KATHMANDU, MARCH 27

The National Human Rights Commission has said that there is no clarity in the jurisdiction and nature of work among the NHRC and other thematic commissions established by the Government of Nepal.

In addition to the NHRC, the constitution provides seven other thematic commissions related to human rights. These include National Inclusion Commission, National Dalit Commission, National Women Commission, Indigenous Nationalities Commission, Madhesi Commission, Tharu Commission and Muslim Commission.

'There is no clarity in the jurisdiction and nature of work among the NHRC and the seven thematic commissions.

No discussion or debate has been held on this matter. Even though the constitution, the related Acts and the strategic plans mention the duties to be carried out by the commissions, duplication is likely and there could be different reports on the same issue,' a recent report released by the rights body warned.

'In such a situation, more complexities will be seen in implementation, and relations between the commissions may not be decent.

And this may create a situation that deprives victims of justice,' it added.

The NHRC also said that there seemed to be lack of coordination and collaboration among stakeholder agencies on issues of protection and promotion of human rights. This problem is apparent more in government-to-government, government-to-non-government and among the non-government organisations.

According to the rights body, this is leading to a situation where the reports are more than the work done, and duplication of work occurs. The mentality of taking credit for good results, and staying away or putting the blame on others in case of negative results is prevalent. In the area where dozens of organisations have been functioning, there are more problems.

Similarly, the NHRC lamented that its functioning had not been effective due to non-cooperation of the government despite adoption of federal governance system in the country.

On 22 June 2017, the rights body made some timely changes to its organisational structure and sent it to the government for approval. But despite repeatedly drawing government attention , the government has not shown any interest in those changes.

A version of this article appears in the print on March 28, 2021, of The Himalayan Times.