‘Human rights don’t obstruct security forces’

 Human rights do not obstruct security forces from performing their duties, they merely ask that excessive force be avoided, National Human Rights Commission acting chairperson, Justice Cyriac Joseph, said on Wednesday. Addressing an all-India inter-paramilitary forces debate competition organised by the NHRC, Justice Joseph allayed apprehension of security personnel while affirming that all that was required of them was that they respect human rights while discharging their duties.

“Human rights are universally recognised values to uphold the dignity of an individual in normal circumstances... a terrorist’s rights can be curtailed as human rights do not deny the security forces the right to self-defence,” said Justice Joseph.