Context:
NHRC-India has recently been deferred its Accreditation by the Sub Committee on Accreditation (SCA) of the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI).
About GANHRI:
- Established as the International Coordinating Committee of institutions for the promotion and protection of human rights in 1993.
- Renamed as GANHRI in 2016.
- Members: 120 members (88- A status and 32- B status NHRI’s) – India is a member
- It is a group of 16 human rights agencies (4 from each region) – the Americas, Europe, Africa, and the Asia-Pacific, that have the Highest Rating (‘A’) for following the Paris Principles.
- Functions –
- It accredits National Human Rights Institutions (NHRI) with a ‘A status’ (full compliance) or ‘B status’ (partial compliance) based on their adherence in meeting the requirements of the Paris Principles.
- They also support NHRI’s in capacity building and on various thematic areas to improve human rights.
- Secretariat – Geneva, Switzerland.
About Paris Principles:
- Developed at a United Nations meeting held in Paris in 1991.
- Sets out the minimum standards required by national human rights institutions to be considered credible and to operate effectively.
- 6 main criteria –
- A clearly defined and broad-based mandate based on universal human rights standards
- Autonomy from government
- Independence guaranteed by legislation or the constitution
- Pluralism
- Adequate resources
- Adequate powers of investigation
Source: The Hindu
Previous Year Questions
Q1. Other than the Fundamental Rights, which of the following parts of the Constitution of India reflect/reflects the principles and provisions of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948)?
1. Preamble
2. Directive Principles of State Policy
3. Fundamental Duties
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
[UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2020 Prelims]
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (d)
Q2. 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 Services Exam – 2011 Prelims]
(a) 1 only
(b) 1 and 2 only
(c) 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (d)
