JAMMU: Congress MLA Nizamuddin Bhat has introduced a private member’s bill in the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly proposing the enactment of a comprehensive human rights law for the Union territory. Titled The Jammu and Kashmir Human Rights Bill, 2024, the legislation aims to institutionalise mechanisms for the protection and promotion of human rights at the local level, drawing attention to the need for accessible redressal and preventive frameworks.
The four-page bill calls for the establishment of a Jammu and Kashmir Human Rights Commission with clearly defined powers and functions. The proposed body would be mandated to inquire into violations of human rights by public servants or their failure to prevent such violations by third parties. It also seeks to enable the Commission to visit jails and detention centres, review safeguards provided under laws, and promote awareness about human rights obligations.
In his written justification annexed to the draft, Bhat has argued that while the protection of human rights is a constitutional responsibility, there has been a visible gap in institutional presence after the erstwhile state’s reorganisation. He has pointed out that although the National Human Rights Commission continues to function at the central level, people in the region lack an immediate and responsive mechanism that can address complaints and undertake suo motu interventions in local cases. The proposed legislation, he writes, is aimed at closing that gap.
The bill envisions that the Commission would consist of a chairperson who has been a Chief Justice of a High Court, and at least two other members with knowledge or practical experience in matters relating to human rights. It proposes that the body be autonomous in both function and funding, with the power to summon, inspect, and recommend actions or compensation in appropriate cases. The bill also provides for the creation of a separate investigating wing, a human rights court in each district, and the compilation of annual reports to be laid before the legislature.
Nizamuddin Bhat has emphasised that in a conflict-prone and politically sensitive region like Jammu and Kashmir, the presence of an independent body to address human rights issues is not only a legal requirement but a democratic necessity. He notes in the bill that without such an institution, there is a growing perception of impunity and neglect, which weakens the credibility of the administration and diminishes public confidence in grievance redressal.
The introduction of this legislation comes at a time when several private member bills are being scheduled for the last two working days of the ongoing Assembly session, before it is adjourned sine die. While there is no official indication yet on whether the bill will be taken up for voting or discussion in detail, its content is expected to draw attention amid wider calls for institutional accountability and localised legal remedies.
