Govt committed to human rights: PM

BY A STAFF REPORTER,Kathmandu, Dec. 11: Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' has said that the government of Nepal was committed to promoting human rights culture.

Speaking at a programme organised by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on the occasion of 75th International Human Rights Day in Kathmandu on Sunday, Prime Minister Prachanda said, “The government was making efforts to ensure human rights by enacting laws that comply with the provision of the fundamental rights guaranteed by the Constitution,” 

He emphasised the need for the prompt conclusion of transitional justice in line with the decision of the Supreme Court, recommendations from the NHRC and international practices. He said that impacts and risks of climate change such as the melting of snow-covered mountains, have impacted Nepal, although Nepal has a nominal role in causing climate change.

Prime Minister Prachanda said, "We are committed to combating climate change. We need to develop and implement strategies to 

combat climate change and natural disasters and protect social and economic rights."

Stating that the government is serious about implementing recommendations from the NHRC, he said, a separate budget would be allocated for its implementation in the upcoming fiscal year. 

He said that the government was committed to maintaining the independence and autonomy of the NHRC and was allocating the necessary budget to construct the NHRC's building and its federal structures and for its resources and improvements according to federal laws. He pointed out that the NHRC had been working for the promotion and protection of human rights since its establishment. 

He said that the government would implement 'Fifth National Human Rights Action Plan' to foster a culture of human rights in all social aspects and achieve 17 goals of Sustainable Development (2015-2030). 

This year's Human Rights Day was celebrated with the slogan 'Freedom, Equality and Justice for All'. The day is observed across the world every year on December 10 to commemorate the issuance of the Universal 

Declaration of Human Rights on December 10, 1948.

Earlier, extending the message of best wishes on the occasion, Prime Minister Prachanda showed his commitment to the development of human rights culture by respecting, protecting and enhancing the life, dignity, equality, freedom and human rights of each individual. 

He said that the government had been continuously working to ensure human rights and address the issues of caste, regional, gender and traditional discrimination by enacting laws as per the provisions of 31 fundamental rights in the Constitution. The government is also committed to adhering to the international treaties endorsed by the country for human rights. He said that Nepal's Universal Period Review including remaining reports based on the Charter would be submitted in time. 

Meanwhile, RSS adds: Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' has said that the jobs of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and Commission of Investigation on Enforced Disappeared Persons formed to investigate the cases of human rights violations happened during the insurgency would be implemented effectively in line with the accepted principles of the transitional justice.

At a programme organized on the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights at the President Office by the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers on Sunday, the PM shared that the Bill Truth and Reconciliation Commission and Commission of Investigation on Enforced Disappeared Persons has been presented in the House to revise and amend to the existing provisions of the laws.

The PM said that Nepal respects all the provisions of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the other Conventions relating to the protection and promotion of human rights, which Nepal is a party state.

On the occasion, the PM said that the Constitution of Nepal promulgated through the Constituent Assembly has taken the policy of proportional representation and positive discrimination for ensuring identity, independence, equality and justice to those underprivileged and economically, socially and culturally marginalized people.

Likewise, the PM said that implementation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights has become more relevant in the context of the protection of human rights of women, children, senior citizens, unarmed common people, injured and inmates in the time of armed conflicts and wars taking place in different parts of the world.