In English: Press Statement
Terai Human Rights Defenders Alliance (THRD Alliance) expresses its serious concerns over the government’s recent moves, that it believes will adversely impact independence, autonomy, and dignity of the National Human Rights Commission. The constitution envisages that NHRC will act an effective mechanism to protect and promote human rights.
THRDA also urges the government to ensure enactment of Acts and laws and to carry out its activities in a way that would not adversely impact the autonomy, independence and dignity of the NHRC. THRDA believes that the current bill registered in the Parliament to amend the NHRC Act, 2012 is against the Paris Principle mainly because it curtails NHRC’s independence and autonomy.
This bill’s provision proposes to give the Attorney General’s a role in investigation carried out by the NHRC and its recommendations and orders which will adversely impact the dignity of the commission. Similarly, the bill’s provision will also adversely impact NHRC’s provincial and branch offices. We, therefore, strongly urge the government to rethink the bill and make provisions to make NHRC an independent, autonomous, dignified and effective constitutional body.
It is deplorable that a team of Nepal Police cordoned off the NHRC office in Nepalgunj and threatened the security officers and office bearers of the commission to re-arrest Dan Bahadur Fadera, who after being released by Banke District Court on personal recognisance, had gone to take refuge there. The arrest of Fadera from the premises of District Administration Office, Banke where he had been handed over to his family in the presence of CDO, Banke as per the directives of the NHRC makes mockery of the rule of law. These organisations strongly urge the government to Fadera and his family.
As violation of NHRC’s directives and curtailment of NHRC’s legal status could lead to infringement of the rule of law and democratic values, this organisation urge all to be sensitive about these issues.
