At a time when the government is facing criticism at national and international level for its dismal performance for the protection of human rights, Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, Niranjan Thapa has said human rights is the 1990 Constitution’s first priority.

Niranjan Thapa (File photo)

Niranjan Thapa (File photo)
Speaking at the inauguration of a two-day seminar organised by the Ministry in Pokhara on Friday for creating awareness on human rights laws among the government officers, Minister Thapa said, “In the first place a constitution cannot be written if human rights is not given first priority where rule of law governs.”

He said the 1990 Constitution is alive just because of the judiciary and added the first responsibility of the security organs is to protect the human rights, reports said.

Although the security personnel are blamed for violation of the human rights, they have not crossed the international human rights law,” he said, adding: “The government has initiated action against them when it is found that they have violated the human rights.”

Defending the February 1 royal takeover he said that the King had taken the February 1 move for conservation of the 1990 Constitution.

Stating that no party should prevent people from exercising their adult franchise, he urged the parties who have announced to boycott the elections to join it.

The government will lend its full support to the election commission which is determined to hold the election, he said.

The government is holding the municipal polls on February 8 despite the call from seven political parties to boycott it and Maoists’ threats to disrupt it.