SHILLONG: Political entities often misuse the police force leading to human rights violations, said Governor Tathagata Roy on Monday.
Speaking at a programme on the occasion of International Human Rights Day organised by Meghalaya Human Rights Commission (MHRC), Roy said it is not always police excesses but sometimes inaction that leads to violations.
Roy said such people who do not believe in democracy take advantage when they come to power and use the police force in different ways to violate human rights.
He endorsed the view of state DGP R Chandranathan who said police officers have become more responsible and accountable in ensuring that the use of force in law enforcement does not exceed what is required.
The governor informed that since its formation on July 16, 2016, the MHRC has taken up as many as 16 cases, which include suo motu cases.
The member of MHRC, PJP Hanaman, highlighted on the salient features and functions of the commission. “Human rights must prevail over human wrong,” he said.
Hanaman also informed that position of a judicial member is still vacant.
Meanwhile, stating that law enforcement is a difficult business, the DGP went on to say that law enforcement has a negative calling.
“The system of policing has an element of the use of force. It is the responsibility of police officer that this use of force is not disproportionate but has to be justified in law,” he said.
According to the DGP, emphasis is laid on improving the system of policing. However, he observed that cops in police stations “have not changed much as they still exhibit the acquired behaviour of British officers”.
On the growing impact of social media, Chandranathan said news interpretation reach public space even before facts are known to people.
Editor of The Shillong Times Patricia Mukhim said the media should be reporting human rights abuses as it happens every day and a need to unearth violations by the state, non-state actors and the powerful.
Speaking about the need for space to express independently to give voice to the weakest and the least privileged, she said media houses are often pulled to the courts with defamation cases against them used as a tool to suppress free speech.
She said, “Our duty as human rights defenders is to hold power holders unaccountable not only for their action but their inaction.”
Mukhim said the media expect the MHRC to take up suo motu reports in the media that deserve attention.
Roy also said India has a reason to worry about the increasing human rights violations in its neighbouring countries since it is seen as a refuge for the victims.
He was speaking at the International Human Rights Day organised by the Meghalaya Human Rights Commission on Monday at Yojana Bhavan here.
Pointing to the entry of Rohingya from Myanmar in the backdrop of human rights violations, he said, “A lot of Rohingya have entered India and it is not very good news.”
According to Roy, there is possibility of the Rohingya being radicalised and becoming a threat to the Indian state.
He said although Bangladesh is the worst-affected country, India is not far behind.
“India is also a refuge for religious minorities in Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan who have been facing human rights violations,” he said.
