Chairperson of the National Human Rights Commission, Tapa Bahadur Magar, has expressed dissatisfaction, stating that only a few of the recommendations made by the Commission are being implemented. He made this statement while speaking at a program organized in Lalitpur on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the National Human Rights Commision on May 27.
Chairperson Magar, stated that since the beginning of the fiscal year 2024/2025, the Commission has registered 58 complaints related to human rights violations and resolved 164 cases during the same period. He remarked that the Commission has been making various recommendations since its establishment; however, their implementation remains limited. While some recommendations concerning compensation have been carried out, those aimed at initiating action have largely been ignored. According to him, the lack of implementation of such action-oriented recommendations has contributed to a growing culture of impunity. Chairperson Magar further emphasized that the meaningful realization of human rights depends on the government’s commitment to fulfilling its national and international obligations. He added “The utility of human rights will only become effective if the obligations created at both the national and international levels are implemented by the Government of Nepal”.
The Commission holds the responsibility of monitoring whether the state is fulfilling its obligations and of ensuring accountability in meeting those obligations. On the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the National Human Rights Commission, United Nations Resident Representative Ms. Kyoko Yokosuka acknowledged the Commission’s ongoing efforts and highlighted its role in strengthening the human rights situation in Nepal. She urged the government to make the country’s human rights situation exemplary. Emphasizing that the right to freedom of expression is an essential part of human rights, she stressed that people must exercise this right peacefully. Resident Representative Yokosuka highlighted that ensuring justice for those affected by human rights violations during the armed conflict concerns everyone.
At the program, Arjun Bhattarai of the NGO Federation drew the government’s attention to the attempt to place civil society organizations under the Ministry of Home Affairs. He also urged the government to allocate a budget for the reconstruction of the National Human Rights Commission building in the fiscal year 2025/2026 budget.
At the event, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) also released study reports focusing on the Chepang community and senior citizens.