NATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION (NHRC)

NATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION (NHRC)

Subject: National Organizations

Context: Justice Prafulla Chandra Pant, a former Supreme Court judge, has been appointed the Acting Chairperson of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) with effect from April 25, the commission said.

Concept:

• NHRC was established in 1993. It is in conformity with the Paris Principles, adopted at the first international workshop on national institutions for the protection of human rights held in Paris in 1991.
• It is a statutory organization established under the Protection of Human Rights Act (PHRA), 1993.
• It is headquartered in New Delhi.

Functions:

• The purpose of the NHRC is, suo moto or through the petition of a person, to investigate the violation of human rights or the failures of the state or other to prevent a human rights violation.
• The commissions may also take on research about human rights, create awareness campaigns through various mediums, and encourage the work of NGOs.

Composition:

• The Commission consists of a Chairperson, four full-time Members and four deemed Members.
• The statute lays down qualifications for the appointment of the Chairperson and Members of the Commission. A Chairperson, should be retired Chief Justice of India.