Mail News Service New Delhi, Oct 19 : Speaking on the occasion of NHRC Inter-Central Armed Police Forces Debate Competition on Human Rights held here yesterday Justice Sh. K.G. Balakrishnan, Chairperson, NHRC said that criminal justice system needs to be corrected to ensure speedy trial by setting up of more courts. Steps should also be taken to increase the number of police personnel in various parts of the country to expedite the process of fast investigation and hearing for convection of criminals. Congratulating the winners of the Debate Competition, Justice Balakrishnan said that despite the challenges of their duties, the security forces should not compromise with the rule of law and human rights. He said that people only with a narrow mind can say that national security will be compromised by respecting human rights. Role of security forces in upholding human rights is well defined. The security forces have to operate in difficult situations, but for these special powers have also been given to them to deal with extreme situations. Counter terrorism and counter intelligence should not undermine the democratic rule of law. The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) bagged the overall best team rolling trophy winning the final round of All India Inter-Central Armed Police Forces Debate competition in Hindi and English, organized by the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) under the aegis of National Human Rights Commission. The topic of the debate competition was “Human Rights can be observed by Para Military Forces only by endangering national security”. Prof. B.T. Kaul said that there are rights which should be respected, but all Fundamental Rights are subject to reasonable restrictions. Sh. A.K. Suri said that it is possible to deal with the most difficult situations without violating human rights. Earlier, welcoming the participants and the guests, Sh. R.C. Tayal, Additional Director General, Sashastra Seema Bal said that the things are difficult in insurgency areas. He said that the problem is not with the Acts like Armed Forces Special Power Act (AFSPA) but with the misuse of such Acts. Human Rights are sacrosanct to civil society. Peace can be guaranteed only by holding these values. The NHRC has been organizing this debate competition in Hindi and English since 1996. The debate is initially conducted at eight zonal levels and short listed 64 debaters and then the semi final and final rounds are conducted. The responsibility to hold debate under the aegis of the NHRC is entrusted to one of the Para Military Forces on rotation, and this year the SSB shared this responsibility.
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