Rajnath Singh to open NHRC-SHRCs conference

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh will inaugurate a conference of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and the State Human Rights Commissions (SHRCs) tomorrow.

Justice Cyriac Joseph, Acting Chairperson, NHRC will deliver the presidential address.

The aim of the meeting is to discuss the ways and means to make the NHRC and the SHRCs stronger and effective for the promotion and protection of human rights.

The commission has proposed to the Government of India for an amendment in the Protection of Human Rights (PHR) Act, 1993 for constitution of Human Rights Commissions in the Union Territories.

The conference will also deliberate upon the possibility of suggesting amendments to the PHR Act to give more powers to the NHRC and the SHRCs. Further, the scope of Section 12 (a) and (j) of PHR Act in dealing with the violation of Human Rights by entities other than public servants will also be discussed.

The NHRC has been holding meetings with the SHRCs and the Commission has sent the recommendations of its Committee, headed by earlier Chairperson, Justice K.G. Balakrishnan, to the Ministry of Home Affairs seeking amendments in the Section 30 of the PHR Act, 1993, in order to specify the "Jurisdiction and mandate of Human Rights Courts" by identifying the offences which could be tried by them under a procedure for the same.