what are the powers given to Human Rights Commission to carry out its enquiry
Answers
Read about the National Human Rights Commission and answer the given question.
Do you notice references to the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) in the news collage on this page? These references reflect the growing awareness of human rights and struggles for human dignity.
Many cases of human rights violations in diverse fields,'for instance, Gujarat riot*, are being brought to the public notice from across India. Human rights organisations and the media often criticise government agencies for not seriously punning these cases or catching the culprits. Someone had to intervene on behalf of the victims.
This is where the National Human Rights Commission stepped in. This is an independent commission set up by law in 1993. like judiciary, the Commission is independent of the government. The Commission is appointed by the President and includes retired judges, officers and eminent citizens. Yet it does not have the burden of deciding court cases. So, it can focus on helping the victims secure their human rights. These include all the rights granted to the citizens by the Constitution. For NHRC, human rights also include the rights mentioned in the UN sponsored international treaties that India has signed. The NHRC can not by itself punish the guilty. That is the responsibility of courts. The NHRC is there to make independent and credible inquiry into any case of violation of human rights.
It also inquiries into any case of abetment of such violation or negligence in controlling it by any government officer and takes other general steps to promote human rights in the country. The Commission presents its findings and recommendations to the government or intervene in the court on behalf of the victims. It has wide ranging powers to carry out its inquiry.
Like any court, it can summon witnesses, question any government official, demand any official paper, visit any prison for inspection or send its own team for on the spot inquiry.
Citizen of India can write a letter to this address to complain against the violation of Human Rights: National Human
Rights Commission, Faridkot House, Copernicus Marg, New Delhi 110001.
There is no fee or any formal procedure to approach the NHRC. Like NHRC, there
are State Human Rights Commissions in 24 states of the country.
Are the rights only tor adults? Which of these rights are available to children?