T E N Y E A R S O F T H E C O M M I S S I O N I N R E T RO S P E C T ● Further, the views of the Commission in respect of discrimination based on "race", "caste" and "descent" were crystallized and authoritatively enunciated in the statement that was made on its behalf at the World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance held in Durban between 31 August-8 September 2001. The Commission expressed the opinion that "the exchange of views on human rights matters, whether at the national, regional or international level, can all contribute constructively to the promotion and protection of such rights." It added that it was not the "nomenclature" of the form of discrimination that must engage our attention, but the fact of its persistence. The Commission observed that the Constitution of India, in article 15, expressly prohibits discrimination on grounds both of "race" and "caste" and that constitutional guarantee had to be vigorously implemented. The Commission held the view that the instruments of governance in the country, and the energetic and committed non-governmental sector of society that existed, could unitedly triumph over historical injustices that had hurt the weakest sections of our country, particularly Dalits and Adivasis. The Commission concluded that this was, above all, a national responsibility and a moral imperative that can and must be honoured. ● Subsequent to the Durban Conference, the Commission set in train a number of measures to ensure appropriate follow-up to the decisions taken in respect of the issues discussed at that Conference. ● Rights of Persons displaced by Mega Projects: This has concerned the Commission continuously since 1996-97 when the plight of those dispossessed by the Bargi dam first came before the Commission. In the light of that situation, and other comparable situations, the Commission in 2000-2001 spelt out the need for a revised national policy to deal with greater sensitivity with this issue. Specifically, the Commission has urged that the resettlement and rehabilitation of persons displaced through the acquisition of land for such projects should be part of the provisions of the Land Acquisition Act itself, or be the subject of appropriate separate legislation, so that they are justiciable. The views of the Commission have been transmitted to the Cabinet. ● Rights of the Disabled: The Commission urged the adoption and proper implementation of the Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act, 1995. In 2000-2001, however, it considered it appropriate and necessary to propose a number ANNUAL REPORT 2002-2003 ... ... 23 ... ... ..