Hindu Editorial Analysis : 23-May-2024

The Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI), linked to the United Nations, has deferred the accreditation of India’s National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) for the second consecutive year. This situation raises concerns about India’s commitment to human rights.

About GANHRI

GANHRI is an important organization that brings together 120 National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) from around the world. It is responsible for:

  • Reviewing and accrediting NHRIs
  • Ensuring compliance with the Paris Principles, which were established in 1993

The review process is conducted by the Sub-Committee for Accreditation (SCA) every five years. Various bodies, including the U.N. Human Rights Office and civil society groups, evaluate the performance of NHRIs.

NHRC’s Accreditation Record

The NHRC was established under the Protection of Human Rights Act in 1993. It has enjoyed ‘A’ status accreditation since 1999, which it retained in 2006, 2011, and 2017. However, for the first time, its status has been suspended for two years in a row, in 2023 and 2024.

Reasons for Deferred Accreditation

Several factors have contributed to the deferral of the NHRC’s accreditation:

  • Lack of Diversity: The NHRC lacks diversity in its composition, which is crucial for fair representation.
  • Opaque Appointment Process: The process of appointing members to the NHRC is not transparent, raising concerns about accountability.
  • Inadequate Cooperation: The NHRC has not worked sufficiently with civil society organizations, which play a key role in human rights advocacy.
  • Police Involvement: The involvement of police personnel in investigations creates potential conflicts of interest.
  • Response to Violations: The NHRC has struggled to effectively address rising human rights violations.

These issues have led to the NHRC’s accreditation being deferred.

Impacts of Deferred Accreditation

The consequences of losing ‘A’ status are significant:

  • Participation in UN Bodies: NHRIs with ‘A’ status can actively participate in the UN Human Rights Council and other important bodies.
  • Voting Rights: They have the right to vote and hold governance positions within GANHRI.
  • Limited Participation for ‘B’ Status: NHRIs with ‘B’ status can only participate in meetings without voting rights.

The potential downgrade of the NHRC’s status reflects on India’s commitment to human rights and the effectiveness of its primary human rights institution. Furthermore, it could impact India’s ability to vote at the Human Rights Council and in other UN General Assembly bodies.

Why In News

The United Nations-linked Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI) has deferred the accreditation of the National Human Rights Commission-India (NHRC) for the second consecutive year, raising serious concerns about the effectiveness of India’s commitment to upholding human rights standards.

MCQs about The Deferred Accreditation of India’s National Human Rights Commission

  1. What organization deferred the accreditation of the National Human Rights Commission-India (NHRC) for the second consecutive year?
    A. World Health Organization (WHO)
    B. Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI)
    C. United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)
    D. International Criminal Court (ICC)
    Correct Answer: B. Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI)
    Explanation: GANHRI is responsible for reviewing and accrediting National Human Rights Institutions, including the NHRC in India.
  2. What is the significance of ‘A’ status accreditation for NHRIs?
    A. It allows them to receive funding from the UN.
    B. It grants them the right to vote and hold governance positions within GANHRI.
    C. It permits them to operate without any oversight.
    D. It ensures they have unlimited resources for human rights work.
    Correct Answer: B. It grants them the right to vote and hold governance positions within GANHRI.
    Explanation: NHRIs with ‘A’ status can actively participate in the UN Human Rights Council and have voting rights in GANHRI.
  3. Which of the following is NOT a reason for the deferred accreditation of the NHRC?
    A. Lack of diversity in its composition
    B. Effective response to human rights violations
    C. Opaque appointment process for its members
    D. Inadequate cooperation with civil society organizations
    Correct Answer: B. Effective response to human rights violations
    Explanation: The NHRC’s inability to effectively respond to escalating human rights violations was one of the reasons for the deferral, making option B incorrect.
  4. What was the NHRC’s accreditation status prior to the deferral in 2023 and 2024?
    A. ‘C’ status
    B. No status
    C. ‘A’ status
    D. ‘B’ status
    Correct Answer: C. ‘A’ status
    Explanation: The NHRC had been accredited as an ‘A’ status NHRI since the beginning of the accreditation process in 1999, but it faced deferral for the first time in two consecutive years starting in 2023.

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