Rights defenders urge strong role for NHRC

Leading human rights defenders have emphasised that the main priority of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) at the moment should be to ensure that the upcoming constitution makes human rights as one of its fundamental features.

Speaking at a discussion on the three-year 'strategic plan' unveiled by the NHRC Tuesday, they said that rights watchdog should reach out to all parts of the country and that it should lobby for a clear and strong mandate.

They also suggested the NHRC to sensitise the members of the Constituent
Assembly (CA) on human rights issues.

Chairman of the Interim Constitution Drafting Committee, Laxman Aryal, former NHRC members, former ambassadors, chairs of National Women's Commission and National Dalit Commission were among the participants of the discussion. nepalnews.com May 13 08