Preface Bharat Lal Secretary General & Chief Execu ve Officer, NHRC I bring to you the Na onal Human Rights Commission's Annual Report for the year 2022–23 with great pleasure and an overwhelming sense of responsibility. As we look back at the previous year, we are reminded of the Commission's unwavering dedica on to the protec on and promo on of human rights for all. The NHRC was established in 1993 to promote, protect and defend the human rights of all human beings. Since then, it has been working on issues of bonded and child labour, health, mental health, extrajudicial killings, prison condi ons, and the protec on of vulnerable groups, including women, children, persons with disabili es, senior ci zens, and LGBTQI, among others. Furthermore, the Commission's goal has always been to ini ate discourses on ma ers that require the a en on of the society in general and governments in par cular. In the wake of Covid–19 pandemic and climate change affec ng lives and livelihoods on such an unprecedented scale, especially poor and vulnerable sec ons of society, NHRC India have not faltered in its commitment to protect every person's fundamental rights. The vital significance of human rights has been reiterated and further strengthened by the tenacity of communi es, the bravery of people, and the teamwork needed to achieve jus ce and equality. The Na onal Human Rights Commission has led the charge in addressing several concerns all year long. We have strived to be a beacon of jus ce and hope for people in need, from standing up for the rights of marginalized popula ons to looking into situa ons of viola ons of human rights. Our work has not been without challenges, but it is through these challenges that we find our strength. To encourage a culture of reverence for human rights, we have had discussions with government authori es, civil society organiza ons, Human Rights Defenders, and other stakeholders. In addi on, we have commi ed countless hours to bringing a en on to human rights concerns so that people feel empowered to defend their own rights and the rights of others. The Annual Report of 2022-2023 consists of 09 Chapters, which elaborate on the Commission's ini a ves for the year. The report also focuses on the NHRC's accomplishments throughout the previous financial year and how it addressed human rights concerns during that period. It will provide readers with insights into individual complaints, research studies, and discussions on recent developments. In addi on to highligh ng the major events that the Commission organized, the report also covers NHRC India's engagement with the Global Alliance of Na onal Human Rights Ins tu ons, the Asia Pacific Forum of Na onal Human Rights Ins tu ons, and the Human Rights Council. ix