The Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993 was enacted to protect human rights in India by establishing human rights commissions and courts. The act's key provisions include:
Human rights definition
The act defines human rights as the rights to life, liberty, equality, and dignity that are guaranteed by the constitution or international covenants.
Human rights commissions
The act established the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and State Human Rights Commissions (SHRCs).
Human rights courts
The act established human rights courts.
Discrimination
The act outlawed discrimination on the basis of sex, marital status, and religious belief.
The act came into effect on January 8, 1994, but was deemed to have come into force on September 28, 1993. It applies to the whole of India, except in Jammu and Kashmir, where it only applies to matters pertaining to the Union List and the Concurrent List.