Uphold dignity and protect rights of the dead: NHRC to govt
THE APEX HUMAN RIGHTS BODY RECOMMENDED THAT THERE SHOULD NOT BE MASS BURIALS/ CREMATIONS
NEW DELHI: With disturbing reports of mishandling of Covid victims’ dead bodies coming from across the country, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on Friday recommended that the government should enact special legislation to uphold the dignity and protect the rights of the dead.
It recommended that there should not be mass burials/cremations or piling up of bodies during transportation as that was in violation of the right to dignity of the dead. The apex human rights body sent a detailed advisory to the ministry of home affairs, ministry of health and family welfare and states/union territories in this regard. HT reviewed the advisory.
“In order to ensure that dignity is upheld during handling of dead bodies, the cremation/burial ground staff must be sensitised about proper handling of the dead body. Further, they need to be provided the necessary safety equipment and facilities so that they may perform their duty efficiently without any fear or risk,” the advisory said.
Asserting that Article 21 of the Constitution applies not only to the living but also to the dead, the commission said, “It is the duty of the State to protect the rights of the deceased and prevent crime over the dead body”.
Although there is no specific law in India for protecting the rights of the dead, the NHRC pointed out that several international covenants, Supreme Court and high court judgements as well as guidelines issued by various governments from time to time emphasised on maintaining Covid protocols and giving a decent burial/cremation according to the religious customs and practices applicable.
The advisory stated asked authorities to urgently set up temporary crematoriums in view of the large number of Covid deaths and long queues of bodies seen piled at crematoriums.
It said the use of electric crematoriums may be encouraged in order to avoid the health hazards emerging from the emission of smoke from burning pyres in large numbers, and that piling up of bodies during transportation or at any other place must not be allowed to happen.