Chapter - 2 HIGHLIGHTS : 2013-2014 2.1 Human rights are universal legal guarantees protecting individuals and groups against actions and omissions that interfere with fundamental freedoms, entitlements and human dignity. Respect for human rights is essential to the sustainable achievement of global priorities of peace, development and democracy. Given their centrality, the strengthening of human rights in all the 193 Member States is the focus of the United Nations. But assuring human rights for all people remains a daunting challenge in each country, given the impunity with which they continue to be violated in all parts of the world. 2.2 Even today, billions continue to live in extreme poverty, and the huge disparity between rich and poor countries continues to grow. Violent conflicts continue to proliferate, sometimes uprooting entire communities, forcing millions of people to move away from their homes, political extremism and terrorism continue to target countless innocent civilians. The scourge of unemployment, discrimination and social exclusion bedevil all societies. And although globalization with the new information and communication technologies has brought the world closer together, it has also given rise to new threats to human security and human freedom. All this has benefitted anti-social elements of society, leading to increase in corruption, organized crime and transnational trafficking in illicit drugs, arms, toxic materials, even in human beings, in particular, women and children for exploitation of all kinds. 2.3 All human rights for all people in all countries should be the goal of the 21st century. The world today has the awareness, the resources and the capacity to achieve this goal on a worldwide scale. The real test, however, to a growing global population demanding a life of dignity, is the degree to which they are able to enjoy freedom from fear and want, without discrimination. This undoubtedly can be accomplished by democracy that is inclusive and has a culture of good governance and human rights. Inclusive democracy, good governance and human rights are mutually reinforcing as each facilitates the realization of the other. These are aspects on which focused attention needs to be given by any country, including India, if the ultimate goal of ‘all human rights for all’ in line with the post-2015 agenda is to be achieved. 2.4 NHRC, India has been constantly monitoring these features to ensure the protection and promotion of human rights in respect of people of this country. The ensuing paragraphs give an overview of the significant activities undertaken by the Commission during the period April 2013 to March 2014. NHRC Shifts to its Own Building 2.5 The Commission shifted to its own new building on 9 September 2013 – Manav Adhikar Bhawan in INA, New Delhi. Inaugurating the new premises, Justice Shri K. G. NHRC | 3