About the Goa Human Rights Commission

The Goa Human Rights Commission was constituted on 4 March 2011 to exercise the powers conferred upon it and to perform the functions assigned to it under the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993. It is a statutory, autonomous body that administers the Act within the State of Goa with the object of ensuring the better protection of human rights for all.

For the purposes of the Act, "human rights" means the rights relating to life, liberty, equality and dignity of the individual guaranteed by the Constitution of India or embodied in the International Covenants and enforceable by courts in India. The Commission helps people to resolve situations where there may have been an infringement, by public servants, of fundamental rights enshrined in the Constitution of India.

Functions of the Commission

Under Section 12 of the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993, the Commission may perform all or any of the following functions:

• Inquire, on its own initiative (suo motu) or on a petition presented to it by a victim or any person on his behalf, into a complaint of violation of human rights, or abetment thereof, or negligence in the prevention of such violation by a public servant.
• Intervene in any proceeding involving any allegation of violation of human rights pending before a court, with the approval of such court.
• Visit, under intimation to the State Government, any jail or other institution under the control of the State Government where persons are detained or lodged for purposes of treatment, reformation or protection, to study the living conditions of the inmates and make recommendations thereon.
• Review the safeguards provided by or under the Constitution or any law for the time being in force for the protection of human rights and recommend measures for their effective implementation.
• Review the factors, including acts of terrorism, that inhibit the enjoyment of human rights and recommend appropriate remedial measures.
• Undertake and promote research in the field of human rights.
• Spread human rights literacy among various sections of society and promote awareness of the safeguards available for the protection of these rights through publications, the media, seminars and other available means.
• Encourage the efforts of non-governmental organisations and institutions working in the field of human rights.
• Perform such other functions as it may consider necessary for the promotion of human rights.