Implement ILO’s national work plan: NHRC

Kathmandu, August 8

The National Human Rights Commission today urged the government to immediately approve and implement the draft of the national action plan relating to ILO Convention 169.

Issuing a press release here today, the NHRC said the action plan, which awaited the government’s approval for the last 10 years, must be implemented to ensure effective protection of indigenous nationalities’ rights.

NHRC organised an interaction on the occasion of the 22nd International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples to discuss the implementation of ILO Convention with government authorities, rights activities and lawmakers.

Addressing the programme, NHRC member Mohana Ansari said the objective of the programme was to discuss the state of implementation of Nepal’s commitment that it has made in international human rights instruments.

NHRC Chair Anup Raj Sharma said it was a matter of worry that the draft action plan remained stuck in the Cabinet for so long. Sharma said people should have the right to attain education in the mother language.

He said the NHRC was clear about protecting the rights of all castes, ethnic groups, languages, religions and cultures, according to the release.