KATHMANDU: President Bidya Devi Bhandari has said human rights should be guaranteed not only in principle, but also in practice.

President Bhandari made this remark while inaugurating the Seventh Human Rights National Magna Meet 2015 organised by 162 organisations including the Beyond Beijing Committee and the National Human Rights Commission, among others.

Everyone in Nepal should experience human rights, the President said, stressing the need of augmenting the promotion and protection of human rights in the country.

Stating that works should be carried out as per the objective of taking human rights to each and every household, the Head of the State said it was necessary to use human rights in a practical manner as Nepal is beset by poverty and dependency on others.

"Not only the Dalit communities, but even menstruating and pregnant women as well as nursing mothers are discriminated against, which is against human rights and this kind of treatment is not heard of anywhere in the world, " the President said, referring to the violence against women, their mistreatment and discrimination which, according to her, is rife in society. President Bhandari also called for banishing such discriminatory practices besides making them punishable crimes.

Stating it was significant that the Constitution of Nepal provides for the political, economic, social and cultural rights of the citizens, apart from their human rights, she expressed the confidence that the Constitution can protect human rights of all.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Women, Children and Social Welfare, CP Mainali, believed that the new Constitution protects women's rights to a great extent for it contains provisions on women's rights and maintaining equality.

NHRC Chairman Anup Raj Sharma underlined the need for the government and the agitating parties to be serious and resolve the problem seen in the Tarai at present through talks for upholding the right to life.

Acting Chairperson of the National Women Commission Manu Humagain, human rights activists Charan Prasain and Sharmila Karki said although human rights were promoted significantly in Nepal, the situation is such that these rights couldnot be fully guaranteed.

On the occasion, the organising committee of the Magna Meet also offered a civic felicitation to the President for her success in holding the dignified post of the President of Nepal after her three decades of association with politics.

President Bhandari presented the Human Rights Year Honour to Sabitri Thapa, Chairperson of the Women Security Pressure Group.

The Human Rights National Magna Meet would be held for three days under the slogan: Democracy, Human Rights and Inclusion: Equal Participation of Women at All Sectors and Level of the State.