The National Human Rights Commission of Nepal stated that it had sent a brief report to the Government of Nepal on May 11, regarding the government’s removal of houses and huts belonging to landless squatters who had been living for years on public land along various riverbanks in the Kathmandu Valley.
According to a press release issued on May 11, the Commission had conducted monitoring on different dates regarding the impact on the economic, social, and cultural rights, along with other human rights, of the residents of those areas. The Commission stated that it had submitted a brief report containing findings and recommendations obtained through the monitoring process.
In the report, the Commission urged authorities to regularly provide nutritious food and medicines to pregnant women, new mothers, children, senior citizens, persons with disabilities, and people suffering from chronic illnesses.
Recommendations were also made to address gender-sensitive issues, provide psychosocial counselling services to people kept in holding centres, and ensure quality education for children.
Similarly, the Commission recommended arranging employment opportunities for displaced people, preparing an accurate record of landless squatters living along riverbanks and on government land, ensuring their long-term rehabilitation, and relocating structures of cultural importance.
The press release issued by Commission Spokesperson and Joint Secretary Dr. Tikaram Pokharel mentioned that the report includes nine recommendations, including identifying genuine landless squatters and immediately ensuring proper housing management for them.