The 16th National Human Rights Assembly began in Lalitpur on December 8, 2024, to mark the 76th International Human Rights Day. The assembly is being organized in collaboration with various organizations, including NAFAN, AYON, Maryada Foundation, SOSEC, the National Human Rights Commission, and INSEC. Event coordinator Bhola Bhattarai said the assembly, themed ‘Basis of Social, Economic, and Environmental Justice: Human Rights of Marginalized Communities,’ will run for seven days. Inaugurating the assembly, the Chairperson of the National Assembly, Narayan Prasad Dahal, emphasized the need to engage marginalized communities actively in policymaking, as they continue to face various challenges and struggle to secure their rights. He stated that the protection and promotion of human rights is not an optional task but a moral responsibility for all.
During the assembly, Tapa Bahadur Magar, the Chairperson of the National Human Rights Commission, mentioned that the Commission has sent a representative to the search committee to advance transitional justice. The organizers stated that the assembly will feature debates, discussions, awareness campaigns, and other activities over seven days, addressing various issues, including the fact that marginalized communities are not benefiting from the global concept of human rights. Kamala Parajuli, the Chairperson of the National Women Commission, discussed that, according to the provisions of Nepal’s constitution, ensuring women’s rights from all sectors and classes at special risk is a responsibility of the state and the general public. Ram Bahadur Thapa Magar, the Chairperson of the Indigenous Nationalities Commission, pointed out that although the constitution provides special provisions for the rights of marginalized groups, the implementation remains weak, and urged the attention of the National Assembly Chairperson to guarantee these rights.
Bhawana Bhatta, the Vice Chairperson of the NGO Federation recalled that the assembly has been organized for 16 years and highlighted that the inauguration ceremony of the 16th National Human Rights Assembly on December 8 serves as an example of collective efforts from all sectors and classes for the guarantee of human rights. The assembly will feature debates, discussions, awareness campaigns, and morning rallies over seven days to address the issue that marginalized communities are not benefiting from the global concept of human rights. The event aims to pressure the government and private sector to be responsible and accountable for human rights.
