Human rights meet concludes
KATHMANDU: The three-day Human Rights National Megna Meet-2009 concluded here today, issuing a 10-point declaration and demanding special rights for the marginalised, discriminated and minorities.
Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal said the new constitution would respect human rights of every citizen of the country. “The human rights situation has improved, compared to past, but it is still far from satisfactory,” said Nepal.
Addressing the concluding session of the meet, he asked political parties to abandon their ‘dual character’ and to appreciate the positive move of the government. “The government is committed to safeguarding human rights,” the PM said, adding that the government was working to end every type of discrimination and inequality.
Nepal urged the civil society to warn the government and other components of the society if they were working against human rights. He said the government was working to institutionalise Loktantra and was making efforts for the sustainable development of the country.
He added that the new constitution would be inclusive and would end discrimination on the bases of caste, sex, religion and culture. “The conflict victims are the most vulnerable groups in human rights sector,” said Nepal, stating that the government was working on the formation of the commissions on Truth and Reconciliation and Disappearance. The government will soon rectify the international convention on disability and address the issues of sexual minorities, according to the PM.
The meet has urged every one concerned to raise the issue of indigenous, Janajati, women, Dalit, Madhesi, disabled, third sex, squatters, elderly and youth, displaced and marginalised groups. It also urged the ratification of International Criminal Court convention at the earliest.
Mechanism to monitor and evaluate rights situation has been sought. The declaration is also vocal about guaranteeing press freedom.
