Haliya Commission sought

KATHMANDU: Human rights defenders have demanded the formation of Freed Haliya Rehabilitation Commission.

The activists said so at an interaction on 'Rehabilitation, Status and Challenges of Freed Haliyas' here on Tuesday.

On the occasion, Chairperson of Dalit Society and Welfare Association Bhakta Biswokarma called the government to arrange various employment-oriented trainings towards sustaining the livelihood of Haliyas, the previous bonded labourers.

He also pointed out the need to put policy advocacy efforts for the establishment of the rights of Haliyas in collaboration with stakeholders.

Still more families are in a condition to sustain their livelihood as Haliyas due to the government's weaknesses, said participants.

"Many of the previous bonded labourers are deprived of obtaining identity card," they added.

The participants had also urged the government to come up with a concrete plan to address the needs of Haliyas and delegate the authority to local bodies for its effective implementation.