The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) of India is an autonomous, statutory body established in October 1993 under the Protection of Human Rights Act. Its mandate is to protect and promote the human rights of all people in India, including the rights of marginalized and vulnerable groups.
The NHRC is composed of a Chairperson, who is a retired Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, and four members, who are all retired judges of the Supreme Court or High Court. The Commission also has a staff of investigators and support staff who assist in the investigation and resolution of human rights violations.
One of the main functions of the NHRC is to receive, inquire into, and address complaints of human rights violations. Any person can file a complaint with the NHRC, and the Commission has the power to investigate and take action on these complaints. It can also suo motu (on its own accord) investigate human rights violations, and has the power to intervene in court cases related to human rights issues.
In addition to its investigative and adjudicative functions, the NHRC also works to promote and protect human rights through various means, such as conducting awareness campaigns, engaging with government and civil society organizations, and issuing recommendations and guidelines to improve the human rights situation in the country.
The NHRC has made significant contributions to the promotion and protection of human rights in India. Some of its notable achievements include the investigation and resolution of numerous cases of human rights violations, the development of guidelines and recommendations to improve the human rights situation in the country, and the conduct of awareness campaigns on human rights issues.
However, the NHRC has also faced criticism for its lack of powers to enforce its decisions and recommendations, as well as its slow response to human rights violations. To address these challenges, there have been calls for the NHRC to be given more powers and resources, as well as for greater cooperation between the NHRC and other human rights bodies in the country.
Overall, the National Human Rights Commission plays a crucial role in the promotion and protection of human rights in India and is an important institution for ensuring that the human rights of all people in the country are respected and protected.
