Commissioners of Police (SP) who will then directs the SHO of the police station of the area where the incident occurred to conduct proper verification of the complainant and lodge an FIR. The police can come over to the residence of the victim to take her statement.
Sometimes, the police station under which the incident occurs refuses to register the victim’s complaint in order to keep clear of responsibility, and tries sending the victim to another police station. In such cases, under the Zero FIR ruling by Supreme Court, any victim has the rights to lodge an FIR at any police station in the city.
According to a Supreme ruling, a woman cannot be arrested after sunset and before sunrise. In case the women has committed a serious crime, a written statement from the magistrate explaining why the arrest is necessary during the night.
Women cannot be called to the police station for interrogation. The police can go to her residence accompanying by a women police constable and family members or friends. Similarly Rape and sexual assault victims have right to Anonymity and cannot be forces to go to the police station for their statement.
Printing and publishing the name or any matter to make known the identity of a women against whom an offense has been committed is punishable, to prevent social victimization or ostracism of the victim of a sexual offense even when the judgement is in progress at any high court or lower court.
Rape is a crime and not a medical condition. It is a legal term and not a diagnosis made by the medical officer treating the victim, whether or not the rape has occurred or not is a legal conclusion and the medical officer can’t decide on the case. It is mandatory for all firms, public and private to set up complaints committee to create a Sexual Harassment Complaints Committee within the organisation to resolve matters of sexual harassment to be headed by women and comprise of 50% women as members.
with the view to observe the ‘World Human Rights Day’ a programme was organized by the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA) East Khasi Hills with the Jail Inmates of the Shillong District Jail which was Chaired by the District and Sessions Judge, East Khasi Hills cum Chairman DLSA to give awareness on the various human and legal rights of UTPs undergoing trial and convicts undergoing sentence.
In this regard, resource persons who spoke on the occasion were Shri Vivek Syiem SP(City) East Khasi Hills, Shri V.G.K Kynta , Senior Advocate, High Court of Meghalaya, Smti Rubina Subba, representative from NACO, Sr. Medical & Health Officer, District Jail Shillong, Smti K.R Mehra, Legal Aid Counsel DLSA . Topics touched upon were on procedures of arrests to be observed by Police, police interrogation, trial and production, health and well being of UTPs. There was also an interactive session over tea with all the inmates to listen to their problems . The DLSA also made a visit to all the Jail Cells i.e General Jail Ward, Women’s’ Cell and High Security Cell.
