'Assess performance, not NHRC DNA'

Citing fundamental flaw in argument, NHRC chief questions global body for deferring accreditation for nat'l panel

- BINITA JAISWAL @Chennai

NATIONAL Human Rights Commission (NHRC) Chairperson Justice V Ramasubramanian raised strong objections to the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI) for deferring NHRC's accreditation during the inaugural session of the 13th ThinkEdu Conclave held on Monday.

Speaking on the topic 'Balancing the Scales: Rights, Duties and the Indian Soul,' moderated by Dinamani Editor Vaidiyanathan, Justice Ramasubramanian addressed GANHRI's rationale for withholding NHRC's accreditation for the past two years. GANHRI, the apex certification body for national human rights institutions, cited the commission's non-compliance with the Paris Principles of 1993.

"I think there is a fundamental flaw in their argument. If you have to assess an institution and give accreditation, you must assess its performance and not its DNA," said the NHRC chairperson.