Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Tuesday said his Government is committed to protecting the rights and upholding the dignity of people to bring transformation in the society and the entire system of governance.

“My Government is committed to protect the rights and upholding the dignity of people and is also working to ensure that no one is deprived of the basic facilities provided by the Government. Transformation can take place only if individual freedom and dignity are guaranteed,” Patnaik said attending the World Human Rights Day programme organised by the Odisha Human Rights Commission (OHRC).

He said human rights assume utmost importance in the present day world after adoption of the universal declaration of human rights by UN General Assembly in 1948. He expressed happiness that the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) became gender neutral and provided the same rights to women as it guaranteed to men.

“The critical mass of women in legislature and in other spheres of collective life is now understood as a step forward to the cause of human rights. By fielding women in one-third of the parliamentary seats of Odisha and creating numerous other opportunities for women empowerment, Odisha has created a revolutionary trend which is being acknowledged across the nation as a major step for inclusive politics and development,” he opined.

Mentioning about his proposal for inclusion of non-violence in the preamble of the Constitution, Patnaik said the inclusion would be a step forward in the protection of human rights.

He called upon all to uphold and protect human rights of all, especially of those who have become victims of structured forms of inequality and other forms of exclusion.

OHRC Chairman Justice BP Das was presided over the function. Former CJI Justice GB Patnaik and Law Minister Pratap Jena also spoke. OHRC Member Asim Amitabh Das gave the welcome address. The Chief Minister felicitated former OHRC Members Sudhansu Mohan Patnaik, RN Bohidar, BK Mishra and BK Patnaik.