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Improve access to justice for victims

Graphic: Justice Anup Raj Sharma delivers the address on Human Rights Day

The Commission's Chairperson was speaking at an event in Kathmandu on 10 December to mark the 71st International Human Rights Day.

The Chairperson of the National Human Rights Commission has used a Human Rights Day address to call for action to support the most marginalised groups of people in the country.

"The overall human rights situation, including socio-economic and educational aspects of the Dalit, indigenous, people with disabilities, gender and sexual minorities have not seen progress as much as expected," Justice Anup Raj Sharma said.

Speaking at an event in Kathmandu on 10 December to mark the 71st International Human Rights Day, Justice Sharma said it was vital to improve access to justice for victims of human rights violations.

Violence against women, child marriage, menstruation taboo ('Chhaupadi') human trafficking, racial discrimination and untouchability, gender-based discrimination continue to exist in the society," he said.

"The violence survivors should have easy, efficient and safe access to justice."

Justice Sharma also highlighted the urgent need to provide justice for victims of Nepal's civil conflict.

"Thirteen years have passed since the country moved towards peace through the Comprehensive Peace Agreement but the conflict survivors are yet to get a sense of justice, which is a continuity of the culture of impunity," he said.


Graphic: Audience members listen to speeches on Human Rights Day, Kathmandu


Justice Sharma called on all arms of the Government to deliver on their obligation to respect, protect and fulfil the human rights of all people in Nepal.

"The State is the custodian of human rights but, in many incidents, it seems that the state mechanism and organs are playing the role of human rights violators," he said.

"The Government has not fully implemented the recommendations of the NHRC, though it is constitutionally binding for the Government."

The Commission's Chairperson recommended developing laws and policies to make the private industry, trade and business sectors accountable to human rights, "as it is no longer a matter of concern only for the state and state actors".

He also drew attention to the Commission's efforts to improve human rights outcomes for Nepal's migrant workers, including by signing joint agreements with national human rights institutions in Malaysia, Qatar and the Philippines.

The full speech is available on the Commission's website.

Date: 11 December 2019

Source: National Human Rights Commission of Nepal


Image credits

  1. Justice Anup Raj Sharma delivers the address on Human Rights Day - National Human Rights Commission of Nepal
  2. Audience members listen to speeches on Human Rights Day, Kathmandu - National Human Rights Commission of Nepal