National Human Rights Commission

“Human Rights” is not an abstract or ideal concept but it is very much a pragmatic concept about those Rights, which are considered essential for the survival, dignified life and development of all human beings. In 1993, the Parliament of India passed the Protection of Human Rights Act. The main purpose of the Act was to create the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC)—a proclaimed independent governmental body statutorily charged with ensuring that every individual's Constitutional Rights are protected by the Indian state. At the time of its announcement, NHRC met with lot of skepticisms. To some it was going to be a ‘toothless tiger’, while others found it to be a mere ‘post-office’ to provide a certificate of good behavior to the government for its wrong doings rather than to ensure better protection of Human Rights. Thanks to the Committee who prepared the draft of the Commission and made every attempt to keep it (NHRC) independent of political interference. Although NHRC is still searching its ground, yet it owns an extensive account of achievements during a short span of twenty years.

Aarti Singh,B.A.LLB,LLM,pursuing PhD: Studied Law, Human Rights, War Crimes & The International Criminal Court at Banaras Hindu University. Research Scholar at Banaras Hindu University, Uttar Pradesh , India.