Kathmandu, April 4

Even as the elected governments are in place under the federal set up, impunity in the country  is still persistent, according to the National Human Rights Commission.

According to its latest annual report (2017-18), law enforcement is weak and human rights violators and those accused of committing crime go scot-free thanks to political protection.

State’s apathy towards activating transitional justice mechanism means that the chances of ensuring justice to the victims are very slim, according to the report.

“The state implemented only 12.5 per cent of the NHRC recommendations,” concludes the report. According to the Supreme Court report (2016-2017), 112,126 years and seven months of prison terms remain unimplemented. This state of impunity shows that protecting and promoting human rights is a big challenge.

Although political leaders often harp on the end of political transition in the country, this is not felt in practice. People still resort to street protests to demand their rights. Be it medical sector or public transportation sector, strikes in essential services have been a norm. As state fails to enforce laws effectively, tendency on the part of people to take law into their own hands is growing, states the report.

The government’s failure to take action against those involved in human rights violation and feeling of insecurity and unease among the public with regard to the law and order situation of the country is a cause for concern, adds the report.

The NHRC laments that it is not getting support from government bodies as expected, in terms of respect, protection and development of human rights culture. The report adds that the government has curtailed budget to run need-based programmes.

The rights body report stated that NHRC has revamped its organisational structure after the country adopted the federal set-up in accordance with the new constitution. However, the government is yet to approve its new structure, which shows that the government is not serious about protecting human rights.

The NHRC had forwarded issues related to the revision in the NHRC Act, along with clarification on the need for revision in the changed scenario. But the government has not revised the act yet thereby affecting the functioning of NHRC, according to the report.