The Protection of Human Rights Act 1993, an Act of the Parliament, provides for establishment of the National Human Rights Commission at the national level and State Human Rights Commissions at the state level.

The Rajasthan State Human Rights Commission is one of the leading State Commissions in the country. In a short span it has achieved many milestones in its mission for the protection and promotion of Human Rights.

The Commission was fully constituted by appointment of the Chairperson along with the Members and became functional from March 2000.

Rajasthan State Human Rights Commission having one Chairperson and 2 Members in accordance with the provisions of The Protection of Human Rights (Amendment) Act, 2006. The particulars of the Hon’ble Chairperson and Hon’ble Members are as follows :

Justice Gopal Krishan Vyas, Honourable Chairperson
Justice Shri Ram Chandra Singh Jhala, Honourable Member
Shri Mahesh Goyal, Honourable Member

First Chairperson was Justice Ms. Kanta Bhatnagar.

Appointment of RSHRC Members: The Rajasthan State Human Rights Commission members are appointed by the Governor. They can only be removed by the President.

Tenure of RSHRC Members: Appointed for a term of three years or till they reach the age of 70 years.

Unlike other Commissions, only a former Chief Justice of a High Court can be appointed as Chairperson and, likewise, the Secretary to the Commission is an officer not below the rank of Secretary to the State Government.

The Commission has an investigating agency of its own headed by a police officer not below the rank of Inspector General.

Functions of RSHRC

Enquire on its own initiative or on a petition presented to it by a victim or any other person on his/her behalf into complaint of
1. violation of human rights or abatement or;
2. negligence in the prevention of such violations by a public servant;
Intervene in any proceeding involving any allegation or violation of human right pending before a court to the approval of that court;
Visit any jail or any other institution under the control of the State Government where persons are detained or lodged for purposes of treatment, reformation or protection, for the study of living conditions of the inmates;
Review the safeguards provided by or under the constitution or any other law for the time being in force for the protection of human rights;
Review the factors that inhibit the enjoyment of human rights;
Undertake and promote research in the field of human rights;
Spread human right literacy and promote awareness of the safeguards available for protection of these rights through publications, medical seminars and other available means;
Encourage the efforts of Non-Government Organizations (NGOs) and extension work in the field of human rights; and
Perform such other functions as it may consider necessary for the promotion of human rights.

It is clarified that though ordinarily the Commission has the power to make enquiry when there is violation of human rights (or abetment thereof) by a public servant; where the human rights are violated by a private citizen, the Commission can intervene if there is failure or negligence on the part of a public servant to prevent such violation.