Human Rights National Magna Meet concludes

KATHMANDU, DECEMBER 13

The 12th Human Rights National Magna Meet, which kicked off on December 9 marking the International Human Rights Day, concluded here today, issuing a 45-point declaration. The declaration called for discouraging heinous crimes and perpetrators by bringing them to justice.

The Magna Meet that saw participation of representatives from 200 human rights organisations and civil society, participants demanded effective implementation of laws formulated to end acid attacks, human trafficking, rape, Chhaupadi and child marriage, among others.

The event inaugurated by Minister of Communications and Information Technology Parbat Gurung concluded demanding effective enforcement of verdicts of the Supreme Court to curb violence taking place in the name of rape, human trafficking, sexual violence and gender-based discrimination, among others.

Appealing for justice for victims, the Magna Meet also sought action to end corruption and make public service more result-oriented.

“The Magna Meet demands to start psycho-social counselling services in schools and colleges considering the growing cases of suicide and depression,” reads the declaration.

According to the declaration, impunity is on the rise in the country due to failure to address the transitional justice mechanisms and that led to conflict-victims being denied the right to justice. Hence, the declaration demanded appropriate amendment to the acts related to Commission for Investigation on Enforced Disappearances of Persons and Truth and Reconciliation Commission as per the international criteria.

On the occasion, Bed Prasad Bhattarai, secretary at the National Human Rights Commission, expressed confidence that the declaration would play an important role in protecting and promoting human rights. Human rights activist Kapil Shrestha spoke of the need for human rights defenders to perform the role of watchdog.

Likewise, Coordinator of the Magna Meet Govinda Bahadur Shahi extended gratitude for making the Magna Meet a success despite the ongoing COV- ID-19 pandemic.

Participants in the event had deliberated on the human rights situation in all seven provinces in the country. The meet was organised to ensure human rights of all people and complete the remaining tasks of the comprehensive peace accord.