Laxmikanth: Summary of State Human Rights Commission - Indian Polity for UPSC CSE

STATE HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION
The Protection of Human Rights Act of 1993 provides for the creation of State Human Rights Commission at the state level. A State Human Rights Commission can inquire into violation of human rights related to subjects covered under state list and concurrent list in the seventh schedule of the Indian constitution.

Composition:
Human Rights (Amendment) Act, 2006 consists of three members including a chairperson. The chairperson should be a retired Chief Justice of a High Court.
The other members should be:
(i) A serving or retired judge of a High Court or a District Judge in the state with a minimum of seven years’ experience as District judge.
(ii) A person having practical experience or knowledge related to human rights.

• The Governor of the state appoints the chairperson and other members on the recommendations of a committee consisting of the Chief Minister as its head, the speaker of the Legislative Assembly, the state home minister and the leader of the opposition in the Legislative Assembly.
• The tenure of the chairperson and members is five years or until they attain the age of 70 years, whichever is earlier. After the completion of their tenure, they are not eligible for any further employment under the state government or the central government.

Functions of the Commission:
According to the protection of Human Rights Act, 1993; below are the functions of State Human Rights Commission:
(i) Intervene in any proceeding involving any allegation of violation of human rights before a Court with the approval of such Court.
(ii) Review the safeguards provided by or under the constitution of any law for the time being in force for the protection of human rights and recommend measures for their effective implementation.
(iii) Undertake and promote research in the field of human rights.

Working of the Commission

• The commission is vested with the power to regulate its own procedure.
• It has all the powers of a civil court and its proceedings have a judicial character.
• It may call for information or report from the state government or any other authority subordinate thereto.

Criticism:

• State Human Rights Commission has limited powers and its functions are just advisory in nature. The commission does not have power to punish the violators of human rights.
• The recommendations of State Human Rights Commission are not binding on the state government or authority, but it should be informed about the action taken on its recommendation within one month.

Conclusion

• There is a requirement to increase the powers of the State Human Rights Commission. This could be increased in various ways in delivering justice to the victims. The commission should be empowered to provide interim and immediate relief including monetary relief to the victim.
• The commission should also be authorized to punish the violators of the human rights, which may act as deterrent to such acts in the future.