Pokhara, January 6:

Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, Niranjan Thapa has said human rights is the 1990 Constitution’s first priority.

Speaking at the inauguration of a two-day seminar organised by the Ministry here today for creating awareness on human rights laws among the government officers, Minister Thapa said, “In the first place a constitution cannot be written if human rights is not given first priority where rule of law governs.”

He said the 1990 Constitution is alive just because of the judiciary and added the first responsibility of the security organs is to protect the human rights. “Although the security personnel are blamed for violation of the human rights, they have not crossed the international human rights law,” he said, adding: “The government has initiated action against them when it is found that they have violated the human rights.”

The King had taken the February 1 move for conservation of the 1990 Constitution, Minister Thapa said.

The King has announced the municipal poll as per the provisions in the constitution for restoration of the rule of law, he added.

Stating that no party should prevent people from exercising their adult franchise, he urged the parties who have announced to boycott the elections to join it.

The government will lend its full support to the election commission which is determined to hold the election, he said.

Gandaki zonal administrator Kumar Bahadur Karki said the United States of America, which talks loudly in favour of the human rights has itself violated human rights, and added: “The big nations are exploiting small nations in the world.”