Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993
Human Rights means the rights relating to life, liberty, equality and dignity of the individual guaranteed by the Constitution or embodied in the International Covenants and enforceable by Courts in India.
Constitution of a National Human Rights Commission
The Central Government shall constitute a body to be known as the National Human Rights Commission under the Human Rights Act of 1993 to exercise the powers conferred upon and to perform the functions assigned to it under this Act.
The Commission shall consists of
- A Chairperson who shall been a Chief justice of the Supreme Court
- One member who is, or has been, a judge of the Supreme Court
- One member who is, or has been the Chief Justice of a High Court
- Two members to be appointed from amongst persons having knowledge of, or practical experience in, matters relating to Human Rights
- The Chairpersons of the National Commission for Minorities, the National Commission for the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribes and the National Commission
- There shall be a secretary general who shall be the Chief Executive Officer of the Commission and shall exercise all powers
- The head quarter of the Commission should be in Delhi
- Inquire violence of the Human Rights
- Visit jail or any or any other institution under the control of the state government, where persons are detained or lodged for purpose of treatment or protection to study
- Review the safeguards provided by the Constitution
- Review the factors, including facts of terrorism, that inhibits the enjoyment of human rights
- Study treaties and other International instruments on human rights
- Undertake and promote research in the field of human rights
- Spread human right literacy among various sections of society and promote awareness of the safeguards available for the protection of these rights through publications, media, seminars
- Encourage the efforts of non governmental organizations and institutions in the field of human rights
For the purpose of providing speedy trial of offences arising out of violation of human rights, the state government with the concurrence of the Chief Justice of the High Court specify to the each district a court of session called as Human Rights Court.