SRINAGAR: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) is set to conduct a camp sitting and an open public hearing on grievances related to human rights violations in Jammu and Kashmir. This marks the first time the NHRC will address such issues in the region following the abolition of the State Human Rights Commission.
The camp sitting and open public hearing are scheduled to take place from February 7 to 9, as announced by the NHRC. In accordance with a public notice individuals can submit complaints regarding alleged rights violations to the commission via speed post or email until January 29.
The notice outlines that complaints deemed suitable for inquiry will be taken up during the open public hearing. Parties involved will be duly informed about the date and venue of the hearing in due course.
The background of this development lies in the aftermath of the abrogation of Article 370, leading to the Jammu and Kashmir government’s decision to dismantle the State Human Rights Commission. The Union Government, through the J&K Reorganisation Act, subsequently empowered the NHRC to address human rights concerns in the Union Territory.
The Jammu and Kashmir State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) had been responsible for handling issues of human rights abuses in Jammu and Kashmir. The Government of India officially granted this expanded role to the NHRC on March 18, 2020.
