WELCOMES THE DELEGATION headed by Justice Shri D K Basu Chairman, National Committee for Legal Services-India

1. NATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSiON INDIA • WELCOMES • THE DELEGATION • headed by • Justice Shri D K Basu • Chairman, National Committee for Legal Services-India

2. PRESENTATION ON NHRC, INDIA AND ITS WORKING

3. The Commission: • Established under The Protection of Human Rights Act on the 12th of October, 1993. • Comprises : • - Chairperson : Former Chief Justice of India • - Members : • One former / sitting Judge of Supreme Court • One former / sitting Chief Justice of High Court • Two Persons having knowledge & practical experience in Human Rights • Four Deemed Members who are Chairperson of other Commissions – Women, Minorities, SC and ST

4. Appointment of Chairperson and Members The Chairperson and the Members are appointed by the President of India on the recommendations of a Committee consisting of:

5. ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE Chairpersonand Members Chief Executive Officer Secretary General Law Division Inv. Division TrainingDivision Admn. Division ResearchDivision

6. PERSONNEL ASSISTING THE COMMISSION • The Commission presently has a sanctioned strength of 343 regular Staff members. In addition experts and some other persons are engaged on contract on need basis. • Commission’s reach greatly enhanced by appointment of Special Rapporteurs and constitution of Core Groups.

7. Distinct features of NHRC • Fully compliant with Paris Principles • Autonomous: NHRC is an autonomous and statutory organisation as it has been created by an Act of Parliament. • Independent: NHRC is independent in taking decisions and expressing its own views on different human rights issues. • Wide mandate: NHRC has wide mandate and an array of functions catering to all sections of the society.

8. Functions of the Commission (Section 12 of the Act) • Inquire, suo motu, or on a petition, presented by victims, or persons on their behalf, into complaints of: i) violation of human rights or abetment thereof, or ii) negligence or dereliction of duties in the prevention of such violation, by public servants • Intervene in any proceedings involving any allegations of violation of human rights pending before Courts, with the approval of such Courts.

9. Functions of the Commission(contd..) • Visit, any jails or other institutions under the control of State Government, where persons are detained or lodged for purposes of treatment, reformation or protection, to study the living conditions of the inmates, and make recommendations. • Study treaties and other international instruments on human rights, and make recommendations for their effective implementation.

10. Functions of the Commission(contd..) • Undertake and promote research in the field of human rights. • Spread human rights literacy among various sections of society, and promote awareness of the safeguards available for the protection of these rights, through publications, the media, seminars and other available means. • Encourage the efforts of non-governmental organisations, and institutions working in the field of human rights.

11. Powers relating to inquiries • The Commission shall, while inquiring into complaints have all the powers of a civil court in respect of the following matters: • summoning and enforcing the attendance of witnesses and examining them on oath; • discovery and production of any document; • receiving evidence on affidavits; • requisitioning any public record or copy thereof from any court or office;

12. Complaints Redressal & Investigation • Complaints are entertained in any language or received through any mode eg. post, telegram, online registration, fax, e-mail and phone etc. • Suo-motu registration is also done. • Matters are also received on reference from Supreme Court. • No fee • Complaint status could be ascertained- • From website of the Commission(http://www.nhrc.nic.in) • Facilitation Counter since Oct 2001. • Focal Point also in place.

13. Complaints Redressal & Investigation • Number of complaints registered - 498 in 1993-94 - 84605 in 2010-2011reflecting growing credibility. • Total number of complaints registered since inception to 20/10/2011 : 10,90,082

14. Some Major Accomplishments MONITORING – Prison Conditions Custodial Deaths Hospitals for mentally ill patients Status of Bonded and Child labour situation Homes run by the Government Encounter Deaths Care and Protection of Children in Homes Implementation of various programmes / schemes having bearing upon human rights eg. food, education, health etc.

15. Some Major Accomplishments (contd..) AWARENESS AND TRAINING – Human Rights Education in School & University Education System Training Programmes for various Govt. functionaries, elected representatives, etc. in collaboration with SHRCs, Govt. Institutions, Universities, NGOs, etc. Conducting Summer and Winter Internship Programmes (One Month Duration). Attachment of Indian Foreign Services (IFS) probationers with the Commission for sensitizing on Human Rights Issues.

16. Some Major Accomplishments (contd..) REVIEW OF BILLS / ACTS – • Right to Information Bill • Domestic Violence Bill • The Child Marriage Restraint Act • National Rural Employment Guarantee Bill 2004 • Food Safety & Standard Bill 2005 • The Rehabilitation & Resettlement Bill 2007

17. Some Major Accomplishments (contd.) INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION – • Assisted in drafting of important international convention eg. Convention on rights of Persons with Disabilities. • Assisted Govt. in drafting UPR paper. • Actively participates in ICC & APF deliberations and other conferences/seminars on human rights. • Assists in capacity building - setting up of Complaint Management System. - maintained NHRI website.

18. Publications of the Commission • The Annual Reports • Monthly Newsletters • NHRC Journal – Hindi / English • Important Instructions/Guidelines issued by NHRC • Professional Policing: Human Rights Investigation & Interviewing Skills and Human Rights & Custody Management • Handbook on Human Rights for Judicial Officers

19. Publications of the Commission(contd..) • Quality Assurance in Mental Health • Report on Prevention of Atrocities against Scheduled Castes • Know your rights series • Mental Health & Human Rights • Recommendations on Relief & Rehabilitation of Displaced Persons

20. THANKYOU