excellent standard and prizes were awarded to winners on Human Rights Day 1996, at a function organized in New DeIhi. The annual debate took place on 21 January 1997, with officers competing from the BSF, CISF. CRPF, ITBP, NSG, RPF and the Assam Rifles. Speakers took the floor b ~ t hin Hindi and in English, the subject of the debate being, "It is no responsibility orduty of the para-military forces to observe human rights." Once again, the quality of the debate was both thoughtful and provocative and it sewed its purpose admirably. The running trophy was awarded to the team of the Assam Rifles: (D) POLITICAL PARTIES 6.15 The Commission remains constantly conscious of the critically important role that political parties play in furthering - or frustrating -the cause of human rights. Without their support, .understanding, energy and commitment, human rights cannot flourish in the country, for the message of democracy and of rights is, above all, to be carried to the people of India by them. .This is why the.Commission has greatly welcomed bpportunities to exchange ideas with the leadership of the political p a r f m h i n e ntre and in the States, and why it intensifieasuch contracts in the period leading I x p to the General Elections, urging that measures sympathetic to the cause of hum<n I rights, .such as t h e _ p ~ y i s i ~ ~ l e m e n t a ~ t t c a t i ~ n i ~ r - t children of India. be included in their party manifestos. The political parties have a mighty potential to champion and uphold the fundamental rights guaranteed by our Constitution. There couId.beJe_wWgreater gifts to the nation than if, in this fitieth year of Independence, they could harness that potential c--' --- -----I-+-' to fulfill the promise of Parts Ill and -tV of the Constitution. 6.16 pb>! I (E) SEMINARS AND WORKSHOPS 6.17 A number of major seminars were supported by the Commission during the year. T h ~ ywere variously organized by nongovernmental organizations, universities, the armed forces or State Human Rights Commissions. 6.18 Amongst these seminars was one on Iiuman Rights and Terrorism and Human Rights Education, held in Bangalore in August 1996, to commemorate the thirtieth anniversary of the International Convenant on Civil and Political Rights. It was addressed by the Prime Minister cf the couptry and attended, among others, by the Chairperson and Members of this Commission, the Chairman, Vice Chairman and two