s of CHAPTER-2 one ion, her NHRC INITIATIVES ON HRDs PARTICIPATION IN PROTECTION AND PROMOTION OF HUMAN RIGHTS and dent ghts, s of thin line racy akes that lice and ible ding Role of NHRC India The National Human Rights Commission of India is mandated under Section 12(i) of Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993 to encourage the efforts of NGOs and institutions working in the field of human rights. Ever since NHRC came into existence, it has worked closely with a number of organizations and individuals, both governmental and non-governmental, to improve the human rights situation in the country along with rendering support and protection to HRDs. It has observed and complied with the United Nations Declaration on HRDs and consequently made efforts to promote the development of protective mechanisms for HRDs across the country. As part of its strategy, it works with non-governmental and civil society organizations; National and State Commissions; State Human Rights Commissions and other key institutions to raise awareness about HRDs and challenges faced by them. NHRC India has initiated and taken many steps to promote and protect the rights of HRDs and also to mitigate the risks faced by them while defending the human rights. A. Focal Point for HRDs in NHRC Acting on one of the recommendations of Workshop on HRDs that was organized by NHRC on 12 October 2009 in New Delhi, a Focal Point for HRDs has been set-up in NHRC to deal with complaints alleging harassment of HRDs by or at the instance of public authorities. The designated contact person at the Focal Point is Shri A.K.Parashar, Joint Registrar (Law). The Focal Point is accessible to HRDs round the clock through (i) Mobile No. 9810298900, (ii) Fax No. 23384012, and (iii) E-mail: hrd-nhrc@nic.in . The Focal Point ensures that the directions of the Commission in every case of alleged harassment of HRDs are complied as a priority and also conveyed to the concerned human right 13