About the Commission:
The Kerala State Human Rights Commission is a quasi-judicial body established on December 11, 1998, in accordance with subsection (1) of section 21 of the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993 (Central Act 10 of 1994).
This commission was created to exercise the powers and perform the functions designated to a State Commission under Chapter V of the Act.
It mandates the Commission to investigate complaints of human rights violations or negligence in the prevention of such violations by public servants, intervene in judicial proceedings with the court’s approval in cases involving allegations of human rights violations, and submit an annual report or any other special report based on the needs and urgency of the Commission (Section 29).
Nature of Internship:
The nature of work assigned to interns at the Kerala State Human Rights Commission is relatively light. Interns will typically be assigned a case file each day, with the primary task of reading and understanding the legal perspectives involved, as well as learning how the commission addresses cases of various natures.
In addition to case readings, interns may be tasked with assisting complainants in drafting their complaints, particularly for those who are not literate. Freshly registered complaints will be distributed among the interns, who are then asked to determine the commission’s course of action.
Additionally, interns will receive advice to enlighten them about the cases in which actions can and cannot be taken. Furthermore, interns will receive several lectures from dignitaries of the commission, including a Circle Inspector, a Section Officer, and others, providing valuable insights into the functioning of the commission
Eligibility:
Law students of any year in the 3-year or 5-year course can apply for an internship at the Kerala State Human Rights Commission. However, those pursuing a different course but with a strong passion for working with the commission can still apply.
For instance, during a previous internship, a student studying Social Management joined Kerala SHRC for their internship.
Regarding other factors, it is essential to understand and read Malayalam because most of the case files are in Malayalam.
This requirement won’t prevent you from obtaining an internship but can make the experience more challenging if you are not proficient in the language.
Number of Interns Required:
The commission accommodates as many interns as possible, with approximately 15-20 interns working together in one shift. Interns are given the option to choose between a morning shift or an afternoon shift.
Since the maximum duration for an internship at Kerala SHRC is 14 days, applicants can wait for one cycle of interns to complete their program to ensure their applications are accepted.
Location:
The Kerala State Human Rights Commission has its office located in the capital city of Kerala in Thiruvananthapuram, specifically at PMG Junction.
The internship program is conducted offline, requiring interns to be present in the office by 10:30 AM (morning shift) from Monday to Saturday.
Therefore, for the successful completion of this internship, individuals who do not reside in Thiruvananthapuram must arrange for suitable accommodation
Who can Apply?
- Law students
- Any graduate student learning a subject directly or indirectly connected to Human Rights
Stipend:
No stipend is provided for an intern joining this program
Duration of Internship:
The maximum duration for which one can intern at the Kerala State Human Rights Commission is 14 days.
Application Procedure:
Applicants can visit the official website of the Kerala SHRC to find the internship application form. This form needs to be printed, filled out by hand, and submitted to the Section Officer (SO).
Along with the application form, applicants must submit a bonafide certificate from their college, authorizing them to intern with the Kerala Human Rights Commission. The certificate should explicitly state that it is for an internship at Kerala SHRC.
Additionally, applicants must submit their college identity card to the SO as part of the application procedure. A passport-sized photo is also required, as the commission uses it to add the applicant’s details to the intern register, which is later referred to at the end of the internship to provide the interns with their certificate.
It is suggested that applicants send an email to the commission with their curriculum vitae and a scanned copy of the bonafide certificate attached before going directly to the office.
Internship Report:
Before the completion of the internship, every intern must submit a detailed report of their internship experience, including a record of daily events and activities.
The report should include summaries of the lectures received, as well as detailed descriptions of five cases they handled. Additionally, the report should contain summaries of the organizational structure and composition of the commission.
The report can be typed or handwritten. It is important to note that interns will not receive their certificates without submitting the internship report.
Contact Info:
- Address of the Office: Kerala State Human Rights Commission, Turbo Plus TOWER, PMG Junction, Thiruvananthapuram-33
- Office Number: 0471 2307263
- E-mail Address: hrckeralatvm@gmail.com