The Ministry of Home Affairs (MoHA) has officially appointed Vijaya Bharathi Sayani as the Acting Chairperson of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) of India, effective from June 2, 2024. Sayani will serve in this role until a new Chairperson is appointed.
Key Highlights:
- Transition of Leadership:
- Outgoing Chairperson: Justice Arun Kumar Mishra, a former Supreme Court judge, completed his term as the Chairperson of NHRC on June 1, 2024. He had been serving since June 2021.
- Incoming Acting Chairperson: Vijaya Bharathi Sayani, who has been a member of the NHRC since December 2023, has taken over as the Acting Chairperson.
About Vijaya Bharathi Sayani:
- Current Role: Sayani has been serving as a member of the NHRC since December 2023.
- Acting Chairperson: Her appointment as the Acting Chairperson marks a significant leadership change within the NHRC.
About Justice Arun Kumar Mishra:
- Tenure: Justice Mishra served as the Chairperson of NHRC from June 2021 until his retirement on June 1, 2024.
- Background: A former judge of the Supreme Court of India, Justice Mishra’s tenure at NHRC was marked by significant contributions to human rights protection.
About National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) of India:
- Establishment: The NHRC was established on October 12, 1993, under the Protection of Human Rights Act (PHRA), 1993, as amended by the Protection of Human Rights (Amendment) Act, 2006.
- Structure:
- The NHRC consists of a Chairperson, five full-time Members, and seven deemed Members.
- The qualifications for the appointment of the Chairperson and Members are laid down by statute.
- Headquarters: New Delhi, Delhi
Functions and Objectives:
- Human Rights Protection: The NHRC is tasked with the protection and promotion of human rights, which are defined as the rights relating to life, liberty, equality, and dignity of the individual guaranteed by the Constitution or embodied in international covenants and enforceable by courts in India.
- Investigation of Complaints: The commission investigates complaints of human rights violations and recommends remedial measures.
- Awareness and Education: It also conducts awareness programs and advises the government on human rights issues.
Future Prospects:
- Leadership Transition: The appointment of a new permanent Chairperson will be a significant development for the NHRC, as it continues to uphold and protect human rights in India.
- Ongoing Work: Under the interim leadership of Vijaya Bharathi Sayani, the NHRC is expected to continue its vital work in investigating human rights violations and advising on policy reforms.
The transition in leadership at the NHRC marks a new chapter in the commission’s ongoing mission to protect and promote human rights in India. The appointment of Vijaya Bharathi Sayani as Acting Chairperson ensures continuity in the commission’s important work.
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