UPSC Articles
New Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) appointed
Part of: GS Prelims and GS -II – Statutory bodies; Indian Polity
In news
- Justice Arun Kumar Mishra was appointed as the Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC).
Why does the news matter?
- National Human Rights Commission is one of the Statutory Bodies of India.
- Other Statutory Bodies:
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- National Commission for Women
- National Commission for Minorities
- National Commission for Backward Classes
- National Law Commission
- National Green Tribunal
- National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission
- Armed Forces Tribunal
Important value additions
National Human Rights Commission (NHRC)
- NHRC was established in 1993.
- It is in conformity with the Paris Principles, adopted at the first international workshop on national institutions for the protection of human rights held in Paris in 1991.
- Status: It is a statutory organization established under the Protection of Human Rights Act (PHRA), 1993
- Headquarters: New Delhi.
- Functions:
- To investigate the violation of human rights/ the failures of the states/other to prevent a human rights violation
- The commissions may also take on research about human rights, create awareness campaigns through various mediums, and encourage the work of NGOs.
- Composition:
- Chairperson, four full-time Members and four deemed Members.
- A Chairperson, should be retired Chief Justice of India or a Judge of the Supreme Court.
- Appointment: The Chairperson and members of the NHRC are appointed by the President of India, on the recommendation of a committee consisting of:
- The Prime Minister (Chairperson)
- The Home Minister
- The Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha
- The Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha
- The Speaker of the Lok Sabha
- The Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha
- 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.
