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NHRC records more than 30,000 complaints during pandemic peak

Graphic: Reception area, NHRC office

In a statement to mark the Commission’s 27th anniversary, the Commission's Chairperson said the year had posed profound challenges for humanity.

The National Human Rights Commission has said in a statement that is registered 32,876 complaints between April and September as the country grappled with the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

NHRC Chairperson Justice H.L. Dattu said in the statement to mark the Commission's 27th anniversary that the year had posed profound challenges for humanity.

"We have been trying to cope with the related challenges in line with the spirit of COVID warriors, to face the adversity despite the fact that some NHRC employees were also impacted by the pandemic," Justice Dattu said.

The statement noted that the Commission registered 73,729 complaints from 1 October 2019 to 30 September 2020.

A total of 29 suo moto cases of human rights violation taken up by the rights panel, he said.

In addition, the Supreme Court allowed the NHRC to intervene its suo moto petition on the issues of migrant labourers, the statement said.

The Commission has been repeatedly raised concerns about the impact of COVID-19 and the resultant lockdown measures on the rights of vulnerable groups across India.

It convened a Committee of Experts on the Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Human Rights and Future Response, which has issued the following advisory notes:

  • Human Rights Advisory for Protection of the Rights of Children in the context of COVID-19
  • Human Rights Advisory on Rights to Food Security and Nutrition in the context of COVID-19
  • Human Rights Advisory on Rights of Persons with Disability in the context of COVID-19
  • Human Rights Advisory on Rights to Health in the context of COVID-19
  • Human Rights Advisory on Right of Mental Health in the context of COVID-19
  • Human Rights Advisory on Rights of Women in the context of COVID-19
  • Human Rights Advisory for Protection of the Rights of LGBTQI+ Community in the context of COVID-19 pandemic.

The Committee includes representatives from the civil society organisations, independent experts and representatives from relevant government ministries.

Date: 12 October 2020

Source: National Human Rights Commission


Image credits

  1. Reception area, NHRC office - APF