Bill to strengthen human rights institutions introduced in Lok Sabha

New Delhi, Aug. 9 (IANS): A bill was introduced in the Lok Sabha on Thursday to strengthen the human rights institutions and make them more compliant with the international standards set in Paris Principles.

The Protection of Human Rights (Amendment) Bill, 2018 was introduced by Minister of State for Home Hansraj Gangaram Ahir.

The bill envisages to enlarge the scope of eligibility and scope of selection of Chairperson, National Human Rights Commission as well as the State Human Rights Commission.

It seeks to incorporate a mechanism to look after the cases of human rights violation in the Union Territories.

It also proposes to amend the term of office of chairperson and members of National Human Rights Commission and State Human Rights Commissions to make it in consonance with the terms of chairperson and members of other commissions.

The bill seeks to amend the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993 and will make NHRC and SHRC more compliant with the Paris Principle, a set of international standards which frame and guide the work of national human rights institutions.