The Maharashtra State Human Rights Commission (MSHRC) was established on 15.01.2000, Vide Government Resolution No.HRC 1099/378/Pol No.14 Under Section 21(1) of Protection of Human Rights Acts, 1993.

The MSHRC promotes respect for human rights. It uses education, information and publicity to promote, protect and enforce human rights.

Section 2(1) (d) of the Protection Of Human Rights Act defines Human Rights as the rights relating to life, liberty, equality and dignity of the individual guaranteed by the Constitution or embodied in the International Covenants and enforceable by courts in India.

The State Human Rights Commission is a statutory autonomous body that administers the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993. The Act is intended to help ensure that all people in India are treated fairly.

Key Functions:

• To inquire, suo motu or on a petition presented to it by a victim or any person on his behalf, into complaint of violation of human rights or abetment thereof; or negligence in the prevention of such violation, by a public servant.
• To intervene in any proceeding involving any allegation of violation of human rights pending before a court with the approval of such court.
• To visit, under intimation to the State Government, any jail or any other institution under the control of the State Government, where persons are detained or lodged for purposes of treatment, reformation or protection to study the living conditions of the inmates and make recommendations thereon.
• To review the safeguards provided by or under the Constitution or any law for the time being in force for the protection of human rights and recommend measures for their effective implementation.
• To review the factors, including acts of terrorism that inhibit the enjoyment of human rights and recommend appropriate remedial measures.
• To undertake and promote research in the field of human rights.
• To spread human rights literacy among various sections of society and promote awareness of the safeguards available for the protection of these rights through publications, the media, seminars and other available means.
• To encourage the efforts of non-governmental organisations and institutions working in the field of human rights.
• Such other functions as it may consider necessary for the promotion of human rights.