Role of National Human Rights Commission in Upholding Human Rights in India

Abstract

There are different ways of protecting human rights. A pluralist and accountable parliament, an executive who is ultimately subject to the authority of elected representatives and an independent, impartial judiciary are necessary, but not sufficient, institutional prerequisites. Besides these basic ‘institutions’ there may be other mechanisms whose establishment and strengthening will enhance the excising mechanisms. Lately National Human Rights Commissions (NHRCs) have become prominent actors in the national, regional and international human rights arena. The UN bodies and other funders in international donor community have directly encouraged and supported both technically and financially the growth of these institutions. The international community lends its support because it considers the process of establishing NHRCs to be an indication that a government is willing to abide by international human rights norms.