Home Minister Om Prakash Aryal urged all parties to remain vigilant, noting that ensuring human rights becomes a serious challenge when democracy is weak. He made this appeal while addressing the inauguration program of the 17th National Human Rights General Assembly on 8 December. Minister Aryal emphasized that democracy and human rights are complementary, and effective implementation of human rights is possible only with a strengthened democracy. He stated that the government is committed to institutionalizing democracy in the current changing context and emphasized that all stakeholders must play their respective roles to ensure that the House of Representatives elections are conducted in a fair, and fear-free environment. Home Minister Aryal also recalled Nepal’s commitment to implementing the provisions of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and stressed the need to ensure human rights in a manner that fulfills obligations made to the international community. Minister Aryal stated that completing the Transitional Justice Process (TRC) and ensuring the human rights of all citizens is a primary necessity today. He emphasized that human rights are the backbone of any civilized, inclusive, and democratic society, and asserted that it is the state’s foremost duty to guarantee the freedom, equality, and security of its citizens.
In the same program, Tapa Bahadur Magar, Chairperson of the National Human Rights Commission, stated that weak governance fosters corruption. He emphasized the need to launch campaigns against corruption. Magar highlighted the importance of controlling corruption and maintaining good governance, noting that the Gen-Z protest has added a new dimension to Nepal in this regard. He noted that widespread corruption fosters malpractices, and where such malpractices prevail, the protection of human rights is often overlooked. He added that the Gen-Z protests have introduced a new dimension. It is imperative to uphold good governance and work toward the eradication or reduction of corruption. Chairperson Magar stated that although caste based discrimination has been abolished by the Constitution, it has yet to be fully eliminated from society and everyday practice. Chairperson Magar further stated that although caste based discrimination has been abolished by the Constitution, it has yet to be fully eliminated from society and everyday practice.
At the program, founding coordinator of the General Assembly, Charan Prasai, outgoing chairperson Bhola Bhattarai, chairperson of the NGO Federation Arjun Bhattarai, Assembly chairperson Shobha BC, and others emphasized that the Gen-Z generation has prioritized building a corruption-free nation with good governance. They stressed that the government must focus on creating a non-violent environment and remain committed to establishing the rule of law, restoring human rights, and ensuring good governance in the country.