Kathmandu— Members of the Federalism Enablement and National Concerns Committee of the National Assembly convened Friday to discuss the need for improved adherence to recommendations made by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC). The committee members highlighted concerns regarding citizen issues and urged the government to prioritize implementing NHRC’s findings, while officials from the commission detailed ongoing challenges including delays in justice, lack of investigation into complaints, and increasing reports of rights violations related to natural disasters and foreign employment.

NHRC Reports Increasing Complaints

National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) chair Top Bahadur Magar informed the committee that the commission continues to maintain public trust despite facing numerous challenges. He noted that complaints received by the NHRC extend beyond direct human rights violations to include issues such as delays in legal proceedings, failure to acknowledge submitted grievances, and a lack of thorough investigations.

NHRC secretary Murari Prasad Kharel reported a growing trend of incidents related to natural disasters, alongside increasing violations of economic, social, and cultural rights. He specifically mentioned concerns about inadequate protection of citizens’ rights, particularly within the Karnali province.

Migrant Worker Concerns Highlighted

The NHRC is frequently contacted regarding issues faced by Nepali migrant workers seeking foreign employment. These complaints often involve instances of fraud, discrepancies between promised job conditions and actual experiences, and exposure to various risks during their work abroad. The committee members emphasized the importance of addressing these vulnerabilities.

Committee Calls for Monitoring and Collaboration

Several committee members, including Uday Bahadur Bohara, Dharmendra Paswan, and others, stressed the necessity of timely monitoring systems to ensure that NHRC recommendations are effectively implemented by relevant government bodies. Magar also emphasized that resolving all human rights issues requires collaborative efforts between the NHRC and concerned state agencies.

The committee’s meeting signals a renewed focus on strengthening human rights protections in Nepal, with an emphasis on governmental accountability and inter-agency cooperation to address growing concerns.

(With inputs from RN)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.