The pre-publication annual review program of human rights–related incidents collected for the Nepal Human Rights Year Book 2026 was held on December 16, 2025.
INSEC Humla representative Nand Singh presented 17 incidents collected between January 1,2025 and December 15, 2025 during the review program. The documented cases include three incidents related to threats, assault, and abuse violating the right to live with dignity, seven incidents of rape, attempted rape, and sexual abuse, one incident of caste-based discrimination, one incident of indecent behavior, one incident of arson, one incident related to economic and social rights; and three incidents of violence against women and domestic violence.
The chief guest of the program and Chairperson of Simkot Rural Municipality, Bijay Bhandari, highlighted the report prepared by INSEC and requested that if any other human rights-related incidents in Humla were omitted, they should also be collected.
He suggested that coordination with the judicial committees in the seven rural municipalities of Humla is necessary to document those incidents as well.
Prakash Bahadur Shahi, Vice-Chairperson of the CPN-UML District Committee, expressed a positive view of the incidents collected by INSEC and recommended including any incidents that were missed in the report. He particularly urged INSEC to investigate incidents of human rights violations that remain hidden in the villages. Vice-Chairperson Shahi advised INSEC to ensure that once an incident occurs, it is documented to prevent recurrence and that justice is accessible. He also emphasised that in cases where the accused were acquitted in the District Court, the rights of the victims must still be ensured.
Speaking at the program, Arjun Bohara, former President of the Journalists’ Association of Humla, highlighted that incidents related to economic, social, and cultural rights should also be included in the Nepal Human Rights Year Book. Similarly, Rajan Chand, Secretary of the District Bar Association, pointed out that the state often delays verdicts and engages in financial manipulation affecting both parties. He emphasised that human rights defenders play a key role in minimising such issues. According to Secretary Chand, INSEC should have the capacity to verify incidents independently, not relying solely on police confirmation.
The speakers present at the program stressed that victims of injustice from all sectors are obligated to seek justice by collaborating with human rights organisations in the district. Participants also suggested that INSEC should document issues such as problems caused by floods and landslides, the state of education in schools, and citizens’ limited access to healthcare.
