An interaction program on business and human rights was held on June 27, 2025, organized by the Informal Sector Service Centre (INSEC) in collaboration with DCA and with the participation of a network of NGOs working on business and human rights. Speaking at the event, INSEC Executive Director Bijaya Raj Gautam recalled efforts to draw the attention of stakeholders, noting that a consumer court was recently established in Nepal and highlighting the need to raise consumer awareness and hold businesses accountable.
He highlighted that there have been various achievements related to the rights of human rights defenders. INSEC has been supporting Nepal’s human rights movement through awareness programs, publications, and broadcasts, and has now started a new podcast initiative. He said that with the successful and effective implementation of the national plan, people would be able to easily receive remedies and compensation through judicial and other mechanisms when their human rights are violated. Additionally, Executive Director Gautam pointed out the need for policy coordination between the government and the private sector on matters related to business and human rights.
Deputy Secretary Yagya Prasad Adhikari of the National Human Rights Commission said that in 2008 the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative John Ruggie introduced the concept of business and human rights to ensure respect, protection, and remedy for the human rights of individuals affected by business activities. He said that a national action plan has been developed to implement the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. He added that in 2011, the UN Human Rights Council introduced the three-pillar framework. This framework outlines the state’s duty to protect human rights, the responsibility of the business sector to respect human rights, and also ensures access to both judicial and non-judicial remedies. Deputy Secretary Adhikari shared this information during his presentation.
Deputy Secretary Adhikari explained that the framework includes existing constitutional and legal provisions, topics including long-term and periodic plans, human rights treaties Nepal has ratified, ILO conventions, national and sectoral government policies, issues addressed in the Fifth National Human Rights Action Plan, the Sustainable Development Goals, and efforts related to Nepal’s graduation from the least developed countries group. Similarly, the framework also includes topics related to the right to development, laborers’ rights, consumer rights, the rights of women and children, the rights of migrant workers, environmental and indigenous peoples’ rights, gender equality, rights against caste-based discrimination, and the rights of LGBTQ communities.
At the program, Dipendra Bahadur Singh of the National Human Rights Commission said that raising awareness on business and human rights at the local level will make working easier. He stated that the Commission will work within the framework of the action plan. While acknowledging that many human rights issues remain unaddressed, he noted that the plan includes a wide range of these issues.
At the program, INSEC’s Information Officer Krishna Gautam stated that more than 60 countries worldwide have adopted the concept of responsible business and implemented national action plans related to business and human rights. He recalled that in 2003, the United Kingdom was the first to formulate a national action plan on business and human rights. Following that, countries such as the United States, France, Japan, Thailand, and Kenya have also developed and implemented their national action plans on business and human rights. Additionally, the Government of Nepal has also prepared a draft national action plan on business and human rights.
At the program, youth rights activists such as Diwas Saraf, Nabin Giri, Sanjay Panthi, and Shrikanta Majhi emphasized the need for awareness to focus on human rights as well as the promotion of good governance in industries.
Dipak Prasad Ghimire