Local Levels Urged to Strengthen Human Rights Protection and Promotion

Dhangadhi: Emphasis has been placed on making the role of local levels more effective in the protection, promotion, and assurance of human rights.

During a discussion and interaction program organized by the National Human Rights Commission (Sudurpaschim Province Office, Dhangadhi) with elected representatives and human rights focal persons from local levels in Kailali, participants stressed that human rights must be prioritized at every stage, from the drafting of local laws to their implementation.

Key issues raised during the program included the mandatory publication of local laws in the official gazette, systematic maintenance of records related to their publication, dissemination, and distribution, and the need to ensure citizens’ easy access to information.

Discussions also covered the implementation of the 22 exclusive powers of local levels listed in Schedule-8 of the Constitution and the drafting of related laws. Participants also reviewed the laws enacted by local levels to date and their implementation status.

Furthermore, deliberations were held on implementing human rights-related provisions contained in the National Human Rights Commission’s Sixth National Action Plan, the National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights, and the Local Governance Performance Evaluation Procedure.

The interaction also focused on forming coordination committees at the local level to identify and resolve human rights issues, defining the roles of monitoring and evaluation committees, and enhancing coordination between the Commission and local governments.

The program was attended by Tika Kumari Chaudhary, Chief of the District Coordination Committee, Kailali; chiefs and deputy chiefs of local levels in Kailali; all 19 ward chairpersons of Dhangadhi; and human rights focal persons.

Participating elected representatives shared information about the work being carried out in their respective local levels regarding law-making, gazette publication, and human rights protection.