The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) of India is an autonomous body established in 1993 to protect human rights and provide remedies for human rights violations. It consists of a chief justice and other judicial and government appointees and has the powers of a civil court to investigate human rights complaints. The NHRC works on issues related to civil and political rights as well as economic, social rights and focuses on areas like custodial deaths, torture, and rights of vulnerable groups. It can initiate investigations, intervene in court cases, review laws and policies, and conduct research to promote human rights in India.

1. National Human Rights
Commission

2. NHRC introduction
•NHRC is an autonomous institutions, came into
being in oct 1993
•Current chairperson : Justice H. L. Dattu,
•The Chairperson and Members of the
Commission are appointed by the President on
the basis of recommendations of a Committee
comprising the Prime Minister as the
Chairperson, the Speaker of Lok Sabha, the Home
Minister, the leaders of the opposition in the Lok
Sabha and Rajya Sabha and the Deputy Chairman
of the Rajya Sabha as Members.

3. Major areas of work
•entire range of civil and political, as well as economic,
social and cultural rights.
•Areas facing terrorism and insurgency, custodial death,
rape and torture, reform of the police, prisons, and other
institutions such as juvenile homes, mental hospitals and
shelters for women have been given special attention.
•provision of primary health facilities to ensure maternal
and child welfare essential to a life with dignity,

4. Major areas of work contd.....
•ensuring basic needs such as potable drinking
water, food and nutrition,
•fundamental issues of equity and justice to the
less privileged, namely the Scheduled Castes
and Scheduled Tribes and the prevention of
atrocities perpetrated against them.
•Rights of the disabled, access to public
services, displacement of populations
• rights of the child, rights of women subjected
to violence, sexual harassment and
discrimination, and rights of minorities,

5. Composition of the commission
NHRC consists of
•Chairperson- Chief Justice of India
•Four other members- one is /has been a judge of
supreme court
•Chief justice of high court
•Two other persons with practical experience with
HR matters, appointed by central government
•Chairperson of National Commission of minorities
•Chairperson of National Commission of SC/STs
•Chairperson of National Commission of women

6. Functions
1. To initiate inquiry either on its own or on complaint
of person in matters of human rights violation and
negligence on behalf of public servant for
prevention of human rights violation
2. Intervene in any proceedings related with human
rights violation pending before a court
3. With permission from state government visit an
institution meant for detention, treatment,
reformation and rehabilitation of inmates in order
to study the living conditions and make appropriate
recommendations
4. Review existing laws and constitutional safeguards
for protection of Human Rights and make
recommendations for effective implementation

7. Functions contd.....
5. Study treaties and international instruments
on HR and make recommendations for
effective implementation
6. Undertake and promote research in the field
of HR
7. Spread HR literacy among public and
available safeguards for the protection of
HR
8. Encourage the work of NGOs working in the
field of HR

8. Powers of the commission
While inquiring into complaints under the Act, the Commission
have all the powers of a civil court like :
a) Summoning and enforcing the attendance of witnesses and
examining them on oath;
b) discovery and production of any document;
c) receiving evidence on affidavits;
d) requisitioning any public record or copy thereof from any court
or office;
e) issuing commissions for the examination of witnesses or
documents;