Chairperson of the National Human Rights Commission, Top Bahadur Magar, has stated that effective coordination and accountability among the federal, provincial, and local governments are essential for the protection, promotion, and implementation of human rights. Addressing a provincial-level interaction programme on the human rights situation in Karnali Province, organized by the National Human Rights Commission with stakeholders in Birendranagar, Surkhet, on June 16, he expressed the view that all state bodies must be responsible for ensuring in practice the rights guaranteed by the Constitution.
Chairperson Magar noted that human rights issues related to education, health, roads, food security, employment, social justice, and service delivery in Karnali remain challenging. He stated that the cooperation of all stakeholders is indispensable for building a human rights-friendly system of governance. He also emphasized that government bodies should pay special attention to implementing the recommendations made by the Commission.
National Human Rights Commission Secretary Murari Prasad Kharel stated that cooperation between state institutions and civil society should be strengthened to improve the human rights situation. He informed participants that the Commission would bring issues identified during its monitoring activities to the attention of the relevant authorities and take initiatives toward their resolution.
NHRC Joint Secretary Samjhana Sharma stated that legal and policy provisions for the protection of human rights must be implemented effectively. She expressed the view that citizens should have easy access to public services, social security, and justice.
Secretary of the Office of the Chief Minister and Council of Ministers, Nidhi Raj Neupane, stated that the provincial government has been prioritizing programmes related to human rights protection and social justice. Emphasizing that the guarantee of human rights is the foundation of a successful democratic system of governance, he noted that organizations working in the field of rights should coordinate and collaborate with the government.
Chief of the Karnali Provincial Police Office and Deputy Inspector General of Police, Jaya Raj Sapkota, stated that the police organization is committed to providing human rights-friendly policing services. He informed participants that human rights standards are being fully observed during investigations, detention management, and service delivery. DIG Sapkota further noted that the police remain active at the district level in protecting human rights and ensuring public security, and that community–police partnership programmes have been made more effective.
Coordinator of the Human Rights Defenders Network, Karnali Province, Pitambar Dhakal, stated that challenges still remain regarding the security of human rights defenders, freedom of expression, and social justice in Karnali. He drew the state’s attention to the need for protecting human rights defenders and respecting their role.
Coordinator of INSEC Karnali Province, Narayan Subedi, stated that issues related to education, health, women’s rights, and the rights of Dalit and marginalized communities remain serious concerns in Karnali. Sharing information on incidents documented by INSEC in 2025, he underscored the need for effective investigation of human rights violations and the assurance of justice.
During the programme, Chief of the Karnali Provincial Office of the National Human Rights Commission, Ramesh Kumar Thapa, presented an overview of the human rights situation in Karnali Province. The presentation covered challenges and areas of progress relating to health, education, food security, women’s and children’s rights, social inclusion, infrastructure, access to justice, and service delivery.
The programme, held in the presence of NHRC Chairperson Tap Bahadur Magar, was attended by heads and representatives of provincial and district government offices, security officials, representatives of various professional organizations, office bearers of the High Court Bar Association and District Bar Association, as well as human rights defenders. Participants emphasized the need to strengthen coordination among state institutions, ensure effective implementation of policies and programmes, and enhance citizen participation to improve the human rights situation in Karnali Province.