UPSCpedia: Polipedia - National Human Rights Commission

National Human Rights Commission of India

• The National Human Rights Commission is an autonomous statutory body established on 12 October 1993.
  
• NHRC to perform the following functions:
  • proactively or reactively inquire into violations of human rights or negligence in the prevention of such violation by a public servant
  • 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 factors, including acts of terrorism that inhibit the enjoyment of human rights and recommend appropriate remedial measures
  • 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
  • spread literacy 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
  • take suo motu action, if required in a case if the victim is not in a position to access a court.
• 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 Speaker of the House of the People
  • The Minister-in-charge of the Ministry of Home Affairs in the Government of India
  • The Leader of the Opposition in the House of the People
  • The Leader of the Opposition in the Council of States
  • The Deputy Chairman of the Council of States
• The NHRC consists of a Chairperson who has been a Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of India. In addition to this, the Chairpersons of the National Commission for Minorities, the National Commission for the Scheduled Castes, National Commission for the Scheduled Tribes, and the National Commission for Women, serve as ex officio members
• The current chairperson of the NHRC is Hon'ble Justice Shri K G Balakrishnan.