NHRC to host conference on displaced persons

The National Human Rights Commission is organizing a two-day National Conference on March 24 and 25 on Relief and Rehabilitation of Displaced Persons.

New Delhi, Mar.19 : The National Human Rights Commission is organizing a two-day National Conference on March 24 and 25 on "Relief and Rehabilitation of Displaced Persons".

The focus of the Conference will be on persons who have been displaced temporarily or permanently due to natural disasters, man-made disasters, developmental interventions, conflicts etc.

The Conference will discuss whether the current domestic legal and institutional framework was adequate to address rights implications of displacement, How do State Rehabilitation Acts address this issue, Are human rights concerns mainstreamed in the relief and rehabilitation process, Do the present Disaster Plans and Guidelines drawn up at various levels incorporate human rights concerns, How do we ensure that human rights are better integrated into various legislations, policies, plans drawn at different levels to deal with disaster-related displacement as well as development related displacement, What would be the most effective strategies to deal with relief and rehabilitation of displaced persons, Do the Land Acquisition Bill, 2007 and Rehabilitation and Resettlement Bill, 2007 integrate human rights concerns to protect rights of displaced persons, and If not, what further changes could be made in these Bills from the human rights standpoint to better protect the rights of displaced persons. What recommendations could be made in this regard to the Department-related Standing Committee of the Parliament on Rural Development?

The NHRC will seek the views of all stakeholders on these important questions.

Senior officials from all States and Union Territories dealing with the subject, Union Ministries concerned, academics, NGOs, senior representatives of the National Commission for Women/SC/ST/Minorities/Children and State Human Rights Commissions and major UN agencies in India will participate in this conference.

ANI