National
Govt won’t tolerate rights violation: PM
On its 16th anniversary celebration on Thursday, the National Human Rights Commission received the government’s support and commitment to human rights.Dewan Rai
On its 16th anniversary celebration on Thursday, the National Human Rights Commission received the government’s support and commitment to human rights.
“The government will not tolerate rights violation,” said Prime Minister KP Oli, in his address to a gathering of national and international dignitaries. “I have been advocating human rights three times the age of the commission itself.”
In 16 years, the NHRC has investigated over 1,000 incidents of rights violations and recommended action. The government has implemented only 10 percent of the recommendations, mostly related to compensation for the victims.
The commission recently formed a taskforce to push for the implementation of its recommendations. According to the commission, the team has been looking into the cases to re-send them to the government for action.
“The government has completely failed to establish criminal accountability in any case of rights violation,” said Advocate Govinda Bandi.
Nepal has ratified 24 international conventions. In periodic review sessions at the UN Human Rights Council, the government has been accepting suggestions from member states. However, the government has a poor record of keeping its promises.
In April, PM Oli summoned NHRC Chairman Anup Raj Sharma, along with other commissioners, to question them about the statement delivered by Commissioner Mohna Ansari during the Universal Periodic Review in Geneva in March. The statement had highlighted the discriminatory citizenship provisions in the new constitution and excessive use of force during protests in the Tarai.
The government was widely criticised for summoning the constitutional body to clarify on its statement at the UN, which portrayed the government as one against upholding human rights.
Instead of amending the laws in line with the Supreme Court order, the major coalition partners have signed a nine-point agreement to withdraw war-era cases and grant amnesty to perpetrators of insurgency-era crimes.
The International community in Kathmandu on Wednesday issued a joint statement, expressing concerns over the political agreement, particularly regarding the issues of transitional justice process.
Chairman Sharma urged the government to pay heed to the NHRC recommendations, court orders and its commitment to the international community.