Parlament clears Human Rights bill

26 Jul 2019

Parlament clears Human Rights bill

Parlament clears Human Rights billThe Rajya Sabha has cleared the Protection of Human Rights (Amendment) Bill 2019 by a voice vote.

The Lok Sabha had cleared it on 22nd July.

The bill aims to speed up the process of appointment of the chairperson and members of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and the State Human Rights Commission (SHRC).

Major Features of the Bill:

Composition of NHRC: The amendment bill provides that a person who has been Chief Justice (CJI) of the Supreme Court or a Judge of the Supreme Court can be the chairperson of the NHRC. Previously, only a former-CJI could be chairperson.
 	Chairperson of SHRC: Similarly, it also modifies the provision of appointing the State Human Rights Commission chairman. With the amendment, a person who has been Chief Justice or Judge of the High Court will be the chairperson of SHRC.
 	Inclusion of women members: The amendment bill allows three members to be appointed in NHRC of which at least one will be a woman.

Parliament passed the bill amid strong criticism from the opposition. The opposition criticised that there is no clarity in the provisions in the bill regarding appointments of chairman.

The government says that the amendments will strengthen the Human Rights institutions of India and make them more effective.

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The Rajya Sabha has cleared the Protection of Human Rights (Amendment) Bill 2019 by a voice vote. The Lok Sabha had cleared it on 22nd […]

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