Parliamentary committee on Appointment of Chairperson, here on Wednesday declared Senator Syed Muzaffar Hussain Shah as Chairperson National Commission for Human Rights (NCHR) unanimously and unopposed. In a meeting, Senator Kamil Ali Agha proposed the name of Senator Syed Muzaffar Hussain Shah as the Chairperson of the Parliamentary body and Member National Assembly Dr Nafeesa Shah seconded the proposal.
The members also finalised and approved draft rules of the committee. The members of the Parliamentary Committee on Appointment of Chairperson and Members of the National Commission for Human Rights include: Senator Kamil Ali Agha, MNA Muhammad Amjad Farooq Khan Khosa and MNA Dr Nafeesa Shah.
Talking to Business Recorder, Senator Muzaffar Shah Chairman of the Committee said that it is now duty of the federal government to advertise positions of the National Commission for Human Rights in the media and fill them as early as possible. "The commission will keep a check on human rights violations and ultimately help improve image of the country in the comity of nations," he said.
The National Commission for Human Rights Act, 2012 envisages the commission a permanent body that is mandated to safeguard human rights and address grievances of people across the country. Under the Act 2012, the Prime Minister shall in consultation with the Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly forward three names for each post to the parliamentary committee for hearing and confirmation of anyone person for each post.
Provided that in case there is no consensus between the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition, each shall forward separate lists to the parliamentary committee. The commission shall consist of a chairperson, who has been, or is qualified to be, a judge of the Supreme Court or a person having demonstrable knowledge of, or practical experience in, matters relating to human rights; one member from each province, Federally Administrated Tribal Areas (Fata) and Islamabad Capital Territory having demonstrable knowledge of, or practical experience in matters relating to human rights;
Chairperson of the National Commission on Status of Women, one member from minority communities; and a secretary who shall be appointed by the Commission: Provided that of the total membership of the commission, at least two shall be women members.
The commission is mandated to take a suo-motu or can initiate proceedings on a petition presented to it by a victim or any person on his behalf. The commission can inquire into complaints of (a) violation of human rights or abetment thereof; or (b) negligence in the prevention of such violation by a public servant. The commission can also undertake and promote research in the field of human rights, maintain database on the complaints on violation of human rights received and development of human rights norms.
The Act also elaborates on procedure with respect to intelligence agencies. It clearly says the functions of the commission do not include inquiring into the act or practice of intelligence agencies and where a complaint is made to the commission alleging that an act or practice of such an agency is inconsistent with or contrary to any human right, the commission shall refer the complaint to the competent authority concerned. However, the commission and every member of its staff shall function without political or other bias or interference and shall, unless this Act expressly otherwise provides; be independent and separate from any government, administrations or any other functionary or body directly or indirectly representing the interests of any such entity.
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