Question : NATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION

(a) the details with regard to the provisions existing in the National Human Rights(NHRC) for taking up the cases of human rights violation;

(b) whether the human rights violation cases reported to the NHRC are first taken up with the respective States Human Rights Commission (SHRC) wherein incident of human rights violation has taken place;

(c) if so, the details in this regard;

(d) whether NHRC has any functional difficulty in processing the increasing number of human rights violation cases;

(e) if so, the initiatives taken by the Government;

(f) whether State Human Rights Commission have been established in every State of the country; and

(g) if not, the reasons for not setting up SHRC in every State alongwith measures taken to set up SHRC in each State?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI SRIPRAKASH JAISWAL)

(a): The cases are taken up in the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) for consideration as per NHRC (Procedure) Regulations 1994 framed under the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993 and procedural directions issued by the Commission from time to time.

(b) & (c): No, Sir. However, if it is found at any stage of consideration of the matter that cognizance in respect of the same matter has also been taken by a State Human Rights Commission(SHRC),then a report is obtained from the SHRC concerned. If it is found that the SHRC took prior cognizance of the matter the case is closed taking into account the provisions of Section 36 (1) of the Act.

(d)& (e): The NHRC has proposed several amendments to the Protection of Human Rights Act,1993 with a view to enhancing its functional efficiency. These amendments are being examined keeping in view the objects and reasons of the Act, the role of other Commissions and the overall context of their functioning as well as the socio, political and economic conditions.

(f) & (g): 14 States have set up State Human Rights Commissions so far. The Government has been pursuing with the other concerned State Governments to establish State Human Rights Commission in their respective States.