Justice A.S. Anand

NEW DELHI: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on Friday expressed displeasure over the fact that as many as 11 States do not have human rights commissions. The NHRC has sent letters to Chief Ministers of these States to set up the commissions immediately.

"I have written to the Chief Ministers of these States to have the State Human Rights Commissions (SHRC) in place expeditiously. Presently, 16 States have SHRCs. And five SHRCs are running without chairpersons," NHRC Chairperson Justice A.S. Anand said during the meeting of NHRC and SHRCs here.

Discouraging response

He said this issue was raised at the interactive meeting of the NHRC and SHRCs in May last year also, where it was resolved that all States should set up SHRCs on priority basis. "Unfortunately, however, the response of the State Governments has been discouraging," he said.

"The State Governments need to appreciate that these commissions act as facilitators and assist them in fulfilling their constitutional obligations and responsibilities of protecting and promoting human rights of a citizen — an absolute element for good governance. I hope that the State Governments would act with all sincerity and set up the commissions immediately," Justice Anand said.

He said State commissions in Punjab, Karnataka and Maharashtra do not have chairpersons. Chairpersons were appointed in SHRCs in Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Gujarat only last week. "Without chairpersons, the commissions are not properly constituted," he said. Besides, the SHRCs in many States were suffering from lack of infrastructure and funds, Justice Anand said. "The SHRCs are suffering from lack of funds. Despite this SHRCs are doing well."

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