The recognition of National Human Rights Commission of India has been suspended for the second time within a decade by the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI) recognized by the United Nations. The rationale behind revoking the recognition of National Human Rights Commission of India arises from concerns raised regarding issues such as delays and political influence in appointments to the National Human Rights Commission of India and the involvement of law enforcement in investigations related to human rights abuses in India and inadequate collaboration with civil society.
The main reasons for suspending the recognition of National Human Rights Commission of India are:
- Limited representation and inclusivity: The Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI) has identified a lack of diversity within the staff of National Human Rights Commission of India and its leadership. Their rationale is that this homogeneity hinders the Commission’s ability to understand and address the specific needs of all communities in India.
- Inadequate protection for vulnerable groups: The Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI) has raised concerns about the NHRC’s response to human rights violations targeting marginalized groups, communities, religious minorities and human rights defenders. These groups often face a number of challenges and require protection in line with Indian law.
- Conflict of interest in investigations: The Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI) has flagged the NHRC’s practice of involving the police in investigations into alleged human rights abuses by the police. This creates a conflict of interest, raising questions about the impartiality of such investigations.
- Restricted collaboration with civil society: The Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI) finds that the National Human Rights Commission of India does not collaborate effectively with civil society or organizations working on human rights issues. Civil society groups often play a key role in documenting human rights violations and advocating for reform. By limiting collaboration with these organizations, the National Human Rights Commission may lose valuable insights and opportunities to address concerns of ordinary citizens of India.
Global Alliance for National Human Rights Institutions
- The Global Alliance for National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI) is an organization affiliated with the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.
- Acting as a global network, it brings together national human rights institutions (NHRIs) from different countries with the aim of advancing the cause of human rights protection and promotion.
- The Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI) has 120 NHRI members across the world. Its main mission is to unite, advocate for, and enhance the capacities of NHRIs so that they align with the UN Paris Principles, which serve as fundamental standards for the effective functioning of NHRIs.
- Established in 1993, the Global Alliance for National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI) serves as a platform for collaboration, capacity building and advocacy among National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) around the world.
- The primary objective of the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI) is to strengthen the capacity and effectiveness of NHRIs in fulfilling their mandate to promote and protect human rights in their respective countries.
- It provides a platform for NHRIs to exchange best practices, share experiences and address common challenges related to the promotion and protection of human rights.
- One of the key roles of the Global Alliance for National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI) is to accredit NHRIs based on their adherence to the Paris Principles, a set of international standards that outline basic criteria that NHRIs must meet to be considered credible and effective.