The commitment to human rights recommendations has reached an all-time low, as reported by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), which issued 444 directives in four years, with none fully executed. Although some departmental actions have occurred, these don’t compensate victims or provide legal actions as mandated. Governments have disregarded legal obligations to implement NHRC recommendations, resulting in a worsening situation.
The NHRC, led by Chief Commissioner Top Bahadur Magar since February 2021, has recorded the lack of response to vital recommendations intended for justice and relief. Shyam Babu Kafle, head of the legal department, stated that victims still await interim relief recommended years ago, highlighting a troubling trend of negligence by authorities.
Since the NHRC’s establishment in 2000, out of 1,573 recommendations, only 15.3% have seen full implementation while 39.2% are partially addressed. A staggering 45.5% remain neglected, despite clear directives that compel government action.
As a remedy, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) has recently formed a mechanism to alleviate the implementation backlog. This new system, involving various governmental agencies, aims to quicken the response process, yet the delays persist in basic relief provisions.
Initial discussions around establishing a dedicated fund for the commission surfaced during the drafting of a new NHRC Act. However, Kafle noted that responsibility lies with the executive, and such funds are uncommon in national rights frameworks globally, leading to the decision against it.
The NHRC has issued 444 directives in the past four years, none of which have been fully implemented, contributing to a historic low in compliance with human rights recommendations. Although some actions have been taken, significant recommendations for victims’ relief remain neglected. The PMO is attempting to streamline processes, yet a lack of urgency and bureaucracy continues to hinder progress. A call for establishing a dedicated fund for victims was dismissed due to national policy norms.
The apparent disregard for human rights recommendations by successive governments is alarming, with none of the NHRC’s 444 recent directives fully implemented. Despite existing laws compelling action, the slow bureaucratic processes and reluctance for interim relief further compound the problem. A newly formed mechanism by the PMO seeks to address this backlog, yet it remains to be seen if any tangible change will come from it.
Original Source: kathmandupost.com
