Context:

Human Rights Day is observed annually on 10^th December to mark the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. 

Human Rights Day 2024

• The theme of the Human Rights Day 2024 is “Our Rights, Our Future, Right Now,”. 
• This year marks the 76^th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR).  
• The day was established in 1950 after the UN General Assembly passed resolution 423 (V), inviting states and organizations to adopt 10 December of each year as Human Rights Day.
• It emphasizes the significance of the fundamental rights of individuals worldwide.

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR):

• The Declaration was proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in Paris on 10 December 1948 under the General Assembly resolution 217 A.
• The UDHR embodies the principle that all human beings are born free and equal, with the right to life, liberty, and security, equality before the law, and freedom of thought, conscience, religion, opinion, and expression.
• The declaration is not a binding document.
• This declaration consists of 30 articles that reflect humanity's shared aspiration for freedom and equality.
• The UDHR is a global blueprint for international, national, and local laws and policies and a bedrock of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
• UDHR is the most translated document in the world as it is available in 577 languages.
• India’s National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) was also established in line with UDHR.

National Human Rights Commission (NHRC):

NHRC of India was established in 1993 under the Protection of Human Rights Act (PHRA), 1993 as amended by the Protection of Human Rights (Amendment) Act, 2006.

Headquarters: - New Delhi

Constitution of NHRC: 

• The Commission consists of a chairperson, 
• Five full-time Members, and 
• Seven deemed Members.

The functions of the Commission: -

• To enquire into complaints of violation of human rights or negligence in the prevention of such violation by a public servant. 
• The Commission also studies treaties and international instruments on human rights and makes recommendations for their effective implementation to the Government.