National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) of Nepal has been re-appointed to the post of International Coordination Committee (ICC) of the National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) of the Asia-Pacific region.
The tenth meeting of the NHRIs of Asia-Pacific region re-appointed Nepal to the ICC during a three-day meeting (Aug. 24-26) held in Mongolia, a statement issued by the NHRC on Monday said.
NHRC’s re-election came despite questions raised by some rights groups regarding its independence.
Delhi-based Asian Centre for Human Rights had alleged NHRC of Nepal “as the most discredited NHRI in the region.”
New office bearers of the Commission refute such allegations. They have urged rights groups to watch their performance first.
During the Mongolia meeting, chairman of NHRC Nayan Bahadur Khatri presented a report on the situation of human rights in Nepal while acting Secretary of the Commission, Kedar Prasad Poudyal, made a presentation on the role of the Commission in preventing torture.
NHRC member Sudip Pathak also took part in the meeting.
The NHRC delegation will also take part in the 13th Asia-Pacific regional workshop on protection and promotion of human right that is to kick off in Beijing on Tuesday, the statement said. nepalnews.com by Aug 29 05