The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has strongly condemned the incident involving the beating and ill-treatment of journalist Manohar Pokharel, who is also the Saptari district representative of INSEC (Informal Sector Service Centre). The incident occurred on July 31 at the District Police Office in Saptari. In an official statement released on August 15 by NHRC’s spokesperson, Tikaram Pokharel, the commission expressed serious concerns about the incident and called for legal action against those responsible for the assault.
The incident has prompted protests by journalists in Saptari, who have been advocating for justice and accountability in relation to the mistreatment of Manohar Pokharel, a human rights defender and journalist.
The statement referred to various guidelines and declarations related to the protection of human rights defenders, including the Guide for Human Rights Defenders issued by NHRC in 2012, the Order on the Protection and Protection of Human Rights Workers issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs in 2020, and the United Nations Declaration on Human Rights Defenders from 1998. These documents emphasize the importance of providing a safe and secure environment for human rights defenders to carry out their work, and the responsibility of state agencies to prevent harm and ensure accountability.
The NHRC called on the government of Nepal to conduct a thorough and fair investigation into the incident involving Manohar Pokharel, and to take appropriate legal measures against those found responsible. The commission stressed the need for human rights defenders to be able to work without fear of violence or intimidation and urged the government to ensure their safety and protection.