An interaction program was organized by the Informal Sector Service Center (INSEC), Madhesh Province Office, on 1 September on, ‘the legislation and implementation of law in Madhesh Province’. At the program, Rajkumar Lekhi, Minister for Home, Communications, and Law of Madhesh Province, stated that it is necessary to amend laws to keep them up to date.
During the program, Minister Lekhi stated that although many laws have been enacted compared to other provinces, their implementation has not been satisfactory. He emphasized that laws passed by the Provincial Assembly require periodic intellectual discussion and deliberation. He also noted that they have been attentive to the issues raised at the interaction program and assured that the provincial government will take initiatives to ensure the protection of human rights defenders.
INSEC’s Executive Director, Bijayaraj Gautam, stated that INSEC has been advocating and debating since 2011 for the government to enact a separate law for the protection and security of human rights defenders working in the human rights sector. He further noted that, according to 2024 statistics, 163 human rights defenders were victims of violation, and seven lost their lives. Gautam emphasized the urgent need for a special law to protect human rights defenders, stating that the state must establish a legal framework to allow them to work in a safe and supportive environment. Executive Director Gautam submitted a draft bill on the protection and security of human rights defenders to Minister for Home, Communications, and Law, Rajkumar Lekhi.
During the program, Ram Ashish Yadav, Chief Spokesperson of JSP Nepal in the Madhesh Provincial Assembly, noted that laws are never perfect in themselves and must be amended over time. He also emphasized that the leadership’s political will is necessary for the effective implementation of enacted laws. He expressed his commitment to take initiative, noting that INSEC has repeatedly engaged in discussions with the provincial government regarding the protection and security of human rights defenders.
Buddhanarayani Sahani, Chief and Deputy Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission, Madhesh Province Office, stated that the implementation of laws related to Dalit empowerment, education, health, and children has been weak. She emphasized that a separate law is needed for the protection of human rights defenders and that the provincial government must take responsibility for it.
During the program, Bimal Prasad Baral, Provincial Secretary of the Ministry of Home, Communications, and Law, gave a presentation on the laws related to human rights enacted in the province and their implementation status.
Rajkumar Mahaseth, Madhesh Province Coordinator and Advocate of Advocacy Forum Nepal, presented the bill on the protection and security of human rights defenders prepared by INSEC, stating that since human rights defenders work on sensitive issues in society, it is necessary for the government to enact a separate law to ensure their protection.
Raju Paswan, Madhesh Province Coordinator of INSEC, INSEC he has repeatedly held discussions with all three Chief Ministers former Chief Minister Lalbabu Raut, former Chief Minister Saroj Kumar Yadav, and current Chief Minister Satish Kumar Singh regarding the enactment of a separate law for the protection and security of human rights defenders working in the human rights sector.
Participants of the program, including legal professionals, human rights defenders, and journalists, emphasized that the laws enacted by the provincial government must be effectively implemented. They also expressed the view that the provincial government should enact a separate law for the protection and security of human rights defenders.
The program was attended by Provincial Assembly members Chandan Kumar Singh, Kanchan Bichcha, Ramita Pradhan, Satneshwar Goyit, representatives from the Federation of Nepal Journalists, Nepal Bar Association, and security agencies, as well as chiefs and representatives of organizations active in the human rights sector and Journalism.
