National Human Rights Commission

About

• The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) is a statutory body in India, established under the provisions of the Protection of Human Rights Act of 1993.
• It serves as the watchdog of human rights in the country.
• It is tasked with safeguarding rights regarding life, liberty, equality, and dignity of members, which might be assured by the Constitution of India and embodied in the international covenants.
• The Headquarters of the National Human Rights Commission is in New Delhi.
• The Commission can also establish places of work in other places in India.

Objectives 

• To strengthen the institutional preparations through which human rights issues will be addressed in their entirety in a more focussed way,
• To look at the allegations of excesses, independently of the government, in a way that might underline the government’s commitment to protect human rights,
• To complement and strengthen the efforts which have already been made in this direction.

Composition of National Human Rights Commission (NHRC)

• The commission is a multi-member body such as the subsequent full-time members:
  • A Chairperson, and
  • 5 other members
• In addition to these full-time members, the fee also has the following 7 ex-officio members:
  • Chairperson of the National Commission for Minorities,
  • Chairperson of the National Commission for SCs,
  • Chairperson of the National Commission for STs,
  • Chairperson of the National Commission for Women,
  • Chairperson of the National Commission for BCs,
  • Chairperson of the National Commission for the Protection of Child Rights, and
  • The Chief Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities.

Functions of the NHRC

• To inquire into any violation of human rights or negligence inside the prevention of such violation by a public servant, either suo motu or on a petition offered to it or on an order of a court.
• To intrude in any intending involving an allegation of violation of human rights pending before a court.
• To visit jails and detention locations to observe the living conditions of inmates and make suggestions thereon.
• To assess the constitutional and different legal safeguards for the safety of human rights and suggest measures for their powerful implementation.
• To review the factors which include acts of terrorism that inhibit the amusement of human rights and endorse remedial measures.
• To observe treaties and other international systems on human rights and make recommendations for their effective implementation.
• To adopt and promote research in the discipline of human rights.
• To unfold human rights literacy among the human beings and promote awareness of the safeguards available for the protection of these rights.
• To inspire the efforts of non-governmental businesses (NGOs) working in the subject of human rights.

Working of National Human Rights Commission

• The commission has its own nucleus of investigating workforce for research into complaints of human rights violations.
• It also can utilize the services of any officer or investigation business enterprise of the Central or any state government for investigating functions.
• The Commission has also established effective cooperation with the NGOs to get hold of first-hand information about human rights violations.

Powers of NHRC

• The NHRC is vested with the power to modify its own manner.
• It has all the powers of a Civil Court and its complaints have a judicial character.
• It may also call for records or reports from the Central and State Governments or another subordinate authority thereof.
• The Commission isn’t empowered to inquire into any matter after the expiry of 12 months from the date on which the Act constituting a violation of human rights is said to have been dedicated.
  • In other phrases, it can inspect a count within 365 days of its incidence.
• The Commission might also take any of the subsequent steps during or upon the completion of an inquiry:
  • To propose to the concerned government or authority to make payment of reimbursement or damages to the sufferer.
  • To advise the concerned government or authority the initiation of proceedings for prosecution or any other action against the guilty public servant.
  • To advocate to the concerned government or authority for the provide of immediate meantime remedy to the sufferer.
  • To approach the Supreme Court or the High Court concerned for the vital guidelines, orders, or writs.

Nature of Functions of NHRC

• The features of the National Human Rights Commission are specifically recommendatory in nature.
• It has no power of its own to punish the violators of human rights, nor to award any alleviation which includes financial relief to the sufferer.
• Its guidelines aren’t binding on the concerned government or authority.
• But, it must be informed about the movement taken on its recommendations within one month.

Role of NHRC w.r.t. Armed Forces

• The National Human Rights Commission has a restrained position, powers and jurisdiction with respect to the violation of human rights by the members of the militia.
• In this respect, the Commission may be searching for a record from the Central Government and make its hints based on them.
• The Central government has to inform the Commission about the action taken on the guidelines within 3 months.

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