Amidst election manifestos, the proposal to include disability as a distinct ground for discrimination under Article 15 of the Constitution has garnered attention, offering hope to the disability rights movement for constitutional reform.
Call for Constitutional Amendment
Coverage: Disability rights advocates push for amending Article 15 to explicitly cover disability as a discrimination ground.
India’s obligation: UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities echoes this demand in 2019, highlighting India's obligation under international conventions.
Persistent gap: Despite global strides in disability rights, India has yet to address this longstanding omission in its constitutional framework.
Legal Framework and Constitutional Recognition
Significant achievement: Adoption of the UNCRPD in 2006 and the enactment of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act in 2016 mark significant milestones.
Gaps in current provisions: Current legal provisions offer protection against discrimination on a statutory basis, falling short of constitutional guarantee.
Need of constitutional recognition: There is urgent necessity of constitutional recognition to provide robust remedies and demonstrate a deeper commitment to disability rights.
Political Will and Advocacy Efforts
Growing awareness: Inclusion of disability as a ground under Article 15 gains traction within political discourse, reflecting growing awareness of disability rights.
Efforts in the right direction: Noteworthy initiatives by disability rights organizations, like the release of a disability-focused manifesto, underscore the persistent advocacy efforts.
Shift in attitudes: Furthermore, it signals a potential shift in political attitudes towards addressing the longstanding demands of the disability rights movement.
The European Court of Human Rights holds Switzerland accountable for inadequate climate action, signalling a new era where climate change intersects with human rights. Similar recognition emerges in India, emphasizing the right to be free from climate change impacts.
Legal Recognition of Climate Change as a Human Rights Issue
Guilty: European Court of Human Rights finds Switzerland guilty of violating women's rights due to inadequate climate action.
Recognition in India: Supreme Court of India recognizes the right to be free from adverse climate impacts under constitutional provisions.
Urgency to address climate change: World Meteorological Organization's report highlights 2023 as the hottest year on record, underscoring the urgency of addressing climate change as a human rights crisis.
India's Progress and Vulnerabilities
India’s vulnerability: India achieves two Nationally Determined Contribution targets ahead of schedule, but remains highly vulnerable to climate change.
Risk of residence: Over 80% of India's population resides in districts at risk of climate-induced disasters, exacerbating socio-economic inequalities.
Rights perspective of climate change: Urgent need to address climate change impacts from a rights perspective to safeguard health, life, and liberty.
Pathways for Enhanced Climate Action
Proposal for an overarching regulation on climate change in India to strengthen governance and accountability.
Adoption of climate change framework laws from countries like Germany and South Africa can guide India in enhancing climate governance.
Leveraging India's localisation model for Sustainable Development Goals to integrate climate action into local-level planning and implementation.
Recent earthquakes in Taiwan highlight the importance of earthquake preparedness and building resilience in tectonically active regions, offering valuable lessons for earthquake-prone countries like India.
Understanding Earthquake Occurrence and Impact
Occurrence: Earthquakes occur along tectonic plate boundaries due to the movement of Earth's lithospheric plates.
Earthquake prone area: The Himalayan region, formed by the convergence of the Indian and Eurasian plates, is prone to powerful earthquakes.
Different impacts: Variations in seismic activity and building resilience contribute to differences in earthquake impact, as seen in recent earthquakes in Taiwan and India.
Taiwan's Response and Preparedness
Building codes and reforms: Taiwan has experienced significant earthquakes and has implemented stringent building codes and disaster management reforms.
Advanced methods: Advanced earthquake monitoring networks, early warning systems, and public awareness campaigns contribute to Taiwan's earthquake preparedness.
Innovative technologies like seismic dampers and base isolation systems enhance building resilience, as exemplified by Taipei 101's tuned mass damper.
Lessons for India and Recommendations
Need to prioritize safety: India, undergoing infrastructural expansion in earthquake-prone regions like the Himalayas, must prioritize seismic safety.
Compliance with seismic codes, construction of engineered structures, and enforcement of seismic regulations are essential for mitigating earthquake risks.
Utilizing regional seismic codes tailored to local earthquake activity and promoting earthquake-resistant architectural styles can enhance building resilience in India.