Parliament has passed the Protection of Human Rights (Amendment) Bill, 2019 with Rajya Sabha approving it today.

The Lok Sabha has already passed the Bill. The Bill amends the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993.

The bill provides for a reduction in the tenure of Chairpersons of National Human Rights Commission and State Human Rights Commissions to three years from the current five years.

The bill also states that besides the former Chief Justice of India, as is the current requirement, a former Supreme Court Judge can also become the NHRC Chairperson.

Similarly, a former High Court Judge can also become a State Human Rights Commission Chairperson besides a High Court Chief Justice. Replying to the debate on this bill, Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai reiterated the NDA Government’s commitment to protecting the Human rights and autonomy of Human rights bodies.

Earlier, participating in the debate,  Elamaram Kareem of CPI(M) demanded to send the bill to Select committee for further discussion. Prof Ram Gopal Yadav of Samajwadi Party said that provision of reappointment of NHRC members does not exist anywhere in the world and that they should have a fixed tenure.

Prabhat Jha of BJP also talked about the human rights issue. Vivek Tankha of Congress, Manoj Jha of RJD, Prasanna Acharya of BJD and others also expressed their views.