Rights bodies serve donors

The editorial “Righting the wrongs” (THT, Dec 12) has successfully depicted the

deteriorating human rights condition in Nepal. Though the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) observed the International Human Rights Day on Dec 10, it has not been able to carry out its duties efficiently. Moreover, the organisations, in particular I/NGOs, which profess to defend human rights have often been politically influenced and are known to safeguard donor interests rather than the common people’s. Bereaved families of the victims of insurgency would not have had to cry for justice for so long, had human rights activists vociferously spoken on their behalf.

Sanjay Shrestha, Balaju, Kathmandu

Alarming

Apropos of the news report “Fiesta takes fatal turn, 25 bite dust” (THT, Dec12), it is sad that though road mishaps are claiming lives almost every day, the government stands a mute spectator. It must be noted that Nawalparasi is among the districts where the frequency of road accidents is alarmingly high. The road adjoining Chormara, which was swept by floods almost two years ago, has not been repaired yet. Lack of adequate boards indicating speed limits is one the major factors that mislead drivers and cause accidents. Will road journey in Nepal ever be safe again? The government needs to do something immediately.

Suraj Pangeni, Kathmandu

Care needed

Apropos of the news report “Fiesta takes fatal turn, 25 bite dust” (THT, Dec12), I feel that THT has unwittingly given the impression of being somewhat insensitive. THT should not try to make interesting headlines merely to attract attention. It would be more appropriate to

consider the feelings of the victims and their families. Great care should be taken while dealing with tragic news.

Manit Deokota,

Sukhhedhara, Kathmandu

Chip in

Scores of people have slipped off the edge of Seti gorge and lost their lives during the past several years. Last month, a tourist lost his life. Now the people of Pokhara have themselves collected money to erect barbed wire fence on either side of the gorge so as to prevent further accidents. Is it not the duty of the government to chip in too?

Umanga Mulmi, via e-mail

Fair deal

Judicial Council members Moti Kaji Sthapit and Law Minister Dev Gurung are reported to be at loggerheads over whether the present structure of judicial system in Nepal needs change. Justice AR Sharma of the Supreme Court has opined that the Judicial Council in its

present form has not been able to take effective action for corruption control in Nepal’s judiciary and so it needs urgent structural changes. The differences of opinion between the

members of the Council definitely will not serve to create a healthy atmosphere for justice dispensation, which has almost always made the poor suffer. I believe that Minister Gurung should introduce an urgent bill in the legislature that in no ambiguous terms defines corruption as the violation of the existing laws. Failure to do so would only deprive people of the protection of the laws of the land.

V P Sayami, Kathmandu