Kerala State Human Rights Commission struggles with rights violation cases

Thiruvananthapuram: Around 13,000 cases of human rights violations are reported in the state every year. This has been stated by the State Human Rights Commission on the occasion of Human Rights Day on Saturday. This year till date, 12,459 cases were received by the commission which has been left with just two members with others, including the chairman, completing their terms. It was finding it difficult to dispose of these cases under such circumstances. In 2015, the total number of cases received was 12,877. In that year, 12,740 cases, including those pending during the previous years, were disposed of.

In 2014, 12,940 were received and 12,894 cases, including those received during the previous year, were disposed of. Commission member K. Mohankumar said that the same was the case with most human rights commissions in the country. There were not many retired High Court chief justices who are willing to take up the responsibility. The state has not amended the human rights Act to tide over the crisis, Mr Mohankumar said.

The government had also failed to implement the assurances given to the commission. In 2011, when infant deaths due to malnutrition were reported in Attappady, the government had given a list of measures to be implemented there. However, none was taken up. The same assurances were reiterated in 2016 also when infant deaths due to malnutrition were reported again, Mr Mohankumar said. The government had failed to pay compensation to the families of four children who died in a quarry accident in Malappuram district. The government apathy to implement the recommendations of the commission was killing the spirit of a great Act, Mr Mohankumar said.