practical help and from the constructive criticism that NGOs and the NHRC can bring to bear in their
mutual interaction and growing relationship.
NHRC constantly works with the NGOs and CSOs engaged in the field of Human Rights. NHRC has also
has constituted a Core Group on HRDs and NGOs to serve as a monitoring mechanism. Accordingly,
with a view to utilize the knowledge, experience and expertise of credible NGOs working in the field
of Human Rights, the Commission conducts regular consultations/ meetings with the NGOs and work
in partnership with NGOs to jointly take up issues concerning human rights and spread of awareness
and human rights literacy amongst people in different parts of the country.
Camp Sittings, Open Hearings
One of the flagship programmes of the NHRC is to conduct Open Hearings/Camp Sittings in different
parts of the country to ensure easy access to justice at the doorstep of the poor. The Commission
invites applications of human rights violation by issuing public notice before holding the Open Hearing/
Camp Sitting in a particular State. Upon receipt of such complaints, the Commission takes up those
issues during an Open Hearing/Camp Sitting in the presence of both the complainant/victim and the
State authorities. After hearing both sides, it renders instant justice by issuing recommendations to
the government authorities. During Open Hearings/Camp Sitting, the Commission also invites the
local NGOs/HRDs/CSOs by engaging with them to address various human rights issues of the region
so that the Commission could draw the attention of the District and State authorities by resolving the
grievances of the HRDs/ NGOS and the people of the locality. In the end, the Commission interacts
with the local media and addresses the concerns raised by the media. This is a mechanism through
which the Commission not only ensures the protection of the civil and political rights of the citizens
but also preserves the socio-economic and cultural rights of the people in the locality by engaging
with the officers of the state government and other authorities, sensitizing and making the officers
aware about their role to protect human rights.
Media and Communication
The Media and Communication (M&C) Unit at the NHRC plays a crucial role in advancing the
organization’s mission to protect and promote human rights within the country. This division serves
as a bridge between the institution and the public, helping to create awareness, advocate for change,
and ensure transparency. The M&C Unit looks after the dissemination of information through media
on different issues and aspects of human rights.
It disseminates information on human rights through media by issuing press releases and publishing
monthly newsletters in English and Hindi, tweeting various activities through its Twitter handle. Other
activities are under:
•
Organize press conference interviews of the Chairperson, Members and senior officers for
media organizations in addition to media coverage of all the significant workshops/seminars
organized by the Commission;
www.nhrc.nic.in, covdnhrc@nic.in, @India_NHRC
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