Justice Shri Cyriac Joseph, Acting Chairperson, NHRC attended an International Conference for NHRIs on 'Best Practices and Lessons Learned' organised by the Human Rights Institution of Turkey at Istanbul from the 12th - 13th June, 2015. Justice Joseph addressed the Second Session of the Conference on 'Relations of NHRIs with NGOs, State Institutions and International Organisations' on the 12th June, 2015.
Tracing the evolution of the concept of human rights and how this has been imbibed in the Constitution of India, he gave an insight into the functioning of the NHRC, India. He said that its relations with State Institutions are very well defined under the Protection of Human Rights Act passed by Parliament in 1993. The independence and autonomy of the NHRC, India is recognized and respected by the Executive Government. In almost all the cases of human rights violation, the Governments concerned, comply with the Commission's recommendations.
Justice Joseph informed that the NHRC, India also reviews domestic legislations and makes assessment of the implementation of Government's key socio-economic programmes and has been actively involved in human rights literacy. The Commission has a collaborative approach with the National Commissions as well as State Commissions for the interlinking of its complaints management and information system for more effective disposal of cases and to ensure non-duplicity. The Commission regards NGOs and civil society organisations as its natural allies and valuable partners in the fight against rights violation. It has set up a Focal Point for Human Rights Defenders for prompt remedial action on violation of their rights.
The Supreme Court and High Courts have reposed great faith and confidence in the Commission by referring to it several cases involving violations of human rights and the relationship of the judiciary with the NHRC has been quite supportive and encouraging.
At international front, he said that the NHRC, India is a Member of the International Coordinating Committee of NHRIs (ICC) and regularly participates in its meetings accredited as 'A - Status NHRI'. It has been a Founding Member of the Asia Pacific Forum of NHRIs and supports its works with an annual voluntary contribution of US$ 1,50,000/-. It is also a part of different UN mechanisms of human rights and participates in the Universal Periodic Review process.