The training program on Local Governance and Human Rights was held on June 9, jointly organized by Ghyanglekh Rural Municipality, Sindhuli, and INSEC Bagmati Province Office, in collaboration with the National Human Rights Commission and in coordination with Swadhin Khabar newspaper.
Inaugurating the program, the Chief Administrative Officer of the Rural Municipality, Dataram Pyakurel, stated that hosting an important human rights program at the local level is a positive achievement. He informed that the municipality has been prioritizing human rights, good governance, and social inclusion through various programs.
He further stated that initiatives such as the empowerment of women, children, Dalits, senior citizens, and persons with disabilities, legal awareness, social audits, child rights protection, digital governance, the guarantee of the right to information, and capacity development of the judicial committee are being implemented.
The Assistant Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission, Yagya Prasad Adhikari, emphasized that local governments should give high priority to human rights and effectively implement programs included in the National Human Rights Action Plan.
Police Inspector Kiran Thapa Magar stated that human rights are inherent rights of every individual by birth and reaffirmed that Nepal Police remains committed to protecting rights guaranteed by the Constitution and laws.
INSEC Bagmati Province Coordinator Shiva Prasad Khakurel noted that the primary responsibility for human rights protection lies with the state, and therefore, all three tiers of government must remain accountable and responsible. He further stressed the need to adopt a human rights–based approach in every stage of development planning and implementation.
Human Rights Officer Krishna Prasad Mishra from the National Human Rights Commission, Bagmati Province Office, Hetauda, informed that the Constitution mandates the Commission to monitor and investigate human rights situations and make recommendations to the government. He added that local judicial committees play a crucial role in resolving local disputes and incidents, and their effectiveness should be further strengthened.
Human Rights Defender Network, Bagmati Province member Rudra Bahadur Khadka emphasized the need to conduct human rights training programs to extend human rights-related issues to the grassroots level and enhance public awareness. He also highlighted that local governments should pay special attention to raising the voices of voiceless communities through information and communication channels.
Speaking on behalf of the participants, Principal of Netra Kali Secondary School, Madhusudan Sapkota, stated that a shared commitment from all stakeholders is essential for the protection and promotion of human rights. He further expressed that duties should be emphasized equally alongside rights.
Participant teacher Kamala Dhakal stressed the need to integrate human rights education into both curriculum and practice from the school level, and urged special attention to marginalized and disadvantaged communities.
In the program, Assistant Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission, Yagya Prasad Adhikari, facilitated sessions on human rights and the right to education. INSEC Bagmati Province Coordinator Shiva Prasad Khakurel facilitated discussions on local governance, human rights, and human rights–based development approaches, while Human Rights Officer Krishna Prasad Mishra facilitated a session on human rights and the role of local judicial committees.