Chairperson NHRC F o r e w o r d The National Human Rights Commission is pleased to present to the Parliament and people of India, its twenty-fourth Annual Report for the period from 01 April 2016 to 31 March 2017. 2. The National Human Rights Commission has completed 24 years of its pioneering work in the promotion and protection of human rights since its establishment on 12 October 1993 under the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993. Since then, the Commission has consistently worked towards bringing a human rights-centered approach in the Government at Central and State levels, as well as towards creating human rights awareness and sensitization amongst public authorities and civil society. Through the years, the Commission has channelized its efforts towards broadening the ambit of human rights to ensure the protection of the civil and political rights of the people as well as safeguard their economic, social, and cultural rights. 3. In a society as diverse as ours, the indivisibility and inter-connectedness of human rights, whether civil and political or economic, social and cultural, is self-evident, especially in respect of the most vulnerable, including people belonging to Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Women, Children, Disabled and other vulnerable groups. The deprivation, problems and concerns that confront each of these groups, remained an important area of concern for the Commission during the period under review. 4. Accordingly, during 2016-2017, the Commission continued to intervene in matters concerning civil and political rights, on the basis of suo motu cognizance of media reports as well as complaints received. Further, in fulfillment of its mandate and diverse functions envisaged under Section 12 of the Act, the Commission also continued to address rights relating to health, food, education, rights of persons belonging to Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe communities as well as other vulnerable groups, including women, children, disabled and the elderly, human rights education, and training and awareness. 5. It is heartening to note that the Commission’s relentless efforts for the protection and promotion of human rights have led to a phenomenal increase in the number of complaints it receives each year. This is indicative not only of the growing awareness of human rights among the people, but also their growing confidence that the Commission is an able and responsible institution, firmly committed to safeguarding their rights. It is a matter of great satisfaction that,