Dhangadhi, January 28:

Chairperson of the National Human Rights Commission Kedarnath Upadhyaya has said criminal activities had been rising in the country, as the government had failed to check impunity.

Talking to the representatives of journalists, human rights activists and civil society here today, Upadhyaya said, “The government, instead of bringing the criminals to book, has patronised them.”

“The police arrest criminals, but the ruling parties effect their release, saying they are their cadres. How can the human rights be safeguarded in such a situation?” he wondered.

The human rights situation will not improve unless law is strictly imposed, he added.

Ram Nagina Singh, member of the commission, said the culture of impunity was being promoted. The political parties have to rise above partisan interests to check impunity, he added.

Secretary of the commission Bishal Khanal, regional coordinator of INSEC Khadak Raj Joshi, president of the human rights alliance Ganesh BK, journalist Karna Shah and Birendra Rawal, and Punam Sijapati of the district Dalit Women’s Association, raised concerns about the growing culture of impunity in the country.