News & Announcement
Awareness Programme on Suicide Prevention Conducted at State Central Prison
Gangtok, September 11 (IPR): The Sikkim State Human Rights Commission conducted an awareness programme on suicide prevention at the State Central Prison, Rongyek, today, in the presence of the Chairperson, Sikkim State Human Rights Commission, Hon’ble Justice Madam Meenakshi Madan Rai, as the Chief Guest.
In her address, Hon’ble Justice Madam Meenakshi Madan Rai highlighted the significance of World Suicide Prevention Day, observed annually on September 10. She emphasised the importance of mental well-being in leading a healthy and peaceful life and briefed the inmates on the procedures for filing appeals and the availability of para-legal services.
Highlighting the theme of changing the narrative from silence to compassion and from despair to hope, she spoke about the stigma associated with suicide and the need to encourage open conversations on mental well-being. She urged society to approach individuals experiencing mental health challenges with compassion rather than judgment. She also briefed the gathering on the signs of depression and encouraged the inmates to avail themselves of the services of psychologists and psychiatrists provided through the Sikkim State Legal Services Authority.
She further encouraged the inmates to interact and support one another and emphasised that mental health conditions should be treated with the same seriousness as physical illnesses and can be managed with appropriate care and treatment.
L.R.-cum-Secretary, Law and Parliamentary Affairs, and Sikkim State Human Rights Commission, Mr Suraj Chettri, in his address, provided an overview of the evolution of human rights institutions at the global and national levels. He stated that the Sikkim State Human Rights Commission (SSHRC) was constituted on October 18, 2008, by the Government of Sikkim under Section 21(1) of the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993, vide Notification No. 101/HOME/2008 dated October 18, 2008.
Emphasising the importance of upholding human rights, Mr Chettri underscored the need to ensure dignity, equality and fair treatment for all. He also highlighted the composition of the Sikkim State Human Rights Commission, comprising:
1. Chairperson — a person who is or has been a Chief Justice or Judge of a High Court.
2. One Judicial Member — a person who is or has been a Judge of a High Court, or a District Judge in the State with at least seven years of experience as a District Judge.
3. One Human Rights Member — a person having knowledge of or practical experience in matters relating to human rights.
He clarified that the Commission comprises one Chairperson and two Members, while the Secretary functions as the administrative and Chief Executive Officer of the Commission and is not counted among the three members.
Highlighting the functions of the Commission, Mr Chettri stated that its principal responsibilities include inquiring into allegations of human rights violations, investigating negligence by public servants in preventing such violations, visiting detention institutions to assess the conditions of persons housed therein, reviewing legal and constitutional safeguards for the protection of human rights, promoting human rights awareness and research, and recommending appropriate measures for the effective protection and promotion of human rights.
He stated that there have been instances where, based on recommendations of the Sikkim State Human Rights Commission, the State Government provided compensation to victims. He also highlighted the establishment of a Human Rights Court in the State to facilitate the speedy trial of offences arising out of human rights violations.
Mr Chettri urged the inmates to report instances of human rights violations within one year of their occurrence. He also emphasized the importance of skill development to facilitate effective reintegration into society and encouraged the inmates to view the correctional facility as a space for rehabilitation and positive transformation.
Member, Sikkim State Human Rights Commission, Mr Dorjee Dadul Bhutia, in his address, emphasised the living conditions of the inmates and the importance of ensuring their basic human rights.
The programme also featured an interactive session between the inmates of the State Central Prison and members of the Sikkim State Human Rights Commission. Following the session, the Commission members inspected the female inmates’ barrack.
The welcome address was delivered by the Jailor, State Central Prison, Dr Passang Chopel Bhutia.
The programme was also attended by ADGP, State Central Prison, Mr Avichal; DIG, State Central Prison, Mr S.T Tonyot; ASP, State Central Prison, Ms Savitri Pradhan; Joint Secretary, Home Department, Mr Topden Zangpo; personnel of the Sikkim State Jail; officials of the Sikkim State Human Rights Commission; and other dignitaries.
In her address, Hon’ble Justice Madam Meenakshi Madan Rai highlighted the significance of World Suicide Prevention Day, observed annually on September 10. She emphasised the importance of mental well-being in leading a healthy and peaceful life and briefed the inmates on the procedures for filing appeals and the availability of para-legal services.
Highlighting the theme of changing the narrative from silence to compassion and from despair to hope, she spoke about the stigma associated with suicide and the need to encourage open conversations on mental well-being. She urged society to approach individuals experiencing mental health challenges with compassion rather than judgment. She also briefed the gathering on the signs of depression and encouraged the inmates to avail themselves of the services of psychologists and psychiatrists provided through the Sikkim State Legal Services Authority.
She further encouraged the inmates to interact and support one another and emphasised that mental health conditions should be treated with the same seriousness as physical illnesses and can be managed with appropriate care and treatment.
L.R.-cum-Secretary, Law and Parliamentary Affairs, and Sikkim State Human Rights Commission, Mr Suraj Chettri, in his address, provided an overview of the evolution of human rights institutions at the global and national levels. He stated that the Sikkim State Human Rights Commission (SSHRC) was constituted on October 18, 2008, by the Government of Sikkim under Section 21(1) of the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993, vide Notification No. 101/HOME/2008 dated October 18, 2008.
Emphasising the importance of upholding human rights, Mr Chettri underscored the need to ensure dignity, equality and fair treatment for all. He also highlighted the composition of the Sikkim State Human Rights Commission, comprising:
1. Chairperson — a person who is or has been a Chief Justice or Judge of a High Court.
2. One Judicial Member — a person who is or has been a Judge of a High Court, or a District Judge in the State with at least seven years of experience as a District Judge.
3. One Human Rights Member — a person having knowledge of or practical experience in matters relating to human rights.
He clarified that the Commission comprises one Chairperson and two Members, while the Secretary functions as the administrative and Chief Executive Officer of the Commission and is not counted among the three members.
Highlighting the functions of the Commission, Mr Chettri stated that its principal responsibilities include inquiring into allegations of human rights violations, investigating negligence by public servants in preventing such violations, visiting detention institutions to assess the conditions of persons housed therein, reviewing legal and constitutional safeguards for the protection of human rights, promoting human rights awareness and research, and recommending appropriate measures for the effective protection and promotion of human rights.
He stated that there have been instances where, based on recommendations of the Sikkim State Human Rights Commission, the State Government provided compensation to victims. He also highlighted the establishment of a Human Rights Court in the State to facilitate the speedy trial of offences arising out of human rights violations.
Mr Chettri urged the inmates to report instances of human rights violations within one year of their occurrence. He also emphasized the importance of skill development to facilitate effective reintegration into society and encouraged the inmates to view the correctional facility as a space for rehabilitation and positive transformation.
Member, Sikkim State Human Rights Commission, Mr Dorjee Dadul Bhutia, in his address, emphasised the living conditions of the inmates and the importance of ensuring their basic human rights.
The programme also featured an interactive session between the inmates of the State Central Prison and members of the Sikkim State Human Rights Commission. Following the session, the Commission members inspected the female inmates’ barrack.
The welcome address was delivered by the Jailor, State Central Prison, Dr Passang Chopel Bhutia.
The programme was also attended by ADGP, State Central Prison, Mr Avichal; DIG, State Central Prison, Mr S.T Tonyot; ASP, State Central Prison, Ms Savitri Pradhan; Joint Secretary, Home Department, Mr Topden Zangpo; personnel of the Sikkim State Jail; officials of the Sikkim State Human Rights Commission; and other dignitaries.
