The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) of India is an independent human rights authority in India that works to protect and promote the rights of individuals within the country. NHRC was established in the year 1993 by an act of parliament hence a statutory body.
NHRC’s performance was reviewed in order to decide on the accreditation status. For the second time in a row, Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI) deferred the accreditation of NHRC of India citing objections likepolitical interference in appointments among others. The decision wa taken on May 2.
Further, GANHRI said the NHRC has repeatedly failed to deliver its mandate, in particular to protect the rights of people from marginalized communities, religious minorities, women and human rights defenders.
“NHRC’s lacks of independence, pluralism, diversity and accountability, contrary to the U.N.’s principles on the status of national institutions known as Paris Principles.”
Why the accreditation matters?
UN accreditation is a formal recognition given by the United Nations to organizations that work in the field of human rights.
Accreditationis are given after a rigorous process of review of the concerned Institutions such as National Human Rights Institutes (NHRI) by the Global Alliance for National Human Rights Institutes (GANHR), a trusted UN partner, through its Sub Committee on Accreditation (SCA). Accredited organizations are considered expert in its field. India also is a member of GANHRI among the 120 members.
Without the accreditation, NHRC will be unable to represent India at the UN Human Rights Council. Denial of accreditation can limit the NHRC’s influence and ability to perform its functions effectively.
Accreditation by GANHRI can provide legitimacy and recognition to the NHRC of India at the international level, and is seen as a benchmark for the effectiveness of human rights institutions. Accreditation is essential for NHRIs to effectively promote and protect human rights both nationally and globally.
India’s NHRC granted ‘A’ status of accreditation for the first time in 1999 which it retained in 2006, 2011 and in 2017 after that it was deferred for a year.
