In terms of Section 2 of the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993 (hereafter referred to as 'the Act'), "human rights" means the rights relating to life, liberty, equality and dignity of the individual guaranteed under the Constitution or embodied in the International Covenants and enforceable by courts in India. "International Covenants" means the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights adopted by the General Assembly of the United Nations on the 16th December, 1966 .

The Commission shall, perform all or any of the following functions, namely:- a) Inquire, on its own initiative or on a petition presented to it by a victim or any person on his behalf, into complaint of- i ) violation of human rights or abetment or ii) negligence in the prevention of such violation, by a public servant; b) intervene in any proceeding involving any allegation of violation of human rights pending before a court with the approval of such court; c) visit, under intimation to the State Government, 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 to study the living condition of the inmates and make recommendations thereon ; d) review the safeguards 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; e) review the factors, including acts of terrorism that inhibit the enjoyment of human rights and recommend appropriate remedial measures; f) study treaties and other international instruments on human rights and make recommendations for their effective implementation; g) undertake and promote research in the field of human rights; h) 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; i) encourage the efforts of non - Governmental organizations and institutions working in the field of human rights; j) such other functions as it may consider necessary for the promotion of human rights.

While inquiring into complaints under the Act, the Commission shall have all the powers of a civil court trying a suit under the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908, and in particular the following, namely; a) Summoning and enforcing the attendance of witnesses and examining them on oath; b) discovery and production of any document; c) receiving evidence on affidavits; d) requisitioning any public record or copy thereof from any court or office; e) issuing commissions for the examination of witnesses or documents; f) any other matter which may be prescribed.

Yes, the Commission has its own investigating staff headed by a Director General of Police for investigation into complaints of human rights violations. Under the Act, it is open to the Commission to utilise the services of any officer or investigation agency of the Central Government or any State Government. The Commission has associated, in a number of cases, non - Governmental organizations in the investigation work.

Yes, the autonomy of the Commission derives, inter-alia, from the method of appointing its Chairperson and Members, their fixity of tenure, and statutory guarantees thereto, the status they have been accorded and the manner in which the staff responsible to the Commission - including its investigative agency - will be appointed and conduct themselves. The financial autonomy of the Commission is spelt out in Section 32 of the Act. The Chairperson and Members of the Commission are appointed by the President on the basis of recommendations of a Committee comprising the Prime Minister as the Chairperson, the Speaker of Lok Sabha, the Home Minister, the leaders of the opposition in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha and the Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha as Members.

The Commission while inquiring into complaints of violations of human rights may call for information or report from the Central Government or any State Government or any other authority or organization subordinate thereto within such time as may be specified by it; provided that if the information or report is not received within the time stipulated by the Commission, it may proceed to inquire into the complaint on its own; on the other hand, if, on receipt of information or report, the Commission is satisfied either that no further inquiry is required or that the required action has been initiated or taken by the concerned Government or authority, it may not proceed with the complaint and inform the complainant accordingly.