New Delhi, October 12th, 2011

The National Human Rights Commission, NHRC is celebrating its 19th Foundation Day today. It was on this day in 1993, the NHRC was set up under the Protection of Human Rights Act passed by Parliament. During the last 18 years of its existence, the Commission has registered a total 1094113 cases of human rights violations, either suo moto or on complaints or on intimation by the prison and police authorities, out of which 1077622 cases have been disposed of till date.

A total of Rs. 510,942,500 has been recommended by the Commission in 2604 cases as monetary relief for the victims of human rights violation or their next of kin. This is in addition to recommending punitive action against the public servants wherein it was found that they had either violated human rights or been negligent in protecting them.

Apart from this amount, Rs. 2596.25 lakhs have been recommended as monetary relief for the next of kin of 1400 identified deceased persons in the Punjab Mass Cremation case.

Maximum Rs. 178,465,500 as monetary relief was recommended in 580 cases during the year 2010-11. In the current financial year so far, the Commission has recommended monetary relief of Rs. 71,498,000 in 315 cases of human rights violations.

The NHRC has registered highest 622635 number of complaints from Uttar Pradesh followed by Delhi 69409. The ten top states from where maximum complaints have been registered include Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Bihar, Haryana, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Uttarakhand, Tamil Nadu and Jharkhand. Minimum 41 complaints have been received from the state of Lakshadweep.

The Commission registered 20604 cases on death in judicial custody, out of which 19770 have been registered on the basis of intimation received from the prison authorities as per the guidelines of the Commission. 4303 cases have been registered in the category of death in police custody out of which 2692 are based on intimations received from the concerned police authorities in different states.

Maximum 425877 complaints have been registered against the police authorities under various counts. In the category of death in police custody, the Commission registered maximum (901) complaints from Uttar Pradesh followed by Maharashtra (453), Andhra Pradesh (305), Gujarat (260), Tamil Nadu (221), West Bengal (219) and Bihar (207).

In the category of death in judicial custody, Uttar Pradesh registered highest (3822) cases followed by Bihar (2435), Maharashtra (2014), Andhra Pradesh (1621), Punjab (1080) and West Bengal (997).

The NHRC has also given its views on a number of legislations in addition to guidelines and recommendations on various issues of human rights. Apart from a monthly newsletter in English and Hindi, the Commission has published more than 40 books and journals on human rights issues besides holding workshops and seminars for spreading awareness. It has made a number of interventions on key issues of human rights which include, among others, right to health, rights of persons with disability, issues of bonded and child labour, prison reforms, mental health care, silicosis etc.

The Commission is organizing a special function including a cultural programme in the evening today to celebrate its Foundation Day and highlight the importance of promotion and protection of human rights as given to the people under the Constitution and international covenants.

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