State Human Rights Commission
Also called: SHRC · Topic: Statutory, Regulatory and Quasi-judicial Bodies · NCERT: Beyond NCERT
Meaning
A State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) is a statutory body set up in a state under Section 21 of the Protection of Human Rights Act 1993. A former Chief Justice or judge of a High Court chairs it. It inquires into human rights violations on subjects in the State List and the Concurrent List. Like the NHRC, it can only recommend action. It cannot punish anyone.
Example
The Governor appoints SHRC members on the advice of a committee. The committee is made up of the Chief Minister, the Speaker, the state Home Minister and the Leader(s) of Opposition. A complaint about a custodial death in a state police station would fall within its jurisdiction, because police is a State subject.
Don't confuse with
- National Human Rights Commission: it is chaired by a former Supreme Court judge and works at the national level. The SHRC is chaired by a former High Court Chief Justice or judge and works only on State and Concurrent List matters.
Related concepts
- National Human Rights Commission
- Protection of Human Rights (Amendment) Act 2019
- Paris Principles
- GANHRI accreditation
- Human rights courts