‘Human Rights Day’ observed in Kohima, Dimapur

Along with the rest of the world, Nagaland observed “Human Rights Day 2022” under the global theme, “Dignity, Freedom, and Justice for All”.
The day also marked the launch of United Nations (UN) year-long campaign to promote and recognise the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). The 75th anniversary of the UDHRs will be celebrated on December 10, 2023.
According to UN, the year-long campaign would aim to showcase the UDHR by focusing on its legacy, relevance and activism. The campaign also seeks to shift the needle of understanding and action towards greater knowledge of the universality of the UDHR and the activism associated with it.
NVCO: International Human Rights Day was observed by the Nagaland Voluntary Consumers’ Organisation (NVCO) at the state capital, Kohima.
In a press release, NVCO stated that the organised observed the day with the rest of the world despite the state government just concentrating on the Hornbill Festival, “without setting up State Human Rights Commission in the state since its inception despite of several court directions in the past”.
While emphasizing on 2022 theme, NVCO president Kezhokhoto Savi said that both the declaration and WHO’s Constitution assert health as a fundamental human right for all people.
He said the right to health means leaving no one behind, that all persons should have access to health services without discrimination and related health inequities. Savi asserted that there could be no dignity, freedom and justice without health for all.
Recalling December 4, 2021 Oting incident, Savi said the human rights of the victims were violated in the highest degree in a democratic country, India.
He said the Armed Forces (Special Power) Act, 1958 was one of the main problems faced by the citizens of Nagaland.
Lamenting that knowledge about human rights was not popular among the citizens of Nagaland, as a result, he said violation of human rights was common in the state and that the purpose of the UDHR was defeated considerable number of times.
He then said that the core purpose of the United Nations was “deliberately failing as Nagaland state could not constitute a State Human Rights Commission till date”.
NDWM: National Domestic Workers Movement (NDWM) Nagaland region held its annual general body meeting-cum-observance of Human Rights Day on December 10 at Assisi Ground, Dimapur.
During the programme, UFS coordinator NDWM Nagaland Region and director Assisi Centre for Integrated Development (ACID), Sr Pramila highlighted the importance of Human Rights Day.
She explained that human rights are a set of principles concerned with equality and fairness and that it recognises one’s freedom to make choices about their lives and to develop their potential as human beings.
Sr Pramila also highlighted human rights such as equality, freedom, free from abuse and discrimination, freedom of religion, freedom of practice.
She said human rights ensures people have basic needs met, protect vulnerable groups from abuse, it allows people to stand up to societal corruption, it encourages freedom of speech and expression, it encourages equal work opportunities, gives access to education and it protects the environment.
During the programme, ANDWU president, Asenla briefed the gathering on the increment of the union membership while Hoyili invoked God’s blessings. The annual financial report and activities were presented by the union key person, Shaira and Sr Geeta compered the programme.