Annual Report 2012-2013 Workshop for Media Persons on Human Rights and Functioning of the NHRC 2.10 The Commission always believes that the media has an imperative role in the protection and promotion of human rights and remains in constant touch with it. In order to sensitize the media persons about the functioning of NHRC, methods of investigation adopted by it, research studies conducted by it and the role of media in reporting cases of human rights, a one-day 'Workshop for Media Persons on Human Rights and Functioning of the NHRC' was organized by the Commission in New Delhi on 27 April 2012. The workshop was inaugurated by Justice Shri K.G. Balakrishnan, Chairperson of NHRC and it was attended by 40 media persons from across the country. Interaction with Media 2.11 Apart from the workshop for Media Persons on 'Human Rights and Functioning of the NHRC', 8 press conferences and 29 interviews of Chairperson and Members were organized. These included, an interactive session with media personnel on 3 August 2012 by Shri Satyabrata Pal, Member, NHRC. He briefed them on the social and economic rights. On 26 October 2012, Justice Shri B. C. Patel, Member, NHRC briefed media persons on encounter and bonded labour issues. On 19 February 2013, in another interactive session with media persons, Shri Satyabrata Pal, Member responded to their several questions relating to a range of human rights issues. These included, among others, human trafficking and missing children, clinical drug trials, death penalty and open hearings held by the Commission relating to denial of rights to persons belonging to scheduled castes and atrocities committed against them. Dr. Ashok Sahu, Secretary General, NRHC was also present. 147 press releases issued during the year also served the purpose of interaction with media. Number and Nature of Complaints 2.12 With regard to the number and nature of complaints, the Commission continued to receive complaints from different parts of the country on a wide range of issues. These complaints included allegations of custodial deaths, torture, fake encounters, police highhandedness, starvation deaths, sexual harassment at work place, delay in payment of retirement benefits, delay in providing medical care in hospitals, irregularities in government hospitals/public health centers, environment pollution, inaction by the Central Government/State Government officers, violations by security forces, conditions prevailing in prisons, atrocities committed on women, children and other vulnerable groups, bonded and child labour, negligence by public authorities, etc. The Commission also took suo motu cognizance of many incidents based on reports in print and electronic media including cases reported during visits undertaken by its Chairperson, Members, Special Rapporteurs and officers. The Commission further took cognizance of the intimations received from the NHRC 5