The National Human Rights Commission has approached UGC-approved universities and research institutions, funded by the Centre, for undertaking research projects in several subjects, including sexual harassment of women at workplaces, issues concerning LGBTs and threats and opportunities for effective functioning of HR defenders at the grassroot level.

Chennai:

The National Human Rights Commission sources said the commission has already invited expression of interest from reputed institutions and universities for undertaking research studies and  projects. 

Accordingly, the proposed subjects for research include sexual harassment of women at the workplace (both private and government institutions) and an empirical research on victim compensation schemes and rehabilitation of the victims in the Indian perspective. 

In addition, an empirical research study to check the penetration and awareness about the National Human Rights Commission in the society and suggest measures to raise human rights awareness at the grassroot level has been also proposed. 

Similarly, other subjects that could be taken as research are empirical study on the status of undertrial prisoners in the jails with focus on their health, growing number of suicides in the prisons. 

The universities should also undertake study on four to five states (covering central/ district prisons) to ascertain how the prisoners who are released after completion of their sentences have fared and re-integrated in the society and trends and patterns of deaths in prisons and in  police custody. 

Detailed research on business and human rights, including practices in select companies listed on the stock exchange, research on issues concerning lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgenders and the role, responsibility, challenges, threats and opportunities for effective functioning of HR defenders at the grassroot level have also been proposed.