The National Human Rights Commission has drawn the government’s attention to the need for approving and implementing the draft of the ILO Convention 169 national action plan. Nepal endorsed the ILO Convention on September 14, 2007.

In a statement on Monday, the NHRC said the protection of indigenous people’s rights had been ineffective due to the government’s failure to approve the action plan even after a decade of endorsing the convention.

The constitutional rights body had drawn the government’s attention to amending the laws in line with the convention to ensure the rights of the indigenous people.

The NHRC organised a discussion on ‘Draft of ILO Convention 169 Implementation National Action Plan’ at its central office in the Capital on Monday, on the occasion of the 22nd International Day of the Indigenous People.

At the programme, Commissioner Mohna Ansari said the NHRC has been holding a debate on the issues of indigenous people and the programme was part of evaluating how domestic laws reflect the government’s commitment to human rights.

On the occasion, NHRC Chairman Anup Raj Sharma said it was sad that the draft action plan was shelved after it reached the Cabinet even though some aspects of it have been implemented.