NATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION, INDIA
August, 2019 vide Ministry of Home Affairs Gazette Notification dated 1st August 2019. The
provisions of the Protection of Human Rights (Amendment) Act, 2019, pertaining to the NHRC
are as under:
3.5.1 A retired Judge of the Supreme Court has been made eligible for appointment as Chairperson
of the National Human Rights Commission, in addition to the person who has been the Chief
Justice of India.
3.5.2 The Members (having knowledge of, or practical experience in matters relating to human rights)
of the NHRC has been increased from two to three, out of which at least one shall be a woman.
3.5.3 The Chairperson of the National Commission for Backward Classes, Chairperson of the National
Commission for Protection of Child Rights and the Chief Commissioner for Persons with
Disabilities have been made as deemed Members of the Commission, in addition to the present
deemed Members of the Commission.
3.5.4 The Secretary General, NHRC has been delegated full administrative and financial powers of
NHRC, subject to the control of the Chairperson, NHRC.
3.5.5 The term of office of the Chairperson and Members of NHRC has been reduced from five to
three years. They shall be eligible for re-appointment for another term or until they attain the
age of seventy years, whichever is earlier.
3.5.6 The functions relating to human rights in case of Union territory of Delhi shall be dealt with by
the NHRC.
A.
Constitution of the Commission
3.6
Section 3 of the PHRA, (amended in 2019) provides for the constitution of a Commission
consisting of:
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i.
A Chairperson who has been a Chief Justice of India or a Judge of the Supreme Court;
ii.
One Member who is, or has been, a Judge of the Supreme Court;
iii.
One Member who is, or has been, the Chief Justice of a High Court;
iv.
Three Members, out of which at least one shall be a woman, to be appointed from amongst
persons having knowledge of, or practical experience in, matters relating to human rights.
With this amendment the number of Deemed Members of the Commission has increased from
five to seven. As per PHRA, (amended) 2019 the seven Deemed Members of the Commission are
as under:
i.
Chairperson of the National Commission for Scheduled Castes
ii.
Chairperson of the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes
iii.
Chairperson of the National Commission for Minorities
iv.
Chairperson of the National Commission for Women
ANNUAL REPORT 2019-20