Release of human rights manifesto

Civil Society Groups and Human Rights activists urged major political parties to include issues of human rights and ways to tackle their abuse in their 2018 Assembly election manifesto.

Releasing the ‘Human Rights Manifesto for Karnataka State Assembly Election 2018’ on Monday, Mathews Philip, Executive Director of the South India Cell for Human Rights Education and Monitoring, said the civil society group had been submitting recommendations on human rights issues to political parties since the past three elections. Although some political parties included several suggestions, its implementation has not been satisfactory.

The manifesto, which has been endorsed by over 55 civil groups and 26 individual activists, highlighted issues, under 13 categories, which include judiciary, human rights, responsible governance, inclusion of human rights education; child and women rights.

The groups suggested effective functioning of existing special courts to try crimes against children, proper amendments to the rules to ensure the structure and functioning of human rights institutions; transparency in governance by further strengthening the RTI Act; passing the proposed Human Rights Defenders Protection Bill, among others.

“Grama Sabhas should be strengthened to reduce the pressure on courts,”said Mr. Philip.