Establishment

The National Human Rights Commission of India (NHRC) is an independent body set up under the Protection of Human Rights Act 1993.

It has a broad mandate to promote and protect the human rights guaranteed in the Constitution of India and enshrined in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.

Role and functions

The Act empowers the Commission to:

• Inquire, suo motu or on petition, to inquiry into and investigate complaints of human rights violations
• Intervene in any proceedings involving allegations of violation human rights before the courts
• Visit jails and other places of detention
• Review and make recommendations on legislation from a human rights perspective
• Study and make recommendations on treaties and other international instruments on human rights
• Undertake and promote research in the field of human rights
• Build human rights awareness among all sections of the community
• Encourage the efforts of non-governmental organisations working in the field of human rights
• Undertake other functions as may be considered necessary for the promotion of human rights.

APF membership

The NHRC has been a member of the APF since 1996 (as a founding member).

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FEATURE ARTICLE

APF members unite to strengthen human rights across the region

APF members pledged to strengthen human rights across the region in the Delhi Declaration, adopted during the 28th APF Annual Meeting and Conference.

Read more Read more about APF members unite to strengthen human rights across the region

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