The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) of India is an autonomous commission constituted by the Government of India to protect human rights in India under the Protection of Human Rights Act of 1993.

Chapter II of the Act says "The Central Government shall constitute a body to be known as the National Human Rights Commission to exercise the powers conferred upon, and to perform the functions assigned to it, under this Act."

Table of contents
1 Functions
2 Powers
3 Website

Functions

As per the act, the following functions shall be performed by the NHRC:

  • inquire, suo moto or on a petition presented to it by a victim or any person on his behalf, into complaint of

  • intervene in any proceeding involving any allegation of violation of human rights pending before a court with the approval of such court

  • visit, under intimation to the State Government, any jail or any other institution under the control of the State Government, where persons are detained or lodged for purposes of treatment, reformation or protection to study the living conditions of the inmates and make recommendations thereon

  • review the safeguards provided by or under the Constitution of India or any law for the time being in force 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 appropriate 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 various sections of society and promote awareness of the safeguards available for the protection of these rights through publications, the media, seminars and other available means

    • encourage the efforts of non-governmental organisations and institutions working in the field of human rights

  • such other functions as it may consider necessary for the protection of human rights in India

Powers

The Commission shall have power to require any person, subject to any privilege which may be claimed by that person under any law for the time being in force, to furnish information on such points or matters as, in the opinion of the Commission, may be useful for, or relevant to, the subject matter of the inquiry and any person so required shall be deemed to be legally bound to furnish such information within the meaning of section 176 and section 177 of the Indian Penal Code.

Website

http://nhrc.nic.in/ - Contains all cases of human rights violations and action taken in India since 1993.