🌍 What Are Human Rights?
Human Rights are the basic freedoms and entitlements that belong to every human being — regardless of race, gender, religion, nationality, language, or status.
They ensure a life of dignity, equality, and liberty, and are essential for justice, peace, and human development.
✨ Human rights are inherent, universal, and inalienable — they cannot be denied or taken away arbitrarily.
📚 India’s Commitment to Human Rights
India is a sovereign democratic republic founded on the principles of justice, liberty, equality, and fraternity, as outlined in the Preamble of the Constitution.
India protects human rights through:
- 🇮🇳 Constitutional provisions
- ⚖️ National and State Laws
- 🛡️ Judicial decisions
- 🌐 International treaties and conventions
📜 Key Constitutional Provisions
The Constitution of India is the foundation of human rights in the country.
✅ Fundamental Rights (Articles 12–35)
These are justiciable rights guaranteed to every citizen:
- 🗣️ Right to Equality (Art. 14–18) – No discrimination, equal before law
- 🛡️ Right to Freedom (Art. 19–22) – Includes speech, movement, assembly, profession, personal liberty
- 🕊️ Right Against Exploitation (Art. 23–24) – Prohibits human trafficking, bonded and child labor
- 🙏 Right to Freedom of Religion (Art. 25–28) – Freedom of conscience and practice
- 🏫 Cultural and Educational Rights (Art. 29–30) – Protection for minorities
- ⚖️ Right to Constitutional Remedies (Art. 32) – Right to move the Supreme Court for enforcement
🧑⚖️ Article 32 is called the “Heart and Soul” of the Constitution (Dr. B.R. Ambedkar).
📌 Directive Principles of State Policy (Articles 36–51)
Though not enforceable by courts, these guide the State in ensuring social justice, health, education, livelihood, and equal opportunity.
📘 Key Human Rights Laws in India
India has enacted various statutes to protect specific aspects of human rights:
- 🛑 Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993 – Establishes NHRC & SHRCs
- 👧 Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986
- 🧑🦽 Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016
- 🧒 Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015
- 👩 Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005
- 🚫 Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act, 1976
- 🕊️ SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989
- 👮 Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005
- ⚖️ Mental Healthcare Act, 2017 – Right to dignity in mental health
- 🏳️🌈 Various Supreme Court judgments upholding LGBTQ+ rights
These laws ensure that vulnerable, marginalized, and oppressed individuals receive special protection.
🌐 India and International Human Rights Law
India is a signatory to key international human rights instruments, including:
- 🕊️ Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), 1948
- 👨👩👧 International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR)
- 🧑🎓 International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR)
- 👩⚖️ Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW)
- 👶 Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC)
- 🧓 UN Principles for Older Persons
- ♿ UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD)
- 🛑 International Labour Organization (ILO) conventions
While some treaties are automatically enforceable, others require domestic legislation to be fully applicable in India.
🏛️ Institutions Protecting Human Rights
🇮🇳 1. National Human Rights Commission (NHRC)
- Established under the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993
- Investigates complaints of human rights violations
- Recommends action, compensation, and legal reform
- Conducts human rights awareness and monitoring
🏢 2. State Human Rights Commissions (SHRCs)
- Handle violations within the state’s jurisdiction
- Work closely with local law enforcement and government bodies
⚖️ 3. Courts of Law
- Supreme Court and High Courts protect and enforce human rights
- Public Interest Litigations (PILs) have expanded the scope of rights enforcement
- Judicial activism has helped recognize environmental rights, privacy rights, and digital rights
👮 4. Other Statutory Bodies
- 🧒 National/State Commissions for Women, Children, Minorities, SC/ST, Disabled
- 🕵️♀️ Police Complaint Authorities and Legal Services Authorities
🧭 Landmark Judgments Expanding Human Rights
The Indian judiciary has interpreted the Constitution to expand human rights:
- 🏠 Maneka Gandhi v. Union of India – Personal liberty includes dignity
- 🌿 Subhash Kumar v. State of Bihar – Right to environment under Article 21
- 🧑🤝🧑 Vishaka v. State of Rajasthan – Sexual harassment at workplace
- 📱 Justice K.S. Puttaswamy v. Union of India – Right to privacy as a fundamental right
- 🏳️🌈 Navtej Singh Johar v. Union of India – Decriminalized homosexuality (Section 377)
🛡️ CHRC’s Role in Promoting Human Rights Law
CHRC is dedicated to:
- 📢 Educating the public on their legal rights and protections
- 🧑⚖️ Assisting with complaints, litigation, and representation
- 🧾 Helping file RTIs, PILs, or cases before commissions and courts
- 🤝 Collaborating with NHRC, SHRCs, and legal authorities
- 🧑🏫 Conducting rights-awareness campaigns and training programs
We help citizens understand how law can be a tool for empowerment.
❗ Common Human Rights Violations in India
- 🚫 Arbitrary arrest or custodial torture
- 👩 Violence against women and children
- 🚸 Child labor and human trafficking
- 🧑🦽 Discrimination against persons with disabilities
- 💬 Suppression of free speech or press
- 🏠 Forced evictions or land displacement without due process
- ⛓️ Bonded labor or unfair wages
✅ Know Your Remedies
If your human rights are violated, you can:
- 📞 File a complaint with NHRC, SHRC, or CHRC
- 🧑⚖️ Move the High Court or Supreme Court under Article 226 or Article 32
- 📝 Use RTI to expose violations
- ⚖️ File a PIL in public interest
- 💬 Seek legal aid and counseling through CHRC
🌈 Final Words
Human rights are not a privilege granted by the state — they are the birthright of every person.
The legal system is your tool to protect, defend, and demand your dignity.
At CHRC, we say:
✨ “Where law ends, oppression begins. Where rights begin, freedom follows.”
Let’s build a society where every law protects, not punishes, and every person lives with freedom, equality, and respect.
