The National Human Rights Commission has been set up under the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993, for the better protection of human rights and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto. The functions of the Commission are detailed in Section 12 of the Act and, apart from enquiry into complaints of violation of human rights or negligence in the prevention of such violation by a public servant, include visits to jails and other institutions, spreading of human rights awareness, encouraging the efforts of Non- Governmental Organizations and institutions working in the field of human rights, etc. As the Commission is based in Delhi, it is not possible for the Commission to be present in different parts of the country to ascertain the position of human rights in these areas. In order to ensure the reach of the Commission to all regions of the country, the Commission has decided to engage Special Monitors on thematic issues, who function as the eyes and ears of the Commission.

Special Monitor is a title given to an individual who is working on behalf of NHRC, within the scope of laid down guidelines on either a region specific mandate or on thematic issues pertaining to the human rights.

The primary responsibility of the Special Monitor is to 'examine, monitor, evaluate, advise and report' on human rights violations through 'activities undertaken by special procedures, conducting visits and providing advice on emerging issues from the perspective of human rights. The Special Monitors are also engaged in general promotional activities towards promotion and protection of human rights or any other duty as assigned by the Commission. Services of eminent persons who have knowledge or practical experience in dealing with the Human Rights issues and are domain experts may be utilized to assist the Commission in discharging its statutory responsibilities. Accordingly, this scheme for engagement of such persons as Special Monitors has been formulated. The engagement of Special Monitor will be governed by the following general conditions.

Guidelines for the engagement of Special Monitors (with effect from 29.05.2024) and the list of Special Monitors engaged by NHRC are as below: