About the article:

=> The two-day sitting of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) disposed of 40 cases from the five Northeastern States of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Nagaland and Sikkim, and awarded compensation worth Rs 20.5 lakh.

=> Assam alone accounted for more than half of the cases of human rights.

=> A majority of the cases were related to custodial death, fake encounters and torture, something that calls for serious introspection by the Government in reforming and sensitizing the police on human rights.

National Human Rights Commission:

=> NHRC of India is an independent statutory body established in 1993 as per provisions of Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993.

=> It is the watchdog of human rights in the country.

What are Human Rights?

=> As per UN definition these rights are inherent to all human beings, regardless of race, sex, nationality, ethnicity, language, religion, or any other status.

=> Human rights include the right to life and liberty, freedom from slavery and torture, freedom of opinion and expression, the right to work and education, and many more.

=> These are entitled to everyone, without any discrimination.

How the concept of Human Rights originated?

=> Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in Paris on 10 December 1948.

=> Human Rights Day is observed every year on 10 December.

=> In pursuant to these principles, India has enacted the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993 and established NHRC.

Structure of the National Human Rights Commission:

=> NHRC consists of a Chairman and seven other members.

=> Out of the seven members, four are ex-officio member.

=> Chairperson of The National Commission for SCs,The National Commission for Minorities ,The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights,The National Commission for Women are ex officio member of NHRC.

=> The chairperson should be a retired chief justice of India or a judge of the Supreme Court.

=> Members should be a serving or retired judge of the Supreme Court, a serving or retired chief justice of a high court .