○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ Introduction ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ 1.1 This is the Twelfth annual report of the National Human Rights Commission covering the period April 1, 2004 to March 31, 2005. 1.2 The Eleventh annual report of the Commission, for the period from April 1, 2003 to March 31, 2004 was forwarded to the Central Government on November 22, 2004 for placing the same before the Parliament. But at the time of writing the present annual report, the Eleventh annual report together with the Memorandum of Action Taken still remains to be placed before each House of Parliament, in accordance with the procedure envisaged under section 20(2) of the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993. 1.3 The Tenth annual report of the Commission, for the period 1st April 2002 to 31st March 2003 was forwarded to the Central Government on 14th November, 2003. It was tabled in the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha together with the Memorandum of Action Taken on 21.12.2004 and 22.12.2004 respectively. References to the communications/reports/letters, subsequent to 1.4.2005, wherever made, have been done as the same were received during the preparation of the report. 1.4 The annual reports of the Commission serve as an essential sources of information on the human rights situation in the country. The Commission, therefore, expresses its deep concern over the delay in placing the annual report before the Parliament. The delay in tabling the report leads to further delay in getting a feed back about the action taken by the Government, and denies timely and comprehensive information on the work and concerns of the Commission, to the Members of Parliament and an opportunity to discuss its contents at the earliest and most appropriate time. The Commission urges the Central Government to National Human Rights Commission Annual Report - 2004-2005 AR-Chapter-1-19-10-6-06.p65 21 1 7/17/06, 6:29 PM