Question

Give a brief description of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC).

Answer 1

(i) National Human Rights Commission was set up by law in 1993. Like judiciary, the commission is appointed by the President and includes retired judges, officers and eminent citizens.
(ii) It does not have the burden of deciding court cases. It focuses on helping the victims secure their human rights. These include all the rights granted to the citizens by the Constitution. For NHRC human rights also include the rights mentioned in the UN sponsored international treaties that India has signed.
(iii) The NHRC cannot by itself punish the guilty. That is the responsibility of courts. The NHRC is there to make independent and credible inquiry into any case of violation of human rights.
(iv) It also inquires into any case of abetment of such violation or negligence in controlling it by any government officer and takes other general steps to promote human rights in the country. The Commission presents its findings and recommendations to the government or intervene in the court on behalf of the victims.