On 6 May 2019, THRD Alliance organized an interaction program on the amendment bill of National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) Act 2012 in Kathmandu.
The human rights activists and lawyers and a representative of NHRC discussed the NHRC Act Amendment Bill. During the discussion, the participants were of the view that the provisions of the amendment bill have limited the jurisdiction,autonomy and independence of the commission.
They concluded that the bill contravenes the provisions relating to NHRC as enshrined by the Constitution of Nepal, the Supreme Court’s decision and the Paris Principles.
The participants discussed the particular provisions such as the Attorney General’s discretionary power for the investigation and the implementation of recommendation by the NHRC (Article 17a), government’s Interfering role in financial autonomy (Article 18a) and the cancelation of provincial and contact offices of the commission, (Article 26 (2) dismissed).
Finally, the participants demanded that that the provisions of the current bill must be revised in line with the NHRC’s suggestions to maintain it as an independent, autonomous, dignified and effective constitutional body.
The interaction was concluded with the issuance of a joint statement. Click HERE to read the statement in English and Nepali.
