CHAPTER 3 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. TheInformation and Public Relations Unitunder the Administration Divisiondisseminates 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 Lawyers • Core Group on Right to Food • Core Group on Protection and Welfare of Elderly Persons • Core Advisory Group on Bonded Labour • Expert Group on Silicosis • Expert Group on Emergency Medical Care Functions 3.14 The Commission has a wide mandate. Its functions as laid down in Section 12 of the PHRA include: • 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 National Human Right Commission Annual Report - 2014-2015 25