President Murmu Emphasizes India's Commitment to Human Rights

President Droupadi Murmu addressed the Human Rights Day celebrations organized by the National Human Rights Commission(NHRC) in New Delhi. In her address, the President underlined that, with a rich civilisational history dating back to over 5,000 years, India has always encouraged the sentiments of fraternity, equality, and dignity among people living in a harmonious society. She recognized the enormous efforts by institutions such as the NHRC, SHRCs, civil society, human rights defenders, and monitors who tirelessly work to protect human rights. The President also appreciated the NHRC for its proactive approach in addressing human rights violations, raising awareness, and recommending policy changes that protect marginalized communities.

The President said that India is steadfast in its commitment to guaranteeing to all the citizens, the civic and political rights. The Government also guarantees a number of socio-economic and cultural rights, spanning from providing housing, clean drinking water, improved sanitation, electricity, cooking gas and financial services to healthcare and education for all. The provision of basic necessities is seen as a matter of rights.

The President said that as we progress into the future, we are confronted with emerging challenges. Cybercrimes and climate change are new threats to human rights. The digital era, while transformative, has brought with it complex issues such as cyberbullying, deepfake, privacy concerns, and the spread of misinformation. These challenges underscore the importance of fostering a safe, secure, and equitable digital environment that protects the rights and dignity of every individual.

The President said that Artificial Intelligence has now entered our day-to-day life, solving many problems and creating several new ones too. The human rights discourse so far has been centred on the human agency, that is, the violator is assumed to be a human being, who would have a range of human emotions such as compassion and guilt. With AI, however, the culprit could be a non-human but intelligent agent.

The President said that climate change forces us to review the human rights thinking at the global level. Polluters of a different place and a different era are affecting the lives of people in another place and another period. India, as the voice of Global South, has rightly taken up the leadership in climate action. The government’s initiatives, such as the 2022 Energy Conservation (Amendment) Bill, the Green Credit Initiative, and the Lifestyle for Environment, or LiFE, Movement, are clear demonstrations of India’s commitment to building a clean and green planet for future generations.

The President said that in recent years, mental health has become an increasingly important issue, especially for our children and youth. She appealed to all stakeholders to initiate adequate measures to alleviate the stress that affect our children and young people. She urged business leaders to ensure that the growing ‘gig economy’ does not adversely affect the mental health of gig workers. As we embrace new economic models, we must ensure that the well-being of all individuals, especially those in vulnerable sectors, remains a priority. We all must work towards removing any stigma associated with mental illness, creating awareness and providing help to those in need of it.

The President said that on the Human Rights Day, we should renew our collective commitment to the values of justice, equality, and dignity that define our nation. As we continue to confront the challenges of our time, we must uphold the fundamental rights of every individual and ensure that no one is left behind. She said that together, through sustained effort and solidarity, we can build a future in which every person, regardless of age, background, or circumstance, is empowered to lead a life of dignity, opportunity, and fulfilment.

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