National Human Rights Commission

WHY IN NEWS?

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) issued a notice to the Rajasthan government in connection with the deaths of over 100 children at the government-run J.K. Lon hospital in Kota in December.

ABOUT NHRC

• The National Human Rights Commission, India has been set up by an Act of Parliament under the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993 (as amended by the Protection of Human Rights (Amendment) Act, 2006) for the protection and promotion of human rights.
• It is in conformity with the Paris Principles, adopted at the first international workshop on national institutions for the promotion and protection of human rights held in Paris in October 1991, and endorsed by the General Assembly of the United Nations by its Regulations 48/134 of 20 December, 1993.
• The functions of the Commission as stated in Section 12 of the Act and apart from enquiry into complaints of violation of human rights or negligence in the prevention of such violation by a public servant, the Commission also studies treaties and international instruments on human rights and make recommendations for their effective implementation to the Government.
• The Commission is responsible for spreading of human rights awareness amongst the masses and encouraging the efforts of all stake holders in the field of human rights literacy not only at the national level but at international level too.
• Section 2(1)(d) of the PHRA defines Human Rights as the rights relating to life, liberty, equality and dignity of the individual guaranteed by the Constitution or embodied in the International Covenants and enforceable by courts in India.
• The NHRC, India plays an active role in coordinating with other NHRIs of the world to enhance awareness from the perspective of human rights.
• It has also hosted delegations from UN Bodies and other National Human Rights Commissions as well as members of civil society, lawyers and political and social activists from many countries.
• Composition
  • The Commission consists of a Chairperson, four full-time Members and four deemed Members.
  • The Chairperson is the former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the country.
  • The statute lays down qualifications for the appointment of the Chairperson and Members of the Commission.

Prelims Question

Q. 

Which of the following statements regarding NHRC is/are correct?
1. It is a constitutional body
2. It is constituted in conformity with the with the Paris Principles
3. It studies treaties and international instruments on human rights
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
a. 1 and 2 only
b. 2 and 3 only
c. 1 and 3 only
d. 1,2 and 3

Answer to the Prelims Question