Nowadays, ensuring that each person enjoys dignity and liberty is not only a national issue but also affects the entire world. Everyone’s rights and freedoms, regardless of their nationality, race, gender, or religion, are identified and protected by International Human Rights Law. Because India is a democratic and diverse society, it has strived to ensure its domestic laws match the rules set by United Nations conventions. This article examines how India follows Human Rights Law in the world and what it has done regarding the human bill of rights.

What is International Human Rights Law?

International Human Rights Law consists of rules made by countries to defend the dignity and rights of people throughout the world. These rules are mostly established in big international documents, for example:

• The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which was adopted in 1948
• The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), which was adopted in 1966
• The International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR), which came into force in 1966

All these sheets are joined as the International Bill of Rights, which some refer to as the human bill of rights, and supports legal human rights globally.

India’s Constitutional Commitment to Human Rights Law

Fundamental rights inspired by international norms were first added to India’s Constitution when it was adopted in 1950. Many parts of International Human Rights Law can be seen in the Fundamental Rights (Articles 12–35) and Directive Principles of State Policy (Articles 36–51).

For example:

• Article 14: Equality before the law (mirrors Article 7 of UDHR)
• Article 21: Right to life and personal liberty (aligned with ICCPR)
• Article 25–28: Freedom of religion (parallels UDHR and ICCPR)
  

This illustrates how greatly Human Rights Law is incorporated into India’s laws.

India and the United Nations Human Rights Framework

India played a role in forming the United Nations (UN) and continues to support the global movement for human rights. It has committed to and signed important International Human Rights Law texts, for example:

• The ICCPR was ratified by member states in 1979.
• ICESCR came into force after being ratified in 1979.
• The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) came into effect after it was ratified in 1993.
• The Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) was accepted and acknowledged in 1992.
• In 2007, the United Nations approved the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD).

When India ratified these treaties, it willingly agreed to respect the human bill of rights and make sure its laws and policies do the same.

Domestic Implementation of Legal Human Rights

In India, international treaties have to be enforced by domestic laws if they are to be legitimate. Here is how India has implemented significant conventions.

ICCPR & ICESCR:

Quite a few civil and political rights defined in the ICCPR are already recognized as India’s Fundamental Rights.

• Freedom of speech and expression
• The right to come together peacefully
• The right to receive justice in a fair trial

The same can be said of ICESCR rights such as education, health, and work, which are also mentioned in the Directive Principles and different welfare schemes.

CEDAW:

India introduced the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act (2005) and the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace Act (2013) that reflect the aims of CEDAW.

CRC:

The Juvenile Justice Act, 2015, and the Right to Education Act, 2009, ensure that children receive the rights included in the human bill of rights and the CRC.

CRPD:

India enacted the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, to reflect its commitment to meeting international law for persons with disabilities under the CRPD.

Role of the Judiciary in Enforcing Human Rights Law

The Supreme Court in India defines International Human Rights Law and ensures its enforcement. By passing different judgments, the courts have enlarged Article 21 (Right to Life) to protect people in various ways.

• The right to privacy
• Belonging to a clean environment
• The right to a home
• A person’s right to receive educational opportunities.

In the Vishaka vs State of Rajasthan case, the Supreme Court used CEDAW guidelines to create state-level guidelines on workplace sexual harassment in 1997, before the law was enacted. It proves that Human Rights Law influences judgements made by courts despite lacking formal statutes.

Challenges in Implementation

Even with the protection of the constitution and numerous treaties, India has difficulty following the full International Human Rights Law.

• Overburdened judiciary: Delayed decisions by the judiciary make it hard to implement people’s rights.
• Gender-based violence: There are laws against such crimes, but reports of them are still very frequent.
• Custodial deaths & police brutality: Many human rights organizations have raised issues about custodial deaths and police violence.
• Freedom of expression: People debate that sedition laws and IT rules are reducing freedom of expression.

These challenges remind us that there is a difference between law and practice, which means we should keep reforming laws and having strong institutions for human rights.

India’s Engagement with UN Human Rights Mechanisms

The UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) includes India in the Universal Periodic Review it carries out. On a regular basis, it sends national reports and answers suggestions made by other countries.

In addition, India focuses on:

• Senior advisors to the UN
• Committee for Preventing Women’s Discrimination
• Keeping the UN’s Committee on the Rights of the Child in mind, suppose you were one of its members.

The country demonstrates that it wants to abide by the principles of Human Rights Law around the world.

National Human Rights Institutions

The government of India has set up many bodies to monitor and protect legal human rights.

• Since 1993, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has investigated violations of people’s rights.
• The government has set up the National Commission for Women (NCW) to support and uphold women’s rights.
• The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights
• There are State Human Rights Commissions in each state in India.

They ensure their country follows International Human Rights Law.

Recent Developments (2024–2025)

Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023

This act defines protecting people’s private information as a key aspect of Human Rights, as recognized in the Puttaswamy case in 2017 (India).

Decriminalization of Adultery and Homosexuality

Judgments made by the Supreme Court in Joseph Shine unite several laws and form a conclusion. Union of India (2018) and Navtej Singh Johar were two cases. The Union of India (2018) follows modern ways of thinking about the human bill of rights.

Transgender Rights

By introducing the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019, India fulfills its duties set by the United Nations’ human rights system.

Conclusion

India’s Constitution, laws, active courts, and international involvement recognize the principles of International Human Rights Law. Although many countries have advanced in incorporating the human bill of rights into their laws, they must improve enforcement, raise public awareness, and hold offenders accountable.

India is still an important part of the worldwide discussion on Human Rights Law. Because justice, equality, and liberty form the foundation of the country’s legal system, the nation continues its journey to achieve all legal human rights, and the outlook remains hopeful.