Human rights are the basic rights every person has simply by being human. In India, many of them are protected as Fundamental Rights in the Constitution.
Key fundamental rights
- Equality before law (Article 14) and no discrimination on grounds of religion, race, caste, sex or place of birth (Article 15).
- Freedoms of speech, assembly, movement and profession (Article 19).
- Right to life and personal liberty (Article 21) — which courts have read to include living with dignity, privacy, health and a clean environment.
- Protection against exploitation — no forced labour or trafficking (Article 23) and no hazardous child labour (Article 24).
- Right to constitutional remedies (Article 32) — you can approach the Supreme Court when your fundamental rights are violated.
Where to complain
Under the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and the State Human Rights Commissions inquire into violations — for example, custodial violence or a public servant’s negligence. Complaints can be filed online at hrcnet.nic.in, by post or in person, without any fee.
Our human rights awareness programmes
The Trust runs human rights awareness programmes in schools, colleges and communities so that every citizen knows their rights — and their duties.