Though the Human Rights Commissions have contributed immensely to the protection of human rights in India, yet they have failed to assert themselves against the mighty and powerful. Analysing their structural and practical limitations, suggest remedial measures.
The commission is the watchdog of human rights in the country. It works to protect the right to life, liberty, equality and dignity of the individual guaranteed by the Constitution or embodied in the international covenants and enforceable by courts in India. Contribution to Protection of Human Rights: Commission took cognizance of many individual cases of displacement on account of mega projects, disasters and conflicts. The Commission took Suo motu cognizance of the reports about suicide by farmers. The NHRC took cognizance of the issue of inadequate access to health care in Adivasi communities of south Orissa. As the Convention against torture has not yet been ratified by India, the Commission has been advocating early ratification of the Convention. The Commission is also concerned about allegations of impunity of State and non-State players for torture, deaths in custody, abductions and unlawful killings. The NHRC role has been significant in combating encounter killings and custo...