On 14 July and 12 August 2025, the SCA Secretariat received information from former members of NHRC alleging lack of due process and political interference in the dismissal of five out of six members of the NHRC through a letter from the Secretary of the Presidency on 13 June 2025. The information noted that the dismissal took effect without stating any reason and in the absence of disciplinary hearing, as required by Sections 3(9) and 3(10) of the law, occurring six weeks after the resignation of NHRC’s Chairperson. The information has been shared with the NHRC for response. On 15th September, the NHRC’s response cited legal provisions allowing dismissal but did not confirm that due rocess was followed, raising concerns about arbitrary removal and lack of safeguards for tenure stability.

Further, a third-party submission received by the Secretariat on 29 August 2025, highlighted political interference in the appointment of the members of the NHRC. The third-party indicated that pursuant to Section 5(1) of the NHRC’s Act, the Secretary to the Cabinet is responsible for appointing the Secretary General of the NHRC and for providing administrative and other staff, who are largely drawn from senior civil servants.

In its response, the NHRC refuted any political interference and indicated that the Secretary to the Cabinet usually appoints senior civil servants to various Commissions, and they are answerable to the heads of their respective institutions. While acknowledging the response of the NHRC, the institution did not provide legal measures to prevent influence from the Executive.

On the secondment of police officers as investigators, the NHRC indicated that it has always considered police officers to be more apt to search and summon witnesses within the purview of its quasi-judicial operations while hearings are conducted by members. While noting this response, the SCA is of the view that the NHRC did not provide sufficient safeguards on its ability to conduct impartial investigations as well as measures to ensure the ability of victims to access human rights justice given the secondment of police officers to act as investigative staff.

The SCA is of the view that third-party submissions and publicly available information raise concerns about the continued compliance of the NHRC with the Paris Principles, including on the security of tenure of members as well as the perceived independence of the institution. In view of the information before it, the SCA decides to initiate a Special Review in accordance with Article 16.2 of the GANHRI Statute in order to determine the NHRC ongoing compliance with the Paris Principles.