News Commentary: Break the barriers to human rights

Kathmandu, Dec 21: To begin with, three news stories to spotlight on. Prime Minister Sushila Karki expressed deep grief on December 6 over an incident that a girl in Bardiya district took her life, which later resulted in the death of her 61-year-old father. Such tragedies had occurred over the abortive struggle of the girl to receive citizenship certificate.

The PM, as the Head of the Government, had to apologise to the citizens over the deaths, reminding, "It is a matter of sheer disgrace to our society."

Second, the Nepal Police shared its latest report that most of the sexual violence against women (VAW) was perpetrated by the known persons (relatives, neighbours).

Third, the Global Hunger Index (GHI)-2025 ranked Nepal 72nd out of 123 countries. It showed Nepal witnessed improving food security, but still slow off the mark in nutrition, resulting in child stunting.

The above stories are only few examples to reflect on Nepal's status on human rights- protection, promotion and fulfilment. We have sufficiently written in the national charter, pledged in the international human rights instruments and repeated in everyday speeches. However, the reality is bitter. Therefore, time has come to break the barriers to enjoyment of human rights.

The first case of the deaths- of daughter and father- was occurred because of hostile public service agencies. The girl was fazed and frazzled in her struggle to acquire citizenship certificate. As the country was preparing to observe the Human Rights Day after some days, PM Karki on December 6 was bound to apologize over the incident. As the PM argued the judicial and administrative hassles were behind such tragic incidents. Then the PM directed the Home Minister to probe into the case seriously and take action accordingly.

Rising VAW a serious concern

Similarly, the law enforcement agency further shared the data along with trend during a programme at its Headquarters, marking the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence on November 30. As per its report, the cases of domestic violence were rising alarmingly in Nepal, underscoring the urgency of safer homes and supportive families for women. Number of violence on rise is also the indicator that women have begun breaking vicious silence over the violence they are perpetrated. It underlines that interventions on women empowerment are meager and those in place are yet to result in positive. Identification of gaps and stringent actions in place are required to reduce the VAW.

In the third story- as the GHI showed, child stunting is a manifestation of our nutrition system which is subpar. It must press the government and concerned stakeholders on quality investment in children's health. The poverty coupled with shrinking agricultural products, health facilities concentrated in urban and city centres, health and hygiene in short supply are some evident challenges before this. These further warrant serious study on what we missed in development debate and practices. Development divide must be narrowed.

Urgency of jobs within country

Moreover, the exodus of Nepali youths- over 2000 every day- is equally distressing that we are not able to retain them by creating jobs within country, while the constitution has mentioned well on the rights to employment. We have not connected the youths' energy and skills to industry and entrepreneurship. Where are the gaps? Is it because the study and skills they gain at school/university and training institutes different and irrelevant to Nepali industries and job markets?

Similarly, irrespective of the remittance flow the fuels our national economy, the plight of returnee migrants is woeful. They share the quandary and disappointment to get reintegrated in the family and community after their home return. Some return with money while some with more distress than money. The financially better ones are unaware how to utilize their hard earned money after return while those with more distress face sheer difficulty in family and social reintegration.

Gen Z movement and human rights

Currently, we have a civilian government that is mandated to hold election to the House of Representatives (HoR). Election is the most significant opportunity for the citizens to exercise their rights, and bringing able leaders in the parliament to stabilize the system and spur good governance initiatives. Irrespective of the major mandate of March 5 election, the government cannot avoid its responsibility of ensuring human rights to its citizens. Creating a favourable atmosphere for election by taking political parties in confidence and paying heed to human rights should therefore go side by side.

The politically fragile situations always pose bigger threats to human rights. Protection, promotion and fulfillment of human rights become a difficult task when violence breaks out over political resentment. The protests occurred during the September 8-9 Gen Z movement took lives of over 72 persons and damaged billions of property. The Gen Z movement was launched against bad governance and parties' inaction to secure corruption-free system. It was indeed the movement for guarantee of citizen's dignified life, employment, smooth public service, wise use of citizen's tax, which is directly related to the human rights.

The Gen Z movement has therefore further reinforced the demands before State mechanisms to be aware of citizen's rights and deliver honestly. The people have piled hope on the present government that it heeds their demands and protects rights. It is also a testing time of the State agencies, which used to shirk or excuse over political interferences in the past, whether they carry out their responsibilities effectively to protect and promote human rights.