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Candid notes on the NHRC’s status deferral
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Context
The Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI) has extended the deferral of the National Human Rights Commission of India's (NHRC) status for another year, raising concerns about India's adherence to international human rights standards and the NHRC's effectiveness.
Challenges Faced by NHRC:
- Continued Deferral: Despite efforts to lift the deferral, the NHRC's status remains deferred by the GANHRI, indicating persistent doubts about India's compliance with the Paris Principles.
- Allegations of Government Influence: The NHRC's credibility is questioned due to concerns about government influence, highlighted by controversial appointments and ongoing vacancies within the commission.
- Impact of NHRC's Brochure: The NHRC's brochure, 'Human Rights 75', raised eyebrows for its mention of the Manusmriti, a text associated with discrimination, raising questions about the commission's approach to human rights principles.
Concerns Over NHRC’s Approach to Human Rights:
- Reference to Manusmriti: The NHRC’s reference to the Manusmriti in its brochure ‘Human Rights 75’ has raised eyebrows, as the text is seen as a source of discrimination and violence by many historically disadvantaged Indians.
- Need for Clarification: The mention of the Manusmriti calls for clarification from Justice Mishra, as it seems to conflict with the foundational values of the Indian Constitution.
- Adherence to Paris Principles: The GANHRI’s decision is believed to be influenced by doubts about India’s adherence to the Paris Principles, which provide international benchmarks for National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs).
The Need for Introspection and Action:
- Peer-Reviewed Evaluation: The GANHRI’s evaluation process is peer-reviewed, making it difficult for the government to dismiss any criticism of the human rights situation in India.
- Government’s Attitude: Doubts arise about the government’s attitude towards the NHRC due to the nature of appointments to it and the continuing vacancies in the body.
- NHRC’s Responsibility: The NHRC itself has a lot to introspect about, particularly in terms of its approach to human rights and its efforts to lift the deferral of its status.
UPSC Mains Questions:
Discuss the implications of the continuing deferral of the NHRC’s status by the GANHRI. How does it reflect on India’s commitment to human rights?
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