NHRC Chairperson Justice V. Ramasubramanian advised State Commissions to stay within their jurisdiction to prevent case duplication and enhance information sharing. He stressed the importance of aligning with the Protection of Human Rights Act’s definition, despite courts broadening fundamental rights. By maintaining clear jurisdiction, unnecessary legal battles can be minimized, leading to more efficient services by the Commissions.
Justice Ramasubramanian encouraged SHRCs to digitalize their processes and integrate with the HRCNet portal for better collaboration with NHRC. He envisioned increased cooperation and future face-to-face interactions among the Commissions for improved efficiency. NHRC Members and senior officials were also in attendance at the virtual conference.
Justice Sarangi commended the NHRC-SHRC interaction as a vital step towards enhancing coordination. He advocated for improved communication and coordination to ensure prompt execution of orders, especially in critical cases like custodial deaths. Sayani urged SHRCs to conduct more field visits and engage closely with affected communities to enhance institutional effectiveness.
Secretary General Bharat Lal highlighted that over the past five years, 4.28 lakh complaints were received, with major issues falling under categories like police violations, exploitation by mafias, service-related disputes, women’s rights violations, and conditions in jails. He emphasized the need for effective coordination between SHRCs and NHRC Special Monitors and Special Rapporteurs to bolster institutional effectiveness and public assistance initiatives.
