National Human Rights Commission of India

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) of India is an autonomous public body constituted on 12 October 1993 under the Protection of Human Rights Ordinance of 28 September 1993.It was given a statutory basis by the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993 (TPHRA).The NHRC is the national human rights institution, responsible for the protection and promotion of human rights, defined by the Act as "rights relating to life, liberty, equality and dignity of the individual guaranteed by the Constitution or embodied in the International Covenants".

Since late 2011, the organization has been embroiled in a controversy where leading jurists have sought the resignation of its Chairman, ex-Chief Justice K.G. Balakrishnan, pending investigation into charges of assets disproportionate to his income. In response, NHRC has uploaded details of Justice Balakrishnan's assets.

     Functions

TPHRA mandates the NHRC to perform the following functions:                       

·        proactively or reactively inquire into violations of human rights or negligence in the prevention of such violation by a public servant

·        by leave of the court, to intervene in court proceeding relating to human rights

·        visit any jail or other institution under the control of the State Government, where persons are detained or lodged for purposes of treatment, reformation or protection, for the study of the living conditions of the inmates and make recommendations

·        review the safeguards provided by or under the Constitution or any law for the time being in force for the protection of human rights and recommend measures for their effective implementation

·        review the factors, including acts of terrorism that inhibit the enjoyment of human rights and recommend appropriate remedial measures

·        study treaties and other international instruments on human rights and make recommendations for their effective implementation

·        undertake and promote research in the field of human rights

·        engage in human rights education among various sections of society and promote awareness of the safeguards available for the protection of these rights through publications, the media, seminars and other available means

·        encourage the efforts of NGOs and institutions working in the field of human rights

·        such other function as it may consider it necessary for the protection of human rights.

Composition

The NHRC consists of:

·        A Chairperson who has been a Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of India

·        One Member who is, or has been, a Judge of the Supreme Court of India

·        One Member who is, or has been, the Chief Justice of a High Court

·        Two Members to be appointed from among persons having knowledge of, or practical experience in, matters relating to human rights

·        In addition, the Chairpersons of four National Commissions serve as ex officio members.

Current members

The current chairperson of the NHRC is K G Balakrishnan, and the other members are:

·        (one position vacant)

·        Babulal Chandulal (B.C.) Patel

·        Satyabrata Pal

·        (one position vacant)

Appointment

Sections 3 and 4 of TPHRA lay down the rules for appointment to the NHRC. The Chairperson and members of the NHRC are appointed by the President of India, on the recommendation of a committee consisting of:

·        The Prime Minister (chairperson)

·        The Home Minister

·        The Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha (House of the People)

·        The Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha (Council of States)

·        The Speaker of the Lok Sabha (House of the People)

·        The Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha (Council of States)

International status

The NHRC has been accredited with "A status" by the International Coordinating Committee of National Human Rights Institutions (the ICC), indicating that it is in conformity with the Paris Principles – a broad set of principles agreed upon by a conference of experts on the promotion and protection of human rights, in Paris in October 1991, and subsequently endorsed by the UNGeneral Assembly. The Commission is thus entitled to participate in the ICC and in its regional sub-group, the Asia Pacific Forum, and may take part in certain sessions of the UN human rights committees.

For all details of NHRC in PDF format :

Follow given Link

http://nhrc.nic.in/documents/Publications/HRActEng.pdf

Source : 

1.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Human_Rights_Commission_of_India

2. http://nhrc.nic.in/