National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) takes suo motu cognisance of migrants’ plight 

National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) takes suo motu cognisance of migrants’ plight 

Part of: GS-Prelims and GS-II – Statutory Bodies

In News:

• Recently, The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) issued notices to the Union Home Ministry, the Railway Board and the Bihar and Gujarat governments. 
• The notices were in connection with the reported deaths of some migrant workers on Shramik Special trains and the lack of food and water for the passengers on these trains.
• NHRC took suo motu (on its own) cognisance of media reports about the trains starting late and taking many days to reach destinations.

Important value additions 

National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) 

• It is a statutory body.
• NHRC was established on 12th October, 1993 under the Protection of Human Rights Act (PHRA), 1993. 
• The Act also provides for the creation of the State Human Rights Commission as well.
• The NHRC is an embodiment of India’s concern for the promotion and protection of human rights. 
• The commission is a multi-member body consisting of a chairman and five members. 
• The chairperson is a retired chief justice of India or a judge of the Supreme Court.
• They are appointed by the President on the recommendations of a six-member committee consisting of: 
  • Prime Minister (head) 
  • Speaker of the Lok Sabha
  • Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha
  • Leaders of the Opposition in both the Houses of Parliament  
  • Union Home Minister.
• They hold office for a term of three years or until they attain the age of 70 years, whichever is earlier.
• The President can remove them from the office under specific circumstances.