Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions

Context:

Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions will review India’s human rights accreditation status

Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI):

• Launched in – 1993 at Tunisia as the International Coordinating Committee of National Human Rights Institutions (got changed to GANHRI in 2016.)
• Headquarters – Geneva, Switzerland.
• Objective – To promote global networks resulting in increased fulfilment of human rights for all people.
• Members – 115 National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs)
• Significance –
  • It is the only non-UN body whose internal accreditation system is based on compliance with the 1993 Paris Principles that grants access to UN committees.
  • Tripartite partnership between GANHRI-UNDP-OHCHR (Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights) aims to strengthen NHRIs in their capacity
• Rating and Status –
  • A status – Granted to NHRIs that are in full compliance with the Paris Principles
    • They are entitled to vote or hold office in the GANHRI or its regional groups
  • B status – Given to NHRIs that partially comply with the Paris Principles.
    • Institutions with B status can participate in GANHRI meetings but are unable to vote or hold governance positions
• Status of India– National Human Rights Commission of India has been granted “A” status by GANHRI.
  • The status was deferred in 2016 and restored after a year
  • NHRC’s ratings were put on hold in 2023 over concerns on its composition procedure, the presence of police personnel in human rights investigations, and the lack of gender and minority representation.
  • The accreditation status would affect its ability to vote at the UN Human Rights Council and some UNGA bodies.

Related Article – National Human Rights Commission (NHRC)

Source: The Hindu

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Previous Year Question

Consider the following:
1. Right to education
2. Right to equal access to public service
3. Right to food
Which of the above is/are Human Right/ Human Rights under “Universal Declaration of Human Rights”?

[UPSC Civil Service Exam – 2011 Prelims]

(a) 1 only
(b) 1 and 2 only
(c) 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

Answer: (d)

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