The Nepal Human Rights Year Book 2026, published by Informal Sector Service Centre (INSEC), was released on February 19, 2026, by Dr. Gauri Shankar Lal Das, former member of the National Human Rights Commission and Human Rights Centenary Personality.
Dr. Das, the Human Rights Centenary Personality, stated that the Nepal Human Rights Year Book serves as both a mirror and a reflection of the human rights situation in the country. He emphasized that the protection of human rights is not only a legal obligation but also a moral responsibility.
He noted that due to political instability in Nepal, ensuring citizens’ security, access to justice, and equal opportunities remains the very soul of democracy. Recalling incidents such as the obstruction of the measles vaccination campaign by the then Maoists during the decade-long armed conflict and the issue of Bhutanese refugees, he stressed that only through collective commitment to respecting human rights, strengthening the rule of law, ending impunity, and carrying out institutional reforms can an equitable, just, and democratic Nepal be built.
Sushil Pyakurel, former member of the National Human Rights Commission and founding Chairperson of INSEC, recalled that the concept of the Nepal Human Rights Year Book was envisioned by INSEC’s then General Secretary, Prakash Raj Kafle.
He stated that while the political change of 1951. marked the success of a revolution, the counter-revolutionary forces led to the loss of democracy in 1961. He cited this historical example to highlight how cycles of revolution and counter-revolution have hindered the development of political stability in Nepal.
He emphasized that, alongside the need for institutional development and political stability following the changes in Nepal, humanity itself remains the most important issue for the world.
INSEC’s Founding Chairperson Pyakurel noted that while technological advancement has posed new challenges to the state of human rights globally, the Nepal Human Rights Year Book, systematically documenting and analyzing incidents for more than three decades, has established itself as a credible source on the human rights situation in Nepal.
Former Ambassador and political analyst Dr. Shambhu Ram Simkhada shared that when he was posted as Nepal’s ambassador to Geneva, it would sometimes take weeks for the state to verify and respond to inquiries regarding incidents of human rights violations and abuses in Nepal’s Far-Western region. However, he observed that INSEC was often able to provide accurate, factual, and impartial information on such incidents within 24 hours, an efficiency that has been recognized and valued by the international community.
He recalled that the Nepal Human Rights Year Book has consistently focused on state responsibility and accountability, and expressed that it was significant that the Year Book was made public on February 18, the day in 1951, when the autocratic Rana regime ended and a system of governance by the people was established in Nepal.
Analyst Simkhada argued that when there is a gap between political thought and action, and as new technologies rapidly develop worldwide, the human rights situation becomes increasingly vulnerable and may even move beyond the effective control of the state.
He further noted that although Nepal’s Constitution and laws contain commitments to human rights, citizens have often been unable to fully enjoy these rights due to the state’s weak capacity. He pointed out a paradox in which human thinking remains stone-age, technology has become ultra-modern, and laws appear medieval, underscoring the urgent need to raise public awareness about what is permissible and what is not.
INSEC’s Immediate Past Chairperson and Associate Professor at Tribhuvan University, Dr. Kundan Aryal, stated that the human rights situation in Nepal has reached a state of stagnation.
He informed that the United Nations has stated that the growing attacks occurring through digital platforms, social media, and electronic media in Nepal, and the protests surrounding issues such as the requirement for digital platforms to be registered in Nepal, have brought the country to a new turning point. He stressed that these developments should be understood from the perspective of business and human rights.
He emphasized that digital platforms are not only a concern for Nepal but a global issue. Therefore, he underlined the need for a regulatory body to ensure that both the government and major digital platforms act clearly and responsibly so that citizens are not subjected to abuses. He further stressed that solutions should be guided by independent experts.
Shyam Kumari Sah, Chairperson of the National Network of Women Human Rights Defenders, drew the state’s attention to Nepal’s human rights situation, referring particularly to police conduct during the incidents of September 8 and 9, as well as the rising cases of sexual violence against women in the country.
He highlighted the need for human rights defenders to unite to reduce violence against women, noting both women’s contributions to Nepal’s social transformation and the persistent exclusion of women from decision-making roles, as well as the violence women face simply for not bringing a dowry at birth.
At the program, INSEC Chairperson Bijay Raj Gautam reported that this year, 11,538 people were victims of human rights violations and abuses. He noted that last year, the number of victims was 10,734, highlighting an increase of 804 victims compared to the previous year.
