How far has been the National Human Rights Commission successful in achieving its objectives ? Comment. (Answer in 150 words)

- How far has been the National Human Rights Commission successful in achieving its objectives ? Comment. (Answer in 150 words)
Introduction
The National Human Rights Commission has been an effective investigator and an ineffective enforcer. Against the objectives of the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993, its record is authority without power.

Body

1. Real achievements: It has disposed of over twenty lakh complaints, mandated reporting of custodial deaths within twenty-four hours, intervened in the Punjab mass cremations case and moved the Supreme Court after Gujarat.
2. Structural weakness: Section 18 makes its findings recommendatory only: it cannot enforce, punish or grant relief, and depends on governments choosing to comply.
3. The armed forces exclusion: Section 19 permits it only to seek a report from the Central Government on armed forces complaints, a bar operating where violations concentrate.
4. Institutional constraints: A one-year limitation under Section 36, no independent investigating machinery, reliance on the police it must investigate, and chronic vacancies. Its international accreditation has been deferred over these defects.

Conclusion
It has changed the vocabulary of Indian governance without changing its incentives. Amending Sections 18, 19 and 36 and creating an independent investigative cadre is the minimum.