Guarding Rights

December 10 is being observed throughout the world as the International Human Rights Day. This Day is being observed in Nepal as well with a variety of programmes and with pledges and commitments for creating better situation for full realisation of universally accepted human rights. Since democracy was restored ten years ago, the human rights situation in Nepal has gradually improved. People have been fully enjoying their civil and political rights and efforts also have been underway for the full realisation of other rights. His Majesty’s Government is fully committed to the protection and promotion of people’s fundamental human rights. The Constitution of the Kingdom of Nepal has guaranteed the fundamental human rights of the people. The status of human rights is relatively better in Nepal compared to other new democracies. However, there are certain sectors, where attention still needs to be given, for which the government has already expressed commitment to make its sincere efforts. Nepal has already ratified several United Nations and other international instruments concerning human rights including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, UN Convention of the elimination of All forms of Discrimination and some other important documents. Nepal has taken several initiatives to ensure protection and promotion of human rights. As child labour is one of the violations of human rights, the government has already enacted some laws and taken measures to discourage and eliminate child labour. It has also taken measures to eliminate all forms of discrimination against women and other sectors of society and ensure equal opportunities to all people-irrespective of their religion, ethnicity, caste, colour and sex. Nepal’s position and record on human rights has also been well appreciated at several international forums. However, the recent years have seen some deterioration of human rights in some parts of the country, despite full commitment of the government to protect rights of the people. An extremist group has been involved in violating people’s rights in the name of insurgency, which has been a subject of concern and worries for all, including the government and human rights activists. Such elements have forced children to drop schools and join their armed group and intimidated and killed several civilians against their will, which is clear violation of universal human rights. As rightly observed by Deputy Prime Minister Ram Chandra Poudel the other day, it is the duty of state as well as people to safeguard people’s rights and freedoms, which are under attack from terrorist elements.

Enhance Cooperation

There are many challenges facing the people of South Asia. Apart from tackling persistent issues like poverty alleviation, the region also has to be better prepared to deal with the changing economic scenario in the global context. In this regard, an organisation like the South Asian Association for Regional Co-operation (SAARC) has a very meaningful role to play, in not only bringing the diverse nations of the region on a common platform, but also in making them better prepared to surmount the common problems facing them. It is encouraging that the Association, which was formed fifteen years back, has succeeded in forging a consensus in dealing with major issues like poverty alleviation, drug trafficking, terrorism and also the protection of rights of women and children. Speaking at a function the other day to mark the SAARC Charter Day and the Fifteenth Anniversary of the signing of the Charter, Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala rightly observed that there are good reasons to be optimistic by the progress and achievements made by SAARC in the past one and a half decades. It is indeed true that from being an organisation which largely focussed on technical issues in the beginning, this regional body has now gone on to encompass both government agencies and different NGOs to fulfil the common goals of the region.

There is no doubt that in spite of the many drawbacks that are seen in the countries of South Asia, yet, they also hold much potential, specially in areas of hydro-power development and trade. But to realise the full potential of such assets for the benefit of all the nations of the region, there must be co-operation and co-ordination among the SAARC members. For example, keeping in mind the breaking down of barriers in international trade, arrangements like SAPTA (South Asian Preferential Trading Arrangement) for now and SAFTA (South Asian Free Trading Area) in the future, have to be activated fully in making the nations of the region better prepared for such developments. As SAARC has been instrumental in promoting conditions for meaningful regional co-operation, more momentum should be given to the various activities of the organisation and efforts should also be made to hold the routine meetings of the body as scheduled. On this solemn occasion, it is the duty of all member nations to make a pledge to work together, for the brighter future of all citizens of South Asia.