I have just come across a Facebook post of Touria Prayag, wherein she clarifies her appointment as Member of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), in response to critics. My first reaction, upon reading it, was that there was no need for her to explain herself. But then, I changed my mind: I believe she was absolutely right in setting the record in its just context, lest certain negationists might win over the right-thinking members of our society.
Strange as it may appear, memories do fade – hence the ‘devoir de mémoire’. People need to be reminded of her unflinching track record, more especially during these past ten years, when she relentlessly stood up against the former regime’s excesses, whilst others caved in. I can relate to this, as she and I have both, over these ten dark years, shared the same struggle. We have persistently written, and spoken, against all shades of abuses – whilst those in our respective professions sat comfortably on the fence of complacency. Touria even provided me with a forum to express my dissent, as a regular contributor of Weekly magazine, which she led courageously and fearlessly.
I have no doubt that Touria will keep upholding the same rigour in her new assignment with the NHRC. She has, in the person of its president, someone who is as integrous and independent as she is. I happen to have legally represented him, as then DPP, in his endless battles against the pervasive State and the now defunct ICAC, at a time when he was being ostracised and shunned, even by members of our legal profession. It was a very lonely battle. His persecution, and that of his successor, whom I also represented, have only recently come to an end, when the incumbent government removed all obstacles impeding the DPP’s independence.
The president of the NHRC, three of its members have themselves, during the past decade, all been unjustly victimised for standing up for what they believe to be right. They have all endured testing times, and must have built up their resilience. The population can thus rest assured that the NHRC consists of real men and women, made of flesh and blood, who are hopefully not insensitive to suffering and injustice. We trust that, as true human beings, they will readily recognise a human right abuse, and tackle it head on, when they see one.
Sanjay Bhuckory, SC
