KATHMANDU, JULY 10 The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has urged the government to protect the rights of landless squatters, expressing serious concern over the eviction of displaced families from temporary holding centres without ensuring alternative housing. In a statement issued on Thursday, the commission said families evicted since April 25 from settlements along the Bagmati riverbanks and other areas in Kathmandu had been moved to holding centres but are now being asked to vacate those facilities as well. According to the NHRC's monitoring, authorities have issued notices directing residents to leave the holding centres within specified deadlines without making adequate alternative arrangements. The commission also raised concerns over inadequate food provisions and the failure of state agencies to safeguard the affected families' economic, social, cultural and civil rights. The commission warned that such actions could undermine the right to housing, food, education, healthcare and livelihood, and may be inconsistent with Nepal's legal obligations and international human rights standards, including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. The NHRC said it had repeatedly recommended that the government ensure alternative accommodation before relocating or evicting landless families and had written to relevant authorities, including the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers, the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Kathmandu District Administration Office and Kathmandu Metropolitan City. However, it said its recommendations had not been adequately addressed. The commission called on the government to refrain from any action that could place the human rights of landless squatters at risk and to uphold their rights to life, liberty, equality and dignity.