Human Rights Day is observed on 10^th December every year to commemorate the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), which was adopted and proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in 1948. The UDHR serves as a global benchmark for the protection and promotion of human rights. The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), India views Human Rights Day as an opportunity for various stakeholders worldwide to reflect on their actions and responsibilities, ensuring that they do not contribute to the violation of human rights.

The UDHR embodies the principle that all human beings are born free and equal, with the right to life, liberty, and security, equality before the law, and freedom of thought, conscience, religion, opinion, and expression. This principle is also reflected in India’s Constitution and the Protection of Human Rights Act (PHRA), 1993, which provided the legal framework for the establishment of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), India on 12^th October, 1993.

To mark Human Rights Day on 10^th December, 2024, the NHRC is organising a programme at the Plenary Hall of the Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi. The President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu will grace the occasion as the Chief Guest, in the presence of the NHRC, India Acting Chairperson, Smt. Vijaya Bharathi Sayani, Secretary General, Shri Bharat Lal, along with senior officers, members of statutory commissions, SHRCs, diplomats, civil society, and other dignitaries.

This event will be followed by a National Conference on 'Mental well-being: Navigating stress from classroom to workplace.' The three sessions include ‘Stress among Children and Adolescents,’ ‘Mental health challenges in institutions of higher learning,’ and ‘Stress and burnout at workplaces.’ The conference aims to explore the psychological impacts of stress at various stages of life- From education to employment and propose recommendations to promote mental well-being across different sectors.

The theme for this year’s Human Rights Day, “Our Rights, Our Future, Right Now,” emphasises that human rights are not just aspirational but also a practical tool for empowering individuals and communities to create a better future. Embracing the transformative potential of human rights can help build a more peaceful, equitable, and sustainable world. Now is the time to renew global action for a future rooted in human dignity.

The Commission has consistently worked to ensure the protection of both civil and political rights, as well as economic, social, and cultural rights. It has made significant contributions to mainstreaming a human rights-centred approach in government policies and programs, and in raising awareness among public authorities and civil society through various initiatives. It continues to foster human rights discussions at national and international forums and engages in dialogue with civil society, NGOs, human rights defenders, experts, statutory commission members, state human rights commissions, and government officials.

The NHRC, India has conducted numerous spot investigations, open hearings, and camp sittings since its inception on 12^th October, 1993 till 30^th November, 2024. During more than three decades it registered a total of 23,14,794 and disposed of 23,07,587 cases, including 2,880 cases based on suo motu cognisance, recommended about Rs. 256.57 lakh as monetary relief to the victims of human rights violations.

During the last one year, from 1^st December, 2023 to 30^th November, 2024, the NHRC, India registered 65,973 cases and disposed of 66,378 cases, including those carried forward from previous years. It took suo motu cognisance in 109 cases and recommended Rs. 17,24,40,000/- in monetary relief to victims of human rights violations during this period of the last year. The Commission also held a camp in Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh.

The impact of NHRC, India is further demonstrated by its reviews of numerous bills, laws, conferences, research projects, 31 advisories, and more than 100 publications, including monthly newsletters and media reports, all of which testify to its efforts in promoting and protecting human rights. The advisories issued cover a range of issues, including child sexual abuse material (CSAM), rights of widows, the right to food, health, mental health, informal workers’ rights, and environmental pollution, among others.

The NHRC has appointed 14 Special Rapporteurs to assess human rights conditions across various regions of the country. These Rapporteurs conduct visits to shelters, prisons, and similar institutions, preparing reports with recommendations for future action. Additionally, 21 Special Monitors focus on specific human rights issues and report their findings to the Commission.

The Commission has established 12 core groups on various human rights themes and regularly holds discussions with experts and senior government officials to finalise recommendations. It also organises open house discussions with stakeholders on various human rights issues. Over the past year, it held several core group meetings, open house discussions, and national consultations on various aspects of human rights.

The NHRC, India continues to collaborate with central and state governments, parastatal organisations, academic institutions, NGOs, and human rights defenders to protect and promote human rights. This year, the Commission began a new programme to sensitise All India Services officers, including IAS, IPS, and IFS officers, to equip them with a deeper understanding of human rights, enabling them to share this knowledge within their respective organisations.

The Commission also organised about 55 collaborative workshops, 06 moot court competitions, and multiple internships, benefiting students from across the country. Students and faculty members from 44 universities and colleges visited the Commission for orientation on human rights and their protection mechanisms. Additionally, it hosted debates for Central Para-military forces and State Police organisations to raise awareness of human rights.

The NHRC, India has intervened in numerous cases, including issuing notices to sports bodies to address harassment of women in the workplace, recommending free housing for homeless persons, compensating victims of communal riots, and assisting with the rehabilitation of persons displaced by natural disasters. It has also intervened in cases of suicide by debt-ridden farmers and recommended amendments to 97 laws discriminating against persons with Hansen’s disease.

The Commission has expanded its outreach through the HRCNet Portal, which connects with state authorities and allows individuals to file complaints online and track their status in real-time. The portal is linked to over five lakh Common Service Centers and the National Government Services Portal.

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NSK/VCK