Time for action

Apropos of the news report “NHRC, OHCHR sign pact to bury the hatchet” (THT, Feb 21), it is encouraging to know that the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and Office of the High Commissioner for the Human Rights (OHCHR) in Nepal finally decided to work together to protect and promote human rights in the country. It remains to be seen whether they would be able to improve the

unsatisfactory human rights situation and end impunity. The current situation of law and order in the country means that most of the criminals and human rights violators go unpunished.

These two human rights organisations in the country should work together in a more coordinated way instead of blaming each other. They should be able to exert qualitative pressure on the government to be vigilant and sincere in safeguarding the human rights of the people and completely ending the ongoing state of impunity. Speaking at a recent programme, K N Upadhyay, Chief Commissioner of NHRC, had confessed that his organisation had been unable to make the government take action against human rights violators. This has put a question mark over the effectiveness and efficiency of both NHRC and OHCHR.

Rai Biren Bangdel,

Maharajgunj, Kathmandu

leak

The talented graduates of Nepal are migrating abroad not because of job opportunities there but because of the suitable environment they expect. Businessmen, lawyers, journalists, doctors and other professionals do not feel secure at home because of the poor law and order situation. Not only the government but also the political leaders should come up with commitment to cope with this bleak scenario. Otherwise, the country is likely to face a

serious crisis soon.

Xiran Varal, Central Department of Management, TU, Kirtipur

Deceit

The front page news “Maoist kangaroo courts to be thing of past pretty soon” (THT, Feb 22) is yet another reminder of how reckless the political parties have

become when it comes to fulfilling their promises. In this case, the Maoist party is claiming again that the kangarooo courts will be closed “soon”.

This sounds like nothing but yet another round of rhetoric, as these claims have been made by the Maoists several times in the past. I also wonder what sort of apologies the Maoist leadership will make next time. This is why it was shocking to see that the same party is now talking about “closing” the court down. The same is true about dissolving the semi-militant outfit YCL. When will the Prime Minister’s promise be fulfilled?

Sunil Sharma, Teku, Kathmandu

Bird flu

This is in reference to the news report “Avian flu re-strikes in Jhapa” (THT, Feb 21).

It is sad to know that bird flu virus has re-emerged when it was thought that all the necessary measures had been taken to eliminate it. I think that vigilance on the Nepal-India border to check the import of chicken, ducks, etc. has not been enough. Killing the

thousands of fowl will not be the cure if infected birds keep coming in.

Shiva Neupane, Melbourne, Australia