NHRC directs MHA to protect rights of Arunachal Chakmas

NHRC directs MHA to protect rights of Arunachal Chakmas

Part of: Prelims and GS-II Policies and interventions 

Context: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has directed the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Arunachal Pradesh government to submit an action taken report against the racial profiling and relocation of people belonging to the Chakma and Hajong communities. 

Who are Chakma and Hajong?

• Chakmas are predominantly Buddhists while Hajongs are Hindus.
• They were inhabitants of the Chittagong Hill Tracts of erstwhile East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) who migrated to India due to:
  • Submergence of their land by the Kaptai dam on the Karnaphuli River in the 1960s.
  • religious persecution they faced in East Pakistan as they were non-Muslims.
• The Indian government set up relief camps in Arunachal Pradesh and a majority of them continue to live there even after 50 years.

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.

News Source: TH