NATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISION OF INDIA

>>The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) of India is an autonomous public body constituted on 12 October 1993 under the Protection of Human Rights Ordinance of 28 September 1993.It was given a statutory basis by the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993 (TPHRA).The NHRC is the national human rights institution, responsible for the protection and promotion of human rights, defined by the Act as "rights relating to life, liberty, equality and dignity of the individual guaranteed by the Constitution or embodied in the International Covenants".

Functions

·   Proactively or reactively inquire into violations of human rights or negligence in the prevention of such violation by a public servant

·  By leave of the court, to intervene in court proceeding relating to human rights

·   To visit any jail or other institution under the control of the State Government, where persons are detained or lodged for purposes of treatment, reformation or protection, for the study of the living conditions of the inmates and make recommendations

·   Review the safeguards provided by or under the Constitution or any law for the time being in force for the protection of human rights and recommend measures for their effective implementation

·   Review the factors, including acts of terrorism that inhibit the enjoyment of human rights and recommend appropriate remedial measures

·   To study treaties and other international instruments on human rights and make recommendations for their effective implementation

·  Undertake and promote research in the field of human rights

·  Engage in human rights education among various sections of society and promote awareness of the safeguards available for the protection of these rights through publications, the media, seminars and other available means

·  Encourage the efforts of NGOs and institutions working in the field of human rights

·   Such other function as it may consider it necessary for the protection of human rights.

Composition

The NHRC (National Human Rights Commission) consists of:

·  A Chairperson , retired Chief Justice of India

·  One Member who is, or has been, a Judge of the Supreme Court of India

·  One Member who is, or has been, the Chief Justice of a High Court

·   Two Members to be appointed from among persons having knowledge of, or practical experience in, matters relating to human rights

·   In addition, the Chairpersons of four National Commissions of ( 1.Minorities 2.SC 3.ST 4.Women) serve as ex officio members.

Current members

·         Chairperson: Cyriac Joseph

·         Justice Shri D. Murugesan

·         Shri Sharad Chandra Sinha

Ex-officio members:

·         Shri Naseem Ahmad, Chairperson, National Commission for Minorities

·         Panna Lal (P.L.) Punia, Chairperson, National Commission for Scheduled Castes

·         Dr Rameshwar Oraon, Chairperson, National Commission for Scheduled Tribes

·         Lalitha Kumaramangalam, Chairperson, National Commission for Womenand aruneshwaran.v

Appointment

Sections 3 and 4 of TPHRA lay down the rules for appointment to the NHRC. The Chairperson and members of the NHRC are appointed by the President of India, on the recommendation of a committee consisting of:

·         The Prime Minister (chairperson)

·         The Home Minister

·         The Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha (House of the People)

·         The Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha (Council of States)

·         The Speaker of the Lok Sabha (House of the People)

·         The Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha (Council of States)

Acting Chairpersons

·  Justice Cyriac Joseph from May 11,2015

·   Dr. Justice Shivaraj Patil, from November 1, 2006 to April 1, 2007

·   Justice G P Mathur, from June 1, 2009 to June 6, 2010

International status

The NHRC has been accredited with "A status" by the International Coordinating Committee of National Human Rights Institutions (the ICC), indicating that it is in conformity with the Paris Principles – a broad set of principles agreed upon by a conference of experts on the promotion and protection of human rights, in Paris in October 1991, and subsequently endorsed by the UN General Assembly. The Commission is thus entitled to participate in the ICC and in its regional sub-group, the Asia Pacific Forum, and may take part in certain sessions of the UN human rights committees.