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Protection of Human Rights (Amendment) Bill 2019
Why is it in the news
- The Rajya Sabha on Monday passed the Protection of Human Rights (Amendment) Bill, 2019.
- The bill seeks to give more administrative and financial powers to central and state human rights bodies.
Highlights of the Bill
- The Bill amends the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993.
- Composition of National Human Rights Commission (NHRC):(1) Under the Act, the chairperson of the NHRC would be Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, or a Judge of the Supreme Court.(2) Three persons having knowledge of human rights to be appointed as members of the NHRC, of which at least one will be a woman.(3) The Bill among others, provides for including the chairpersons of the National Commission for Backward Classes, the National Commission for the Protection of Child Rights, and the Chief Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities as members of the NHRC.
- Term of office:(1) The Bill reduces the term of office from five years to three years or till the age of seventy years, whichever is earlier.(2) Further, the Act allows for the reappointment of members of the NHRC and SHRCs for a period of five years.(3) The Bill removes the five-year limit for reappointment.
- Union Territories:(1) The Bill provides that the central government may confer on a SHRC human rights functions being discharged by Union Territories.(2) Functions relating to human rights in the case of Delhi will be dealt with by the NHRC.
Source
The Hindu