NHRC (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – Polity)

Context: National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has issued a notice to the Telangana Government over the reported suicide of a female student.

National Human Rights Commission (NHRC)

• About: It is an independent statutory body.
• Establishment: On 12 October, 1993.

oThe 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.