The NHRC’s “A-status” has only been deferred once before, in 2016, but it was restored in 2017.
- NHRC has been accredited as ‘A’ by Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI) since the beginning of the accreditation process for NHRIs in 1999.
- The deferment will affect India’s ability to vote at the Human Rights Council and some United Nation General Assembly bodies.
Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI)
- GANHRI was established as the International Coordinating Committee of institutions for the promotion and protection of human rights in 1993.
- It was renamed as GANHRI in 2016.
- It has 120 members (India is a member)
- It accredits NHRI with a ‘A status’ (full compliance) or ‘B status; (partial compliance) based on their adherence in meeting the requirements of the Paris Principles.
- Paris Principles set out internationally agreed minimum standards that NHRIs must meet to be considered credible and independent.
Reasons for deferral of Accreditation:
- Police officers engaged in the investigation of human rights violations;
- Lack of pluralism in the composition of the NHRC;
- Lack of diversity in staff and leadership;
- Insufficient action to protect marginalised groups.
