As per the report,  the total number of cases of rights violation has increased to 6,642 in 2019 from 5,110 in 2018, up by 23%.

• 358 people were killed in 2019; 7 of them by the state actors including 5 cases of suspicious police encounters

The number of cases of women rights violation rose to 3,364 in 2019 from 2,824 in 2018.

• Domestic violence cases accounted for over 50% in 2019
• Rape cases increased to 530 in 2019 from 475 in 2018
• 129 women were killed by family members in 2019 with 13 cases related to dowry

As per the report, non-state actors were the main culprits in the gender-based violence cases.

“Even today, hundreds of women are facing violence for failing to provide a dowry as demanded by their in-laws,” said Bijay Raj Gautam, Informal Sector Service Centre (INSEC) Executive Director.

Although the Nepali Government has initiated several steps, including stringent laws, helplines and shelters, to curb violence against women, the rights violation cases continue to increase.

After women, children are most prone to rights violation that includes corporal punishment, child labor, trafficking, and deprivation of the right to education and health.

The number of cases of child rights violation reached 1,447 in 2019.

Nepal Human Rights Year Report 2020 was released by the Informal Sector Service Centre (INSEC), a human rights organization.

The INSEC has been collecting the data about the cases of rights violation across the nation since 1992.

More Human Rights Articles:

• UN Human Rights Commission Slams Nepal Over Child Labor and Torture Case
• Debate Intensifies on Amendment to Nepal Human Rights Bill
• Minister Gyawali Speaks Nepal Progress at UN Human Rights Council

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Boyd urged world nations to beat air pollution in a bid to fill their human rights obligation.

“Air pollution is a silent, invisible and prolific killer that is responsible for the premature death of 7 million people each year, disproportionately affecting women, children, and poor communities,” said Boyd.

Air Pollution Statistics 2019

Source:NepalInData

But the UN Human Rights and the Environment rapporteur says that there are several success stories too.

“There are numerous success stories of drastically reducing air pollution from across the world, including China, who is hosting World Environment Day this year. These stories prove that air pollution is a preventable problem,” he added.

Boyd revealed that every five seconds, a premature death is caused by air pollution and that about 90 percent of the world population breathed polluted air.

Shockingly among the 7 million who die annually, 600,000 are children.

“There are numerous success stories of drastically reducing air pollution from across the world, including China, who is hosting World Environment Day this year. These stories prove that air pollution is a preventable problem,” said the UN expert.

Boyd added that clean air is a core component of the right to a healthy environment, along with clean water and adequate sanitation, healthy and substantially produced food, healthy biodiversity, non-toxic environment, and a safe climate.

Death rates from air pollution, Nepal (1990-2017)

Source: IHME, Global Burden of Disease

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Interview by Sai Nikesh D

A struggling land is often home to many inspiring people as struggle teaches what life is and gives the world the motivators!

Nepal is one such land that emerged out of an intense struggle in almost every form. Overcoming hurdles, the country is finally today on the track of socio-economic-political development to give its citizens and especially the youth, a bright future.

Given this tough & struggling background, every Nepali naturally carries an emotion in his/her speech. In one of its recent attempts, Nepali Sansar Bureau (NSB) got in touch with one such inspiring young personality from Nepal – Dr. Prakash Banjade,  Medical Doctor, Social Activist, UN Youth Representative & Motivational Speaker.

Intense love for homeland and burning wish for development define Mr. Prakash in a better way, majorly for his rich emotion when he mentions about his nation and its development.

Following are some excerpts of NSB’s interview with Mr. Prakash:

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The last three years has seen her transform from a girl to an activist. During this time, she formed nice adolescent girl support groups and on her own has stopped at least a dozen child marriages. Currently leading the Pariwartan Adolescent Girls’ circle, Sangita is teaching 28 girls to stand up for their rights.

Climbing newer heights in her fight against child marriages, she convinced the local government authority to allot a budget to help these girls progress with their empowerment activities.

Early Childhood and the Challenges
Sangita and her family members are from the marginalized Dalit ethnic group, or caste. Being the target of inequality since her childhood, Sangita still has memories of being discriminated based on caste. She says, “I asked my parents so many times: how can such discrimination exist in our society?”

She was also faced with gender-equality, where in she was going to be married while she was still in her 10^th grade. Her parents had stated that they wanted her to get married.

If It were not for her knowledge about the downsides of child marriage, she would have been a victim of child marriage too. She says, “Had I married back then, I would have definitely been out of school”. She had been educated through a program supported by UNFPA and the government’s Women and Children’s Office, which trains community leaders, activists and youth about human rights, as well as the harms of child marriage

In Nepal, Child marriage is a common country. As per statistics, more than a third of women, aged 20-24 were married before the age of 18 years.

The practice can prove very fatal to girls, they either become victims of abuse or suffer with early pregnancies that their bodies will not be able to bear. It also forces them to drop out of their education which is very crucial to their growth. (Image Source: Nepalindata)

Sangita says” I was not against my parents but against their mindset that a girl should be married off at an early age.” “I repeatedly told them that for any girl, education and empowering come before marriage. And they were convinced.”

Empowering Young Girls
Sangita took part in UNFPA-supported leadership trainings in 2013 and 2015. There, she equipped herself with counselling, social and financial skills that she could share with her adolescent girls’ groups.

Rupantaran helps girls develop a range of skills including accounting, nutrition, sexual and reproductive health and civic participation. With support from District Women and Children’s Office and the UNFPA-UNICEF Global Program to Accelerate Action to End Child Marriage, Rupantaran has reached more than 5,000 girls like Sangita since 2015.

The knowledge I acquired from this training has helped me give a voice to other girls so that they can take ownership of their lives and develop their leadership skills.”

Contributions to the Community
The girls’ groups she started have made a strong impact on the girls in Bajhang. Many members were able to convince their parents into cancelling or postponing their marriages. They have been empowered to the extent that they intervene whenever child marriages are being arranged in the community.

These girls also conduct peer education sessions in their schools, community rallies and in door-to-door campaigns.

Other Initiatives
They also address Chaupadi, the practice of secluding women during menstruation and that too in unsafe and unhygienic conditions and other practices like gender-based violence and the caste-discrimination.

The Difference Made
Now a graduate, Sangita is still the same passionate young girl she was. She treks five hours a day to and back from her class. Speaking about Sangita, Tita Magar, official at the Women and Children’s Office says, “She is a role model in her community and family, and many girls look up to her.”

Inspiration to the Generations
Sangita has a set a special mark for herself among the women of Nepal and worldwide. Her efforts will continue to be remembered for ages to come.

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This app, first such one by any Nepali Civil Society Organization (CSO), is coming at a time when the country is witnessing a major political and developmental shifts towards protection of citizen’s rights and Nepali society.

“The android app is an integrated package on several dimensions of RTI- from principles to practice aimed at making public and media aware of RTI usage and its benefits for a good governance endeavor in the country,” said Freedom Forum in its release.

At a time when the government is looking at strengthening local bodies and empowering citizens, this app comes to assure the transparency and accountability in public affairs.

The app covers the basics of RTI Act, guide to implementation of RTI, ensures the facility of downloading and sharing of common templates of RTI requests and also helps in reaching out to the chief of public agencies and the National Information Commission (NIC).

Through this app, all the Nepali RTI activists and campaigners can access all rules, laws, publications, updates, success stories/case-studies and discussion forums related to the RTI Act.

The app assists all Nepali human rights defenders, RTI activists, journalists and CSOs to learn and share ideas as an extended forum.

The app offers public assistance on the ways to exercise the RTI Act and also provides a special forum to share and discuss issues related to human rights.

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An international workshop on ‘Right to Food’, being participated by human rights activists from more than 50 countries, is currently underway in Kathmandu.

The five-day workshop that began on October 31, 2017 is being organized by a member-based human rights organization called Food-first Information and Action Network Nepal (FIAN Nepal).

With this, FIAN International has brought in the human rights activists belonging to its associated countries.

“The workshop discussed on food deprivation among people in national and international communities and ways to resolve the issue,” informed Ashok Singh, Director of FIAN Nepal, speaking in this regard.

On the occasion, the FIAN International council meeting was also held in Kathmandu.

The organization is actively into promoting and advocating for the realization of human rights related to in Nepal.

National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) Mohana Ansari, FIAN Nepal Chairperson Mr. Ammar Bahadur Air and General Secretary of FIAN Nepal Satya Twayna were among other key personalities who attended the event.

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The United Nations (UN), in its official release on October 16, 2017, declared Nepal’s election as a UNHRC member.

“Nepal has been elected as a member of the UNHRC for the term 2018-2020, today. Nepal will be serving in that capacity for the first time since HRC’s creation in 2006,” said UN in its official release on October 16, 2017.

UN’s announcement followed a strong pitch made by Nepal for UNHRC membership in the 72^nd United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on September 27, 2017.

“Nepal secured 166 votes, the highest in the Asia-Pacific Group. Together, Qatar, Pakistan and Afghanistan were elected from the Asia-Pacific, as part of a total of 15 States elected from different geographical regions, by a secret ballot at the 72^nd UNGA session in New York,” noted the release.

Elated at the announcement, Ambassador Durga Prasad Bhattarai, Permanent Representative of Nepal to UN, said this election is of paramount importance for Nepal.

He added that it also reflects the international community’s acknowledgment of Nepal’s efforts and accomplishments in the field of human rights at home and globally.

“This election offers the post-conflict Nepal an unprecedented opportunity to prove its worth as an international contributor in the cause of human rights in Nepal and around the world, over and above its contribution as a UN peacekeeping and civilian protection partner since 1958,” read a statement by Bhattarai.

Following this announcement, Nepal’s term in UNHRC office would begin on January 1, 2018 and lasts till December 31, 2020.

Back to Seat After a Gap

Prior to this, Nepal had served as the member of the Commission on Human Rights during 1995-2000 and 2004-2006, wherein, the country served in Vice-chair (in 1999) and Chair (in 2000) positions.

The Commission on Human Rights was later replaced as HRC in 2006 with UNGA as its own subsidiary body.

Now, HRC is a combination of 47 member states across the geography with 13 nations from the Asia-Pacific group.

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A special campaign has been planned involving girls allowing them to raise questions on their key concerns.

Under the special movement titled ‘Because I am a Girl’, around 300 young girls will be playing the roles of radio program presenters and journalists and lead the radio talk shows at around 300 community radios across 75 districts of the country.

Because I am a Girl’ is the global movement jointly being organized by the Plan International and the Association of Community Radio Broadcasters (ACORAB).

“The radio takeover is a unique opportunity for girls to discuss their issues with policymakers, leaders and activists, and seek strong commitment from them: as agents of change girls will remind them to take positive actions and use their positions to influence changes in policy and practice, and promote equality and justice for girls,” Sven Coppens, Country Director of Plan International Nepal said in a statement.

According to Coppens, all these 300 girls, through these 300 takeovers, will demand changes against the discrimination and prejudice that holds them back in private and public life.

This program is part of the global initiative called ‘Because I am a Girl’ and is a Girls’ Movement that voices for their potential and societal justice.

“When girls get equal opportunities and equal chances in life, they can transform their lives and ensure development and prosperity of their communities,” adds Coppens.

Meanwhile, Subash Khatiwada, President of ACORAB Nepal informed, “Leadership capacity of 300 young girls will be developed and girls’ issues will be discussed throughout the country on the same day through this program.”

To Promote Girls Rights

On the occasion, Plan International Nepal and ACORAB have entered into a collaboration to promote girls’ rights in Nepal through various media initiatives.

It was in 2011 that the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) passed a resolution adopting October 11 as the International Day of the Girl Child in recognition of girls’ rights and challenges being faced by the girl community across the world.

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In a first such move, Nepali authorities accepted the marriage of a transgender couple by issuing them a marriage certificate officially approving their union.

Born and raised as a male child, Monika Shahi Nath married the 22-year-old Ramesh Nath Yogi in May 2017 and they got the official marriage certificate recently marking a rare acceptance in the Nepali society.

With this, Monika Shahi Nath (40) has become the country’s first transgender person to have received a marriage certificate from the district authorities, even in the absence of formal laws for such marriages.

 “I never dreamed that one day I would be someone’s wife and be loved as a daughter-in-law. We are happy and feel accepted as husband and wife,” says Nath.

Yogi’s family, who were initially reluctant, later accepted the couple.

“The idea of third gender is very new to people around here, many people don’t understand what it means. But her behavior is good with everyone, so they are accepting her,” says Laxmi Nath Bista, a neighbor to Yogi at his residence.

Despite a third gender option in government application forms, the Nepali transgenders community has been facing key challenges with regard to their identity and acceptance in the Nepali society.

Nath, who grew up as Manoj in western Nepal, has been facing various challenges since her childhood. “Away from my home, I would secretly become a woman. It would make me very happy, but I was afraid to tell my family, I felt I would shame them,” says Nath.

Even though this marriage was accepted, the legal provision allowing such marriages is yet to be passed and has been pending with the government since more than two years.

“I am blessed to be someone’s wife, but the government needs to make the legal changes so people can easily marry the person they love.”

Nath was also the first Nepali transgender to receive a passport under the ‘other’ gender category in 2015.

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Nepal has raised its key concerns at the 72^nd United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) currently being held in New York.

“As we embark upon a path of implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, challenges are the litmus tests for our leadership,” said Nepali Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba in his address at the 72^nd annual General Debate session held at UNGA.

Addressing sessions held on the sidelines of UNGA, Deuba raised various key issues related to human rights, UNRC membership, migrants, cooperation at times of natural disaster, among others pertaining to the development of Nepal.

“Global community faces a more complex and polarized environment with multiple transnational challenges ranging from terrorism, climate change, energy deficiency, food insecurity, and mass migration to extremism. Unfortunately, our efforts have been too little, and often too late. All these challenges reinforce the role and responsibility of the United Nations,” said PM Deuba.

Nepal’s Candidature for UNHRC

Candidature in the United Nations Human Rights Commission (UNHRC) has been a matter of concern for Nepal. Finally, on the occasion of UNGA, PM Deuba presented Nepal’s candidature to UNHRC for the 2018-2020 term.

In this regard, he said, “Nepal’s first-ever election to the Council would be a recognition to the country’s long commitment and contribution in the field of human rights and an encouragement to do more at national as well as global levels”.

He also pitched in on the need for improvement of human rights situation in Nepal by strengthening National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and protecting the rights of women and other disadvantaged sections of the Nepali society.

The Nepali Prime Minister also pitched in for a ‘zero case scenario’ in case of attacks on civilians, abuse, sexual exploitation and also urged for greater security in case of migrants.

A Special Request Under Peacekeeping Operations

With regard to UN peacekeeping operations, Nepali PM urged UN to ensure fair opportunity to the countries contributing troop and security personnel by placing them at leadership positions, both on-field and at headquarters.

Pitching in for Nepali participation in higher ranks of UN peacekeeping operations, Deuba made an official request to increase the number of Nepali Army deployed in UN missions for which, UN General Secretary responded positively saying that would be taken on utmost priority.

The Permanent Mission of Nepal to UN in New York expressed hope that the request would be addressed soon.

Deuba also urged UN to utilize Nepal’s Birendra Peace Operations Training Centre, the oldest in the region, and also contribute for its development as a regional center of excellence for peacekeeping training.

Nepali Minister for Foreign Affairs Krishna Bahadur Mahara reiterated Nepal’s commitment to peacekeeping operations.

Currently, there are more than 5,000 Nepali security personnel deployed in various UN missions globally and Nepal is the largest troop and police contributing country.

Call for Ban on Destructive Weapons

“Nepal welcomes the confidence-building measures on conventional weapons, ending nearly two decades of stalemate in the UN Disarmament Commission. Nepal has signed the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons as a step towards nuclear disarmament” said Deuba calling for complete disarmament.

He further said that Nepal, as the host to the Regional Centre for Peace and Disarmament for Asia-Pacific, would call for reactivation of the regional disarmament deliberations under the Kathmandu Process. 

“Nepal condemns terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, and anywhere in the world. The world must come together to address not just its symptoms but the root causes. Early conclusion of the anti-terrorism global convention is the call of our time,” Deuba added.

Migration, Need of the Hour

Stating that there is an urgent need for addressing migration-related issues, the Nepali Prime Minister said Nepal is eagerly waiting for a successful outcome of the 2018 Global Compact on Migration.

“Nepal calls for concerted efforts at the national, regional and international levels to ensure that the migration process creates a fair and win-win situation to all. We call for safety, security, dignity and well-being of all migrant workers,” said Deuba.

LLDCs and LDCs Not Getting Benefitted

“Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs) have not been developing from the process of globalization,” said Deuba speaking at the UNGA session.

In this regard, he called on UN to ensure that these two groups of countries have partnerships and technology transfer and reliable and sustainable financing to overcome structural impediments.

He further said the South-South cooperation in terms of trade, investment and technology should be fully exploited.

“LDCs are the most vulnerable group of countries. They cannot be perennially equated with dehumanizing conditions of poverty and under development. They must be enabled to smoothly and sustainably graduate at an early date,” he added.

Speaking on bilateral relations with other countries, Deuba said, “Nepal believes in non-alignment. In exercise of our independent foreign policy, we judge every issue on its merit without fear or favor. We consider regional cooperation an important means for building trust and confidence among nations and making the best use of complementarities for shared prosperity.”

Permanent Representative of Nepal to UN Durga Prasad Bhattarai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Krishna Bahadur Mahara, Foreign Affairs Advisor to the Prime Minister Dinesh Bhattarai and Foreign Affairs Secretary Shanker Das Bairagi and were among other key Nepali officials who took part in UNGA sessions.

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