The National Human Rights Commission has requested the police team for an effective investigation of rape and sexual violence cases.
The Commission published a press release on January 8, 2023, stating that the Commission was responsive to the recent initiative of the Ministry of Home Affairs to re-investigate Nirmala Pant’s incident, a 13-year-old girl from Kanchanpur who was raped and killed.
In the context of increasing cases of rape and sexual violence, the Commission has written to the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers with 3 points to ensure access to justice for the victims.
It included the suggestion by a team of experts appointed by the National Human Rights Commission regarding the incident of Nirmala Pant. It suggested the Police conclude the case by taking into account the recommendations and instructions given by the Commission on Jan 27, 2019, to the Government of Nepal, the Office of the Prime Minister, and the Council of Ministers.”
There has been an increase in cases of rape and sexual violence in Nepal for the past few years. Last year 2 thousand 380 women and girls were victims of rape. The Commission has not identified most of the culprits of these incidents and has not been able to take immediate action. The Commission has requested to speed up the investigation and prosecution process to deal with rape and sexual violence and to quickly establish a resourceful and effective forensic science laboratory with skilled human resources in the provincial hospitals of all seven provinces.
It is mentioned in the statement issued by Dr. Tikaram Pokharel, Joint Secretary and Spokesperson of the Commission, that the Commission has requested to address the complaints of violence against women and sexual minorities immediately.