NHRC to start NGO (Liaison and Service) Programme

The work of non-governmental organisations is essential to the empowerment of civil society. It is for this reason that the National Human Rights Commission is called upon by the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993 [Section 12 (I)] to "encourage the efforts of non-governmental organisations and institutions working in the field of human rights".

In order to promote this objective more comprehensively, the Commission is setting-up an "NGO – Liaison and Service" under its Projects and Programmes Division. The programme, which will be under the direct charge of a Member of the Commission, will be implemented with the help of a Special Rapporteur. The Special Rapporteur will work in collaboration with other Special Rapporteurs of the Commission and with State Human Rights Commissions. He will prepare a state-wise list of NGOs engaged in the field of civil liberties and in the field of economic, social and cultural rights. He will convene workshops, seminars, symposia, conferences and meetings of NGOs with the objective of strengthening civil society and promoting the networking of like-minded NGOs working in common areas of service and specialisation. He will also devise ways and means in which the Commission could encourage the efforts of these NGOs.

The Special Rapporteur will also prepare an "Information Directory" of existing programmes of the Union and State Governments, as well as National and International Funding Agencies, that give financial support to NGOs.