report of the SCA of GANHRI on NHRC downgrading
the SCA conducted an interview with the NHRC and asked the institution to provide responses in relation to the following issues:
- Involvement of police officers in investigation vis-à-vis the independence of the NHRC and victims’ access to justice
- Appointment of Secretary General noting the recruitment process and the practice of secondment for such official
- Legislative changes to the PHRA
- Composition of the NHRC members and staff and how it guarantees pluralism
- The selection and appointment process in practice
- Addressing human rights violations including the protection of human rights defenders, rights of religious minorities, number of public statements, and recommendations issued
- Cooperation with civil society organizations
Whilst acknowledging the steps taken by the NHRC to address human rights violations and speak up publicly, the SCA notes that these interventions have not been sufficient to address
the systemic human rights violations including:
- protection of human rights defenders,
- rights of religious minorities
- complaints against police officers
- deaths in judicial and police custody and
- follow-up actions on the implementation of its recommendations