Free Courses Sale ends Soon, Get It Now


NATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION

29th June, 2022

Copyright infringement not intended

In News

  • The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has released guidelines to the Union, States and Union Territories to protect and promote the rights of truck drivers.
  • NHRC stated that despite significant contributions to the nation’s economic development, truck drivers do not get adequate attention.
  • The Guidelines aim to;
    • Protect from exploitation.
    • Ensure basic amenities.
    • Provide Socio-economic security.
    • Promote physical and mental well-being.
  • Important Recommendations by NHRC;
    • Amendment the Motor Vehicle Act, 1988, to provide mandatory accident cover of at least Rs 15 lakh each for the driver, co-driver and helper.
    • Cashless medical treatment to drivers, co-drivers, and helpers injured or incapacitated in road accidents.
    • Restrooms with parking areas, toilets, restaurants at reasonable rates, mechanic shops and doctors’ clinics every 40 km on National Highways and State highways.

National Human Rights Commission

  • The National Human Rights Commission is a statutory body established in 1993 under the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993.
    • It was amended in 2006.
  • The commission works as the watchdog of human rights in the country.

 

Composition of the Commission

  • The commission is a multi-member body consisting of a chairman and four members.
  • The chairman should be retired chief justice of India, and members should be serving or retired judges of the Supreme Court, a serving or retired chief justice of a high court and two persons having knowledge or practical experience concerning human rights.
  • In addition to these full-time members, the commission also has 4 ex-officio members;
    • The chairman of the National Commission for Minorities.
    • The National Commission for SCs.
    • The National Commission for STs.
    • The National Commission for Women.
  • The chairman and members are appointed by the president on the recommendations of a 6-member committee consisting of;
    • The Prime Minister is the head.
    • The Speaker of the Lok Sabha.
    • The Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha.
    • Leaders of the Opposition in both the Houses of Parliament.
    • The Central home minister.
  • The chairman and members hold office for a term of five years or until they attain the age of 70 years, whichever is earlier.
  • The salaries, allowances and other conditions of service of the chairman or a member are determined by the Central government. But, they cannot be varied to his disadvantage after his appointment.
    • After the tenure, the chairman and members are not eligible for further employment under the Central or state government.
  • The President can also remove the chairman or any member on the ground of proven misbehavior or incapacity.
    • However, in these cases, the president has to refer the matter to the Supreme Court for an inquiry.
    • If the Supreme Court, after the inquiry, upholds the cause of removal and advises so, then the president can remove the chairman or a member.

 

 Functions of the Commission

  • Inquire into any violation of human rights or negligence in the prevention of such violation by a public servant, either suo motu or on a petition presented to it or on an order of a court.
  • Intervene in any proceeding involving an allegation of violation of human rights pending before a court.
  • Visit jails and detention places to study the living conditions of inmates and make recommendations.
  • Review the constitutional and other legal safeguards for the protection of human rights and recommend measures for their effective implementation.
  • Review the factors including acts of terrorism that inhibit the enjoyment of human rights and recommend remedial measures.
  • Study treaties and other international instruments on human rights and make recommendations for their effective implementation.
  • Undertake and promote research in the field of human rights.
  • Spread human rights literacy among the people and promote awareness of the safeguards available for the protection of these rights.
  • Encourage the efforts of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) working in the field of human rights.
  • Undertake such other functions as it may consider necessary for the promotion of human rights.
  • The Central government should inform the Commission of the action taken on the recommendations within three months.
  • The commission submits its annual or special reports to the Central government and the state government concerned.
  • These reports are laid before the respective legislatures, along with a memorandum of action taken on the recommendations of the commission and the reasons for non-acceptance of any of such recommendations.

 

 

Limitations of the Commission

  • The functions of the commission are mainly recommendatory.
  • No power to punish the violators of human rights, or to award any relief including monetary relief to the victim.
  • Recommendations are not binding on the concerned government or authority.
  • The commission has a limited role, powers and jurisdiction concerning the violation of human rights by the members of the armed forces.

 

https://epaper.thehindu.com/Home/ShareArticle?OrgId=GJL9VOJJ6.1&imageview=0

https://t.me/+hJqMV1O0se03Njk9