NHRC accreditation status faces review test this week after being on hold in 2023

• The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) is preparing to defend the government’s human rights processes at a meeting of the UN-recognised Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI) to retain its “A status”.

Highlights:

• The NHRC’s ratings were put on hold in 2023 over concerns on
  • composition procedure
  • presence of police personnel in human rights investigations
  • lack of gender and minority representation.
• Whether the NHRC is given an A or B rating will affect its ability to vote at the UN Human Rights Council and some UNGA bodies.
• The meeting will be held as part of the five-year peer review for each member of the 114-member alliance.
• India, since being accredited in 1999, retained its A ranking in 2006 and 2011, while its status was deferred in 2016 and restored after a year.

GANHRI:

• Established in 1993 as the International Coordinating Committee of National Institutions for the promotion and protection of human rights
  • It has changed its name to Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI) in 2016
• It gathers NHRIs from all over the world to form a member-based network organization
• It is a respected partner of the international human rights system.
• The aim of GANHRI’s advocacy work is to positively influence the substantive outcomes of international human rights mechanisms and processes by bringing the voices and experiences of NHRIs into global discussions.
• In accordance with the UN Paris Principles and the GANHRI Statute, the following classifications for accreditation:
  • A. Fully compliant with the Paris Principles;
  • B. Partially compliant with the Paris Principles.

Paris Principles:

• These are Principles Relating to the Status of National Human Rights Institutions
  • They set out the minimum standards that NHRIs must meet in order to be considered credible and to operate effectively.
• The key pillars of the Paris Principles are pluralism, independence and effectiveness.

NHRC:

• The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) of India was established in 1993.
• It is in conformity with the Paris Principles.
• The NHRC is an embodiment of India’s concern for the promotion and protection of human rights.
• It is established under Protection of Human Rights Act (PHRA), 1993 as amended by the Protection of Human Rights (Amendment) Act, 2006.
• The Commission consists of a Chairperson, five full-time Members and seven deemed Members.
  • Chairman is a former Chief Justice of India or a Supreme Court judge.
• The statute lays down qualifications for the appointment of the Chairperson and Members of the Commission.

Prelims takeaway

• GANHRI
• NHRC
• Paris Principles