National Commission For Protection Of Child Rights (NCPCR)

Introduction

• The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR), 2005 emphasizes the principle of universality and inviolability of child rights and recognizes the tone of urgency in all the child-related policies of the country.
• For the Commission, the protection of all children in the 0 to 18 years age group is of equal importance.
• For the Commission, every right the child enjoys is seen as mutually reinforcing and interdependent.
• Therefore the issue of gradation of rights does not arise.
• A child enjoying all her rights at her 18th year is dependent on access to all her entitlements from the time she is born.
• Thus policies interventions assume significance at all stages.
• For the Commission, all the rights of children are of equal importance.

About National Commission For Protection Of Child Rights

• NCPCR is a Statutory Body. NCPCR has given the definition of child to be less than 18 years. NCPCR can take up suo-motu cases.
• Mandate: To ensure that all Laws, Policies, Programmes, and Administrative Mechanisms are in consonance with the Child Rights given in the Constitution and UN Convention on Rights of Child.
• NCPCR had asked to form special cells in schools to solve the problems of children. The cell will examine the mental & physical torture against children. Complaints regarding sexual harassment, mental harassment, favouritism etc. should be informed to the Taluk/District Legal Services Authority within 48 hours.
• It is the nodal body for Right to Education, Child abuse, and POCSO (Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses Act).

Functions and Powers of National Commission For Protection Of Child Rights

The Commission shall perform all or any of the following functions, namely:

• Examine and review the safeguards provided by or under any law for the time being in force for the protection of child rights and recommend measures for their effective implementation.
• Present to be central government, annually and at such other intervals, as the commission may deem fit, reports upon working of those safeguards;
• Inquire into violation of child rights and recommend initiation of proceedings in such cases;
• Examine all factors that inhibit the enjoyment of rights of children affected by terrorism, communal violence, riots, natural disaster, domestic violence, HIV/AIDS, trafficking, maltreatment, torture and exploitation, pornography, and prostitution and recommend appropriate remedial measures;
• Look into matters relating to children in need of special care and protection, including children in distress, marginalized and disadvantaged children, children in conflict with the law, juveniles, children without family, and children of prisoners, and recommend appropriate remedial measures.
• Study treaties and other international instruments and undertake periodic reviews of existing policies, programs, and other activities on child rights and make recommendations for their effective implementation in the best interest of children.
• Undertake and promote research in the field of child rights.
• Spread child rights literacy among various sections of society and promote awareness of the safeguards available for the protection of these rights through publications, media, seminars, and other available means.
• Inspect or cause to be inspected any juvenile custodial home or any other place of residence or institution meant for children, under the control of the Central Government or any State Government or any other authority including any institution run by a social organization, where children are detained or lodged for the purpose of treatment, reformation or protection and take up with these authorities for remedial action if found necessary.
• Inquire into complaints and take suo moto notice of matters related to:
• Deprivation and violation of child rights.
• Non-implementation of laws providing for protection and development of children.
• Non-compliance of policy decisions, guidelines, or instructions aimed at mitigating hardships to and ensuring the welfare of the children and to provide relief to such children or take up the issues arising out of such matters with appropriate authorities
• Such other functions as it may consider necessary for the promotion of child rights and any other matter incidental to the above functions.

Main Recommendations of National Commission For Protection Of Child Rights NCPCR:

1. Seminars should be conducted for teachers to improve their teaching styles.
2. The dignity of a student should be accepted by everyone.
3. Drug addiction, copying, violence, etc. should be curtailed.
4. State Commissions of Protection of Child Rights should be established.