Context:
National Human Rights Commission India holds Statutory Full Commission meeting.
National Human Rights Commission:
- Established in – 1993
- Status – Statutory body under the Protection of Human Rights Act (PHRA), 1993
- Establishment is aligned with – Paris Principle (sets out the international minimum standards for national human rights institutions)
- Composition – A Chairperson, 5 full-time Members and 7 deemed Members.
- Eligibility of Chairperson – A person who has been the Chief Justice of India or the judge of the Supreme Court
- Appointment – By the President
- Based on the recommendations of a 6-member committee consisting of the Prime Minister as its head, the Speaker of the Lok Sabha, the Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, leaders of the Opposition in both the Houses of Parliament and the Union Home Minister.
- Tenure – 3 years or till the age of 70 years (for both the Chairperson and Members)
- Removal – By President
- Can be removed only on the charges of proved misbehavior or incapacity, if proved by an inquiry conducted by a Supreme Court Judge.
- Powers and Functions –
- It has all the powers of a civil court while trying a suit under the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908.
- Inquire into any violation of human rights or negligence in the prevention of such violation by a public servant, either suo motu or on a petition.
- Intervene in proceeding with respect to allegation on violation of human rights pending before a court.
- Human Rights Day – 10 December, which is the anniversary of Universal Declaration of Human Rights that was adopted by the UN General Assembly on 10 December 1948.
Source: NHRC
Previous Year Question
Consider the following organizations/ bodies in India:
1. The National Commission for Backward Classes
2. The National Human Rights Commission
3. The National Law Commission
4. The National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission
How many of the above are constitutional bodies?
[UPSC Civil Service Exam – 2023 Prelims]
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) Only three
(d) All four
Answer: (a)
