The Puerto Rico Commission on Civil Rights (Spanish: Comisión de Derechos Civiles de Puerto Rico) is an official entity within the Legislative Assembly of the government of Puerto Rico, charged with investigating violations of citizens' civil rights. Its five members are appointed by the Governor of Puerto Rico, subject to the advice and consent of the Senate of Puerto Rico. Created in 1965 under Governor Roberto Sánchez Vilella, it was originally an independent agency under the Puerto Rico Department of Justice. In 1996, during former governor Pedro Rosselló's administration, it was made a part of the Legislative Branch.
It is empowered to educate citizens about their civil rights, investigate alleged civil rights violations, and carry out studies and investigations. The 1996 amendments to its organic law also empowers it to appear as amicus curiae in court cases that it deems may have an important effect on civil rights in Puerto Rico.
It also annually selects the recipients of the Thurgood Marshall Award, an initiative of current Senate President Kenneth McClintock, which recognizes the commitment to civil rights of one law student from each of Puerto Rico's four law schools.
Many prominent Puerto Ricans have served over the years as members of the Commission, including former Sen. Luis Muñoz Rivera (senator), newspaper publisher Antonio Luis Ferré and former Resident Commissioner Baltasar Corrada del Río.
Its current members, appointed to a six-year term, include its Chair, Dr. Palmira N. Ríos González, attorneys Héctor Pérez, José Irizarry Yordán and René Pinto Lugo and Dr. Nelson Colón Tarrats.
In spite of complaints that it is chronically underfunded, the Puerto Rico Civil Rights Commission has had a significant influence in Puerto Rico's government operations.
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