NATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION

NATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION

WHAT ARE HUMAN RIGHTS?

• Rights which are inherent to humans irrespective of any race, religion, gender etc.
• It Includes:
  • Right to life and liberty
  • Freedom from slavery
  • Freedom of expression
  • Right to work

WHAT IS NATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION (NHRC)?

• NHRC is a statutory body established in 1993.
• It is the watchdog of Human Rights in the country.

COMPOSITION OF NHRC

• Chairperson + 5 Members
• Chairperson: Retired CJI or judge of Supreme Court.

​​​​​​​

HOW ARE THE CHAIRPERSON AND MEMBERS APPOINTED?

• Appointed by President on the selection committee recommendations.
• The committee includes
  1. PM
  2. Home minister
  3. Speaker of Lok Sabha
  4. Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha
  5. Leader of Opposition of both the Houses

​​​​​​​

WHAT IS THE TENURE OF THE MEMBERS?

• They hold the office for 3 years or until the attainment of 70 years of age.
• Salary, allowances during tenure determined by Central government.

​​​​​​​

HOW CAN THEY BE REMOVED?

• They can be removed only on the charges of proved misbehavior or incapacity through a Supreme Court inquiry.

​​​​​​​

WHAT ARE THE FUNCTIONS OF NHRC?

• Inquire into any violation of Human Rights.
• Makes recommendations to the Government.
• Reviews the safeguards provided by the Constitution.
• Spreads awareness.
• Promote research in the field of human rights.

​​​​​​​

LIMITATIONS OF NHRC

• Non-binding recommendations
• No power to punish
• Insufficient funds
• Overload of cases

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

WHAT IS STATE HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION (SHRC)?

• These are also constituted in 1993 for the protection of human rights in the states
• Composition : Chairperson (chief justice or judge of High Court) + 2 members
• Appointment : By Governor
• Removal : By President