NATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – Polity)

Context: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) is preparing to defend the government’s human rights processes at a meeting in Geneva. The meeting of Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI) will held as part of the 5 yrs peer review for each member of the grouping.

National Human Rights Commission (NHRC)

• About: It is an independent statutory body.
• Establishment: On 12 October, 1993. The statute under which it is established is the Protection of Human Rights Act (PHRA), 1993 as amended by the Protection of Human Rights (Amendment) Act, 2006.
• Mission: The Commission is responsible for spreading of human rights awareness amongst the masses and encouraging the efforts of all stake holders in the field of human rights literacy not only at the national level but at international level too.
• Appointment: By the President on the recommendations of a six-member committee.

oConsisting of the Prime Minister as its head, the Speaker of the Lok Sabha, the Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, leaders of the Opposition in both the Houses of Parliament and the Union Home Minister.

• Composition: Chairperson, five full-time Members and seven deemed Members.
• Tenure: A term of three years or until they attain the age of 70 years, whichever is earlier.
• Removal: They can only be removed upon proven charges of misconduct or incapacity, substantiated through an inquiry overseen by a Supreme Court Judge.

Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI)

• About: At the 1993 International Conference in Tunis, National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) formed the International Coordinating Committee of NHRIs (ICC) to synchronize NHRI network activities.
• Renamed: In 2016, the ICC underwent a name change, becoming the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI).
• Role of GANHRI Bureau: The GANHRI Bureau plays a pivotal role in overseeing the operations and initiatives of the alliance.
• Annual Meetings and Cooperation: GANHRI conducts general annual meetings, Bureau meetings, Sub-Committee on Accreditation meetings, and international conferences in collaboration with the UN Human Rights, which serves as the GANHRI secretariat.