Published: 3rd May, 2024
Context
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) of India faces a critical juncture as its accreditation status at the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI) is under review in Geneva. The decision, expected to be made at a meeting of the Sub-Committee on Accreditation (SCA), will determine whether NHRC retains it’s "A status" or faces a downgrade to "B status".
About NHRC
- Set up in: 1993
- Headquarters: Delhi
- Type: Autonomous bodies (created by an Act of Parliament)
- The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) of India operates under the Protection of Human Rights Act (PHRA), 1993, which was later amended by the Protection of Human Rights (Amendment) Act, 2006.
- The NHRC follows the Paris Principles, which were established at an international workshop in Paris in October 1991. These principles were endorsed by the United Nations General Assembly in December 1993.
- The NHRC reflects India's commitment to promoting and safeguarding human rights.
- According to Section 2(1)(d) of the PHRA, human rights include the rights related to life, freedom, equality, and dignity of individuals. These rights are protected by the Constitution and international agreements, and they can be enforced by Indian courts.
- Composition: Chairperson, five full-time Members, and seven deemed Members.
- Concerns:
- NHRC's accreditation status was put on hold in 2023 due to concerns regarding its composition procedure, including the presence of police personnel in human rights investigations, and the lack of gender and minority representation.
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