Human Rights

Cabinet Gives Nod to the Protection of Human Rights (Amendments) Bill, 2018

04.04.2018

The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister has given its approval to the Protection of Human Rights (Amendments) Bill, 2018 for better protection and promotion of human rights in the country. The Amendment will strengthen the Human Rights Institutions of India further for effective discharge of their mandates, roles and responsibilities. Moreover, the amended Act will be in perfect sync with the agreed global standards and benchmarks towards ensuring the rights relating to life, liberty, equality and dignity of the individual in the country.

Amendment aims to include "National Commission for Protection of Child Rights" as deemed Member of the Commission. A woman Member would be added in the composition of the Commission. Further, it proposes to enlarge the scope of eligibility and scope of selection of Chairperson, National Human Rights Commission as well as the State Human Rights Commission. A mechanism would be added to look after the cases of human rights violation in the Union Territories. The term of office of Chairperson and Members of National Human Rights Commission and State Human Rights Commission will be amended to make it in consonance with the terms of Chairperson and Members of other Commissions.

Protection of Human Rights Act was enacted by the Parliament in the year 1993 under which the National Human Rights Commission was established and it was also provided that, States shall have their own independent State Human Rights Commission. The establishment of Human Rights Commission reflects the commitment of the government towards transparent governance and speedier mechanism for getting redressal of violations of citizens rights. Human rights are inalienable rights not only recognized by various international Covenants and treaties but are also enshrined in the Constitution of India. Ultimate goal of any democratic government is to secure these rights being the mandate of the Constitution. The amendment to the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993 will make National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) more compliant with the Paris Principle concerning its autonomy, independence, pluralism and wide-ranging functions in order to effectively protect and promote human rights.

Tags : Human rights bill Amendment

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