NHRC

Subject: National Organisations

Context: ‘Torture’ of 28 prisoners: NHRC asks chief secy to report on action taken.

Concept:

National Human Rights Commission (NHRC):

It is a statutory body established on 12th October, 1993 under the Protection of Human Rights Act (PHRA), 1993.
The Act also provides for the creation of the State Human Rights Commission as well.

Composition:

The chairperson is a retired chief justice of India or a judge of the Supreme Court.
They are appointed by the President on the recommendations of a six-member committee consisting of:

Prime Minister (head)

Speaker of the Lok Sabha

Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha

Leaders of the Opposition in both the Houses of Parliament

Union Home Minister.

Term and removal:

They hold office for a term of three years or until they attain the age of 70 years, whichever is earlier.
The President can remove them from the office under specific circumstances.

National Human Rights Commission