Kathmandu, May 24

Chairperson of Law, Justice and Human Rights Committee of the House of Representatives Krishna Bhakta Pokharel today said his committee would address all the concerns expressed by office bearers of the National Human Rights Commission on NHRC Act (Amendment) Bill.

The government recently registered this bill in the National Assembly. Addressing a press conference, Pokharel said his panel would try to remove all ambiguities from the bill that could curtail NHRC’s autonomy and independence. He said his panel would ensure incorporating provisions that would allow the NHRC to enjoy its autonomy and independence, in line with letter and spirit of the constitution and Paris Principle.

NHRC is a special commission whose autonomy and independence should not be curtailed, he said. Pokharel said his panel would ensure NHRC’s financial and administrative autonomy.

Pokharel added that the attorney general, who had the power under the constitution to take a call on whether a criminal case should be filed in a court or not, would not interfere with NHRC’s recommendations. NHRC office bearers have opposed the bill, saying it gave powers to the AG to override NHRC’s recommendations.

Pokharel added that his panel would also ensure that the Nepal Media Council Bill did not impose a heavy fine on erring mediapersons.