Explain the following statement with reasons: In 1993 Human Rights Protection Act was passed.

Answer: The statement is true.

• The United Nations adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948, and India, as a member, had to protect these rights.
• In spite of fundamental rights in the Constitution, cases of violation of human rights such as custodial torture, atrocities on weaker sections and exploitation of women and children were being reported.
• An independent body was needed to inquire into such complaints and recommend action.
• So the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993 was passed, and under it the National Human Rights Commission (12 October 1993) and State Human Rights Commissions were set up.