National Human Rights Commission
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".
Composition:
- It consists of a Chairman and 4 members. Chairman should be a retired Chief Justice of India. Members should be either sitting or retired judges of the Supreme Court or a serving or retired Chief Justice of a High Court and 2 persons having practical knowledge in this field.
- Ex officio members are the chairmen of National Commission for Scheduled Caste, National Commission for Scheduled Tribes, National Commission for Minorities and National Commission for Women.
Appointment:
- The chairman and members are appointed on the recommendation of a 6 member committee consisting of Prime Minister, Speaker of the Lok Sabha, Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, leaders of opposition in both the houses of parliament and Union Home Minister.
- Term: Term of the chairman and members is 5 years or 70 years whichever is earlier. After retirement they are not eligible for further reappointment.
- Removal: President has to refer the matter to Supreme Court and if after enquiry Supreme Court holds it right then they can be removed by the President.
Other facts:
- Its recommendations are just advisory and not binding in nature.
- It submits Annual report to the Central government and to the concerned state governments.
