MP Acharya Stresses Need for Criminal Justice System to Reform Offenders

Kathmandu. Ruling party Rastriya Swatantra Party MP Mohanlal Acharya has emphasized that the country's criminal justice system should adopt a policy of hating crime but reforming criminals. 

Participating in the discussion on the 'Report on the State of Human Rights of Children in Child Correction Homes' in the Law, Justice and Human Rights Committee meeting held at Singha Durbar today, he said so. MP Acharya also drew the government's attention to the legal complexities related to children and the existing condition of correction homes. 

MP Acharya mentioned that issues related to children are scattered across various laws and emphasized the need to create an 'Integrated Umbrella Law' (Integrated Law). He claimed that although Article 38 of the constitution guarantees proportional inclusive representation of women and marginalized communities, the provisions have not been fully complied with after studying 43 laws enacted since 2072 BS. 

Presenting statistics that about half of the children in child correction homes are over 18 years of age, he said that they should be segregated according to age groups. Stating that keeping adults and minors in the same place will create further problems, he suggested that the government should regulate and coordinate with correction homes operated by civil society and the private sector and utilize them. 

He expressed concern over the lack of coordination among various ministries of the state and the lack of expected cooperation between the federal, provincial, and local levels in the federal system. MP Acharya emphasized that the state should be sensitive to creating an environment where children involved in child delinquency can reintegrate into society without feeling inferior and live a life like ordinary citizens.