Annual Report 2012-2013
into personnel, accounts, library and other requirements of the officers and staff of the
NHRC. The work of the Division is handled by the Joint Secretary (P&A) who is assisted by
a Director/Deputy Secretary, Under Secretaries, Section Officers and other secretarial staff.
The Information and Public Relations Unit under the Administration Division disseminates
information relating to the activities of the NHRC through the print and electronic media.
It brings out a bilingual monthly Newsletter 'Human Rights' and other publications of the
Commission. Furthermore, it looks into applications and appeals received under the Right
to Information Act, 2005.
3.12
The reach of the Commission is considerably enhanced by the appointment of Special
Rapporteurs and the constitution of Core and Expert Groups. Special Rapporteurs are senior
officers who, prior to their retirement, have served as Secretaries to the Government of
India or Directors General of Police or have done exemplary service in a human rights
related field. They are either assigned specific subjects to deal with, such as bonded labour,
child labour, custodial justice, disability, etc., or a zone comprising of a group of States/
Union Territories to look into human rights concerns and violations.
3.13
Core/Expert Groups consist of eminent persons or representatives of bodies working
on human rights issues. These Groups render expert advice to the Commission on various
issues. Some of the important Core/Expert Groups currently functioning in the NHRC are:
•
Core Advisory Group on Health
•
Core Group on Mental Health
•
Core Group on Disability
•
Core Group on NGOs
•
Core Group on Legal Issues
•
Core Group on Right to Food
•
Core Group on Rights of Elderly Persons
•
Expert Group on Silicosis
Functions
3.14
The Commission has a wide mandate. Its functions as laid down in Section 12 of
the PHRA include:
•
20
Inquire, suo motu or on a petition presented to it by a victim or any person
on his behalf or on a direction or order of any court, into complaint of
(i) violation of human rights or abetment thereof; or (ii) negligence in the
prevention of such violation, by a public servant.
NHRC