Averthanus L. D'Souza: Will the Human Rights Commission take cognizance only of allegations made by individuals or groups of citizens of violation of their rights by other citizens or groups of citizens - or will this Commission also entertain complaints made by the citizens of the violation of their rights by the Government itself? Our experience, specially in more recent times, shows that the biggest violater of human rights is the Government itself. In collusion with land sharks, the Government has acquired and sold off huge amounts of prime agricultural land to Real Estate developers without the consent of the citizens - who have now risen up, unanimously in protest, now that the enormity of the sell-out has become clearer. The Government has illegally permitted the incursion of casinos into the river waters of Goa in total violation of its own laws. The Government has permitted the denudation of forests in spite of public protests. Under the guise of promoting tourism in the State, the Government has made Goa into a safe haven for the import, transshipment, and use of narcotic drugs. Under the very nose of the Government, Goa has become the destination for international prostitution and the sexual abuse of children.
Comment: I would welcome the setting up of a Human Rights Commission even if flawed.I would expect it to have similar terms of reference as that of the National Human Rights Commission , if not the International Human Rights Commission. By your own statements, the government is seen as the biggest violator of human rights and needs to be checked and kept under control. We had the recent spectacle of the leader of the opposition labelling Sebastian Rodriges as a naxalite. we have read instances of villagers who have been arrested and cases filed against them for protesting against illegal mining. I forsee in the days to come many more instances of abuse of human rights as the struggle against illegal mining, illegal construction and corruption reaches its peak. Regards, Marshall
