NATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION (NHRC)

National Human Rights Commission is an Autonomous Public Body constituted on 12th October, 1993 under the protection of Human Rights ordinance of 28th September, 1993. NHRC is an embodiment of India’s concern for promotion and protection of Human Rights.

NHRC is a National Human Rights Institute responsible for the protection and promotion of Human Rights relating to life, liberty, equality and dignity of the individual guaranteed by our Constitution or embodied in the International Covenants. The act of Parliament provided this body a Statutory Status.

Functions of NHRC

1) To inquire into violation of Human Rights.

2) Visit any Jail and Study leaving conditions of Prisoners.

3) Encourage Human Rights education.

4) Encourage the efforts of NGOs working in field of Human Rights etc.

Composition of NHRC

The Commission is headed by its Chairman and has several members.

Chairperson - retired CJI or a Judge of Supreme Court

Member - A Judge of Supreme Court

Member - Chief Justice of a High Court

Member national-human-rights-commission - to be appointed among persons having special knowledge of matters related to Human Rights

Member - to be appointed among persons having special knowledge of matters related to Human Rights

Member - ex-officio Chairperson of National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) Mr. Ram Shanker Katheria

Member - ex-officio Chairperson of National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) Mr. Nand Kumar Sai

Member - ex-officio Chairperson of National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC) Mr. Bhagwan Lal Sahni

Member - ex-officio Chairperson of National Commission for Minorities (NCM) Mr. Atif Rasheed (V.C)

Member - ex-officio Chairperson of National Commission for Woman (NCW) Ms. Rekha Sharma

Member - ex-officio Chief Commissioner for person with Disabilities

Special Invitee - Chairperson of National Commission for protection of Child Rights (Ms. Stuti Kacker)

Appointments

The Chairperson and members of NHRC are appointed by President on recommendation of a Committee consisting of Prime Minister, Home Minister, Leader of Opposition Lok Sabha, Leader of opposition Rajya Sabha, Speaker of Lok Sabha and Deputy Chairperson of Rajya Sabha.

Tenure of Chairperson and Members

Five years or upto the age of 70 years whichever is earlier.

1st Chairperson of NHRC Justice Ranganath Mishra.

7th Chairperson of NHRC Justice H. L. Dattu.

Presently (8th) Chairperson of NHRC Justice Arun Kumar Mishra.

Removal

The Chairperson and members of NHRC can be removed by President before competition of their tenure on charge of proved misbehaviour or incapacity or both if it is proved by an inquiry conducted by a Judge of Supreme Court.