Following an on-site monitoring of the human rights situation in several districts of Karnali Province, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has directed the Government of Nepal to take necessary corrective measures to ensure citizens’ fundamental rights.
A high-level NHRC team led by Chairperson Tap Bahadur Magar conducted monitoring visits and consultations with stakeholders in Surkhet, Dailekh, Jumla, Kalikot, and Mugu districts from June 7 to June 17. The team included NHRC Secretary Murari Prasad Kharel, Joint Secretary Samjhana Sharma, and other officials.
The Commission reported that some employees and office bearers of key state institutions lacked a clear understanding and perspective on human rights. It also concluded that harmful traditional practices and superstitions continue to place women and children at risk.
According to the NHRC, citizens in remote settlements have not received adequate information about their rights and available government services. Limited access to transportation services due to geographical remoteness and poor road infrastructure has adversely affected people’s daily lives.
The monitoring identified several challenges, including slow socio-economic transformation, unemployment, natural disasters, food insecurity, child marriage, polygamy, menstrual discrimination, school dropout among children, child labour, domestic violence, and incidents of rape.
The Commission further noted that many children lack access to nutritious food, while mental health problems have contributed to a rise in suicide cases. In some areas, the absence of adequate physical infrastructure has forced people to live under open skies, and difficulties in obtaining citizenship certificates persist. The NHRC also highlighted prison overcrowding and the failure to formulate policies that adequately reflect the region’s geographical realities.
The Commission concluded that women’s economic and social empowerment remains relatively weak and that women continue to bear a disproportionate share of labour. It also pointed out that shortages of infrastructure and human resources within law enforcement agencies have hindered effective service delivery.
To protect and promote human rights, the NHRC has directed the government to upgrade the Karnali Highway, ensure the availability of health workers and specialist doctors, and maintain adequate supplies of essential medicines and food.
Similarly, the Commission urged the government to create local employment opportunities to reduce the outmigration of youth to India and other countries for work, ensure easier access to public services and facilities, and provide sufficient personnel and infrastructure to law enforcement agencies.
The NHRC has also instructed the Government of Nepal to strengthen coordination among all three tiers of government and formulate and implement special policies and programmes tailored to the unique geographical conditions of Karnali Province.