Role of International and National Human Rights Commissions in Safeguarding Human Rights

Ekpreet Kaur

doi:10.36948/ijfmr.2026.v08i04.82737

Role of International and National Human Rights Commissions in Safeguarding Human Rights

Author(s)	Ms. Ekpreet Kaur
Country	India
Abstract	Human rights commissions occupy a difficult but necessary position between law, administration and public accountability. They are neither ordinary courts nor political departments, yet they are expected to respond to violations that often arise from the conduct of the State itself. This article examines the role of international and national human rights commissions in safeguarding human rights, with particular reference to the United Nations human rights system, the Paris Principles, the National Human Rights Commission of India and State Human Rights Commissions. The central argument is that human rights commissions are indispensable accountability institutions, but their effectiveness depends upon independence, accessibility, plural composition, adequate resources, credible investigation, transparent appointments and meaningful follow-up of recommendations. At the international level, mechanisms such as treaty bodies, the Human Rights Council, Universal Periodic Review and Special Procedures create normative pressure and supervisory engagement, although they suffer from weak enforceability and political selectivity. At the national level, the Indian NHRC has contributed to rights protection in areas such as custodial violence, prison conditions, bonded labour, women’s rights, child rights, disability rights and socio-economic entitlements. However, the recommendatory character of its powers, delay, vacancies, appointment concerns, limited field presence and dependence on government agencies restrict its impact. The article concludes that human rights commissions must be strengthened not as symbolic bodies but as independent constitutional-democratic institutions capable of translating human dignity into administrative accountability.
Keywords	Human Rights Commission; NHRC; International Human Rights; Paris Principles; Protection of Human Rights Act; Accountability; Human Rights Enforcement.
Field	Sociology > Administration / Law / Management
Published In	Volume 8, Issue 4, July-August 2026
Published On	2026-07-15
DOI	https://doi.org/10.36948/ijfmr.2026.v08i04.82737

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Role of International and National Human Rights Commissions in Safeguarding Human Rights

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