Kathmandu, December 9, 2005 Senior Justice at the Supreme Court, Min Bahadur Rayamajhi, today pointed out the need to evaluate the government’s role in protecting human rights in the country. “Only a serious evaluation will reveal the extent to which the government and its machinery are committed on human rights,” he said. Rayamajhi also added that unless the government and rights bodies worked together in protecting the rights of the people, the government’s role as a signatory to various rights accords would remain doubtful. Rayamajhi said that the constitutional and legal provisions would only be ornaments in showcase if they are not enforced properly to protect the rights of the people. He was speaking on human rights situation in the country at a meet organised by the Human Rights and People’s Concern Committee of Nepal Bar Association to mark international human rights day tomorrow. The sitting justice said that the SC was committed to protecting the rights of the people — the main responsibility entrusted upon the apex court by the 1990 Constitution. “The goal of the Constitution cannot be achieved unless all the state machinery are committed to protect constitutionalism, the rule of law and peoples’ rights,” he added: “The Article 88 of the Constitution gives SC every power to protect the rights of the people.” Rayamajhi, an ex-officio member of the Judicial Council, urged the government, the civil society and all the concerned parties to show their commitments towards the protection of the rights of the people. He said it is human nature to oppose suppression and injustice. Nepal to piggyback LDC initiative Kathmandu, December 9, 2005 As the 6th ministerial meeting of World Trade Organization (WTO) is around the corner, all least developed countries and rich countries are preparing topush their agendas. Nepal has joined hands already with 32 LDCs for a common agenda to reap the benefits from WTO. At the December 13-18 WTO conference, 32 LDCs including Nepal, have formulated a common agenda that includes agriculture, non-agriculture market access (NAMA), trade and services, special and differential treatment and trade facilitation. Senior official at the ministry of industry, commerce and supplies, Prachanda Man Shrestha who looks after the WTO Cell at the ministry, said one day before his visit to Hong Kong to attend the WTO meet, that LDCs will raise a strong voice in the conference for duty-free access for all LDC products. They will focus on more aid to build capacity for expanding trade, he added. Shrestha who is also a member of the delegation that will participate at the WTO ministerial meet, mentioned that after Nepal received the WTO membership, it has met all the agreed commitments.