Protection of Human Rights (Amendments) Bill 2018

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TOPIC:

• General Studies 2: Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests

In News: The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has given its approval to the Protection of Human Rights (Amendments) Bill, 2018 for better protection and promotion of human rights in the country.

Objectives:

• Strengthen the Human Rights Institutions of India further for effective discharge of their mandates, roles and responsibilities
• Will be in perfect sync with the agreed global standards and benchmarks towards ensuring the rights relating to life, liberty, equality and dignity of the individual in the country.

Salient Features: It proposes to

• Include “National Commission for Protection of Child Rights” as deemed Member of the Commission – a welcome move as the child rights will be focussed on

• Add a woman Member in the composition of the Commission;
• Enlarge the scope of eligibility and scope of selection of Chairperson, National Human Rights Commission as well as the State Human Rights Commission; and
• Incorporate a mechanism to look after the cases of human rights violation in the Union Territories.
• Amend the term of office of Chairperson and Members of National Human Rights Commission and State Human Rights Commission to make it in consonance with the terms of Chairperson and Members of other Commissions.

The Way Forward:

The amendment to the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993 will make National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) more compliant with the Paris Principle concerning its autonomy, independence, pluralism and wide-ranging functions in order to effectively protect and promote human rights.

Although, the fine print and detailing is yet to come about, broadly, the intent and objective is reassuring. The commitment and wide vision of the government is very critical. National Human Rights Commission must live up to its mandate in letter and spirit.

Connecting the Dots:

1. Indian must step up its game when it comes to safeguarding human rights if it wants to become a global leader. Examine the statement in light of the recent events.