Aizawl: Mizoram is making significant strides toward setting up its State Human Rights Commission (SHRC), Home Minister K Sapdanga informed the assembly. The long-awaited commission, which faced years of delays, has gained momentum following a directive from the Gauhati High Court’s Aizawl bench.
The state government took a decisive step on October 11, 2024, by issuing a notification announcing the creation of multiple posts for the commission. This included forming a search committee in November 2024 to recommend candidates for the chairperson and other key positions. Additionally, efforts are underway to secure a dedicated building and create a separate financial head of account to ensure the smooth functioning of the rights panel, Sapdanga stated.
The urgency to establish the SHRC intensified after the Gauhati High Court’s Aizawl bench issued a final warning on September 6, 2024. The court set a two-month deadline for the Mizoram government to constitute the commission, warning of contempt proceedings if it failed to comply. Responding to this, the government officially announced the establishment of the commission in October 2024.
During a court hearing on November 27, 2024, government advocate H. Lalmalsawmi informed a division bench comprising Justice Nelson Sailo and Justice Marli Vankung that the government had fulfilled its obligation under the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993. The SHRC headquarters were officially designated in Aizawl, and 16 positions were created, including those for the chairperson and two members.
Recognizing these developments, the division bench directed the state government to take further steps to appoint suitable individuals for the key roles in the commission. With the legal framework now in place, Mizoram appears poised to finally establish its own human rights commission, marking a significant milestone in protecting and promoting human rights in the state.