Annual Report 2013-14 Balakrishnan, Chairperson, NHRC expressed satisfaction over having its own space after a span of 20 years since inception. NHRC Celebrates its 20th Anniversary 2.6 The NHRC celebrated its 20th anniversary on 12 October 2013 by organizing a cultural programme in which officers and the staff of the Commission also participated. As part of the Foundation Day celebrations, prizes were given to the winners of Children’s Painting Competition and winners of Essay Writing in Hindi. NHRC Observes Human Rights Day 2.7 The Commission observed the Human Rights Day by organizing a special function at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi on 10 December 2013. The Chief Guest for the occasion was Hon’ble Shri M. Hamid Ansari, Vice President of India. In light of the theme for 2013 Human Rights Day - “20 Years : Working for Your Rights”, Hon’ble Shri Ansari spoke on “Human Rights and Human Wrongs”. Incidentally, 2013 Human Rights Day marked the 20th anniversary of the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and NHRC, India. Commission’s Meetings 2.8 During the year under review, the Full Commission deliberated upon and decided various cases of human rights violations in 45 sittings. In addition, the two Division Benches considered 1,228 cases in 89 sittings. Other important cases were also considered in three open camp sittings of the Commission. In accordance with Section 3(3) of the PHRA, the Statutory Full Commission consisting of deemed Members of National Commissions for Minorities, Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Women met on 4 February 2014 to discuss issues relating to coordination and other important aspects within these Commissions. NHRC’s Open Hearings on Atrocities against Scheduled Castes 2.9 As in the past, the Commission during the period under review, held two open hearings – one at Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh on 25 & 26 November 2013. The other open hearing was held in the premises of the Commission at New Delhi on 12 December 2013 covering Districts of Meerut, Ghaziabad, Bulandshahar and Gautambudh Nagar in Uttar Pradesh. Cases of atrocities that were brought to the notice of the Commission related to police inaction, biased investigation by police officers, crime against women, sexual assault, civil dispute and civil matters. NHRC Camp Sittings in Chhattisgarh, Manipur and Uttar Pradesh 2.10 The NHRC has been organizing camp sittings in State capitals in order to expedite disposal of pending complaints as well as review the progress made by the State functionaries 4 | NHRC