A discussion program on the human rights situation in Sindhupalchok and the role of INSEC was held in Chautara on November 8. The program was organized by the INSEC Central Office and coordinated by the Bagmati Province Office. The discussion program included the participation of Derwinski Nicol, Program Coordinator of Bread for the World, Bijay Raj Gautam, Executive Director of INSEC, Shiva Prasad Khakurel, INSEC Bagmati Province Coordinator, Krishna Prasad Nepal from the INSEC Central Office, INSEC Representative Nati Babu Dhital along with representatives of civil society in the district on various issues related to human rights.
Speaking at the program, Derwinski Nicol stated that reducing and preventing incidents of human rights violations cannot be achieved by INSEC’s efforts alone, emphasizing the need for support and collaboration from all representatives of civil society.
INSEC Executive Director Bijay Raj Gautam stated that INSEC has been advocating for human rights for the past 37 years and that this effort must continue. He emphasized that the protection of human rights can only be strengthened through the collaboration of all sectors and institutions.
INSEC Bagmati Province Coordinator Shiva Khakurel highlighted the significance of the discussion program and briefed the participants about the activities carried out by INSEC so far.
Speaking at the program, Bhupendra Thing, Chairperson of the District Nepal Bar Association stated that although Sindhupalchowk is close to the capital, it remains at risk from a human rights perspective. He noted that while food, shelter, and clothing are the first priorities in terms of human rights, these issues still persist among the district’s residents. Referring to the protests organized on September 8 and 9 in the capitals and other parts of Nepal, he cautioned that similar movements could emerge in rural areas as well, stressing the need for all stakeholders to remain alert. He further added that the Nepal Bar has always been cooperating with INSEC on human rights issues in the district.
Janakraj Giri, Chairperson of the District Federation of Community Forestry Users Nepal stated that the federation has always collaborated with INSEC in the campaign advocating that water, forests, and land are the rights of the people. He further noted that the upcoming elections scheduled for March 5 could be seriously affected by the weapons confiscated by the police during the Gen-Z protest on September 8 and 9, urging human rights activists to increase their monitoring efforts.
Laxmi Tamang, District Program Coordinator of Shakti Samuha, highlighted the effectiveness of INSEC Online, stating that it has helped protect the right to information. Coordinator Tamang also noted that Shakti Samuha and INSEC have been collaborating on all issues in the district. Sujata Karki, District Chief of Jiwan Biruddha Dubrasyani Sanstha, requested INSEC to conduct awareness programs in the area, as cases of family separation are reportedly high among families of HIV-positive individuals.
Tika Subedi, Secretary of the District Federation of Nepalese Journalists, stated that INSEC Sindhupalchowk has played an important role in delivering justice to citizens who have been denied it, emphasizing the need for continued collaboration between INSEC and the Federation in movements against corruption.
Madhusudan Sapkota, Program Coordinator of the Community Development and Environment Conservation Forum and Central Secretary of the Human Rights Alliance, highlighted the ongoing collaboration with INSEC and underlined the organization’s significant work in human rights monitoring, awareness, and advocacy. He also stressed that INSEC should place greater emphasis on human rights education.
Sujata Sapkota, a member of the District Network of Women Human Rights Defenders, stated that incidents of women being deceived through sham marriages and taken to China to work as domestic workers have emerged. She further emphasized that INSEC should also work to reduce such incidents.
Dipak Aryal, Vice Chairperson of the Federation of Nepalese Journalists, Sindhupalchowk stated that cases of violence against women and girls are prevalent in the district, and that women who go abroad for employment often face sexual violence and abuse, forcing them to return home with their children. He emphasized that INSEC should implement programs at the district level to prevent such abuses.
Kamal Charan Kakshapati, Minister of the Nepal Red Cross Society, Sindhupalchowk stated that INSEC is the only recognized human rights organization in the district and added that the Nepal Red Cross Society has always collaborated with INSEC representatives.
Bhawani Shrestha, Chairperson of the NGO Federation , Sindhupalchowk stated that INSEC has played a leading role in the protection of human rights in Sindhupalchowk since the armed conflict period. He suggested that INSEC should conduct awareness programs at the district level focusing on women and children. Chairperson Shrestha also noted that the Gen-Z protest has had a psychological impact on children.
Harigopal Shrestha, member of the Nepal Professors’ Association, Sindhupalchowk stated that INSEC has been leading all social organizations in the district. He noted that INSEC has been vigilant in every incident of human rights violations, and therefore, the Nepal Professors’ Association has maintained continuous collaboration with INSEC.
Khil Bahadur Shrestha, Program Coordinator of the Gatisheel Grahmin Uththan Samuha, stated that the general public perceives INSEC itself as synonymous with human rights. He highlighted that INSEC plays a significant role in protecting all rights, including social, cultural, political, and economic rights. He also urged INSEC to conduct awareness programs at the community level on issues concerning women and children.
Sasinath Acharya of Lalupate Public Service Committee stated that the nature of human rights violations in the district has changed in the current context. He noted that women are being trafficked under the pretext of foreign employment, and violence and abuses against women and children are increasingly common. He emphasized that INSEC has been effectively carrying out human rights monitoring and advocacy in the district.
There were participation of 17 civil society organizations in the district and the program was facilitated by INSEC representative Nati Babu Dhital.