Human Rights Forum Nepal (HURFON) is a website presenting links to articles on Nepal's human rights issues as well as important background information. The link collection has been started in September 2016.

HURFON is a subsite of Nepal Research. Its name goes back to an organisation that had been founded in Germany in 1990 but that had to be dissolved some years later. Issues of the periodical of this earlier organisation that had been published under the name Nepal Forum have been archived on this website.

Imprint

Nepal Research Archives:

• Nepal bibliography
  (24/07/2019)
  
• Lists of new publications
  

Informal Sector Service Center (INSEC)

INSEC Online (including Human Ringhts Yearbook, etc.)

NEFAD – National Network of Families of Disappeared and Missing Nepal

Tarai Human Rights Defenders Alliance (THRD Alliance)

Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC)

Amnesty International (AI), Nepal website

Human Rights Watch (HRW), Nepal subsite

Landslide victims await relocationAlmost 700 houses were destroyed and 1,771 partially damaged by landslides triggered  by heavy rainfall in Kalikot last year, by Tularam Pandey (kp 14/01/2021)

Govt claims it’s working to address woes of conflict victims (ht 14/01/2021) [Measured against the government's inaction for years, this statement sounds like a mockery!]

Cops thrash man black and blue (ht 12/01/2021)

Students study in roofless classrooms at this Salyan school : A strong wind had blown away the roof of the school building some eight months ago, by Biplab Maharjan (kp 11/01/2021)

Bajura's Haliya community files complaint with NHRC seeking rights to live (ht 10/01/2021)

Women hit by pandemic, domestic violence at high risk of trafficking : Traffickers have been using the Jamunaha border in Banke to smuggle girls and women to India on the pretext of sending them abroad for jobs, anti-trafficking officials say, by Madhu Shahi (kp 09/01/2021)

Bajura local government seeks religious leaders’ help to stop child marriage, by Basanta Pratap Singh (kp 08/01/2021)

Families displaced by Bheri-Babai diversion project deprived of compensation, by Chandani Kathayat (kp 08/01/2021)

Prison infrastructure construction gains pace (ht 08/01/2021)

Youths demanding justice to Nirmala Pant arrested from PM Oli’s mass assembly (kh 08/01/2021), Seven held from Oli’s event for wearing t-shirts with slogans demanding justice for Nirmala Pant : People who attended the function say they were not allowed to wear anything black, even caps or masks, by Mohan Budhaair (kp 09/01/2021) [Many authoritarian politicians are prone to such misbehaviour. Moreover, he must once again put up with the question of whether he personally is deliberately trying to prevent the crime against Nirmala Pant from being solved!]

Drawing a line in the sand : A year after Dilip Mahato was killed by the sand mafia, his family still seeks justice, and illegal mining continues unabated, by Bhrikuti Rai (nt 08/01/2021)

Hard life for the disabled : Nepal is failing to adequately protect persons with disabilities from discrimination and marginalisation, by Dev Datta Joshi (kp 07/01/2021)

FNJ flays journalists’ arrest in Kathmandu (ht 07/01/2021)

COVID pandemic worsens citizens’ right to employment (ht 07/01/2021)

Bardibas villagers grapple with drinking water shortage : Around 400 families have been facing water shortages for the last five decades, by Sunita Baral (kp 07/01/2021)

Despite quotas, hill Brahmins disproportionately land civil service jobs : In fiscal year 2019-20, 28 percent of applications for civil service jobs were from the community but 45 percent of those recruited were from it. This has been a trend for past few years, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp 06/01/2021) [If one also takes gender into account, the disproportionality in favour of male Bahuns is even much greater!]

Families of flood victims still living in tents (ht 06/01/2021)

Child labour free zone proposals sought from local bodies (ht 06/01/2021)

Lumbini to expand access to drinking water (ht 06/01/2021)

Discrimination against Bajura elderly with leprosy; forced to live in cow-shed (ht 06/01/2021)

May such day never come again!, by Madhu Paudel (kh 06/01/2021)

Local authorities in Achham intensify anti-Chhaupadi campaign, by Menuka Dhungana (kp 05/01/2021)

Save Ganga Maya, ensure justice for her, says NHRC (ht 05/01/2021)

When women are not paid : Until and unless Nepali women are relieved of their burden of unpaid domestic works, gender equality in workforce will remain a mirage and the goal of women empowerment elusive, by Roshani Giri (rn 05/01/2021)

Incidents of sexual assault rampant in camps for flood displaced in Surkhet : A few cases get reported but a majority of them are settled within camps, families displaced by the 2014 floods say, by Chandani Kathayat (kp 04/01/2021) [Further proof of the Oli government's lack of sense of responsibility! Oli always speaks only of his rights, not of his duties!]

Just transition : Policymakers seem unaware that their decisions  are capable of causing  indescribable suffering, by Madhukar Upadhya (kp 04/01/2021)

Proposed amendment on visit visa law is deeply flawed, by Karan Kunwar and Indu Dhungana (rep 03/01/2021)

Religious minorities, marginalised people more vulnerable to humanitarian crisis (ht 02/01/2021)

Nirmala Panta's Case Revisited : Apathy delays justice (rep 02/01/2021)

Human rights matter : Recent events show how important it is for the countries in the world to uphold human rights, by Simone Galimberti (rep 02/01/2021)

Protests called for release of eight people convicted in 2015 Tikapur incident : The individuals who have been jailed for life are ‘political’ prisoners, struggle committee says, by Tika R Pradhan (kp 02/01/2021)

With no House, amendment to transitional justice law, as per court order, remains uncertain : The government is preparing to extend the terms of the commissioners assigned to look into conflict-era cases once again. Why not bring an ordinance to amend the law as ordered by the Supreme Court in 2015 instead, victims say, by Binod Ghimire (kp 01/01/2021), 2020, a tough year for Nepali journos, says FNJ (ht 01/01/2021)

Violence against women on the rise in Province 2, by Kamalesh Thakur (kh 31/12/2020)

NC demands immediate release of its cadre arrested for criticising NCP leader Mahesh Basnet on Facebook (rep 31/12/2020)

Chhau sheds destroyed in Achham (ht 29/12/2020)

Ganga Maya staging hunger strike for last six days, by Ujjwal Satyal (ht 27/12/2020)

Nepal child marriages spike during pandemic : Faced with the economic fallout of the pandemic, under-age marriages have increased, by Marty Logan and Shraddha Shree Maharjan (nt 25/12/2020)

Expedite action against child labour: MoFAGA (ht 25/12/2020)

‘Living Goddess’ post vacant in Nepal’s Bhaktapur, by Ishwor Kaji Khaiju (ae 25/12/2020)

As winter bites, hardship of Lidi landslide survivors in Sindhupalchok worsens, by Anish Tiwari (kp 24/12/2020), It’s cold outside : It is time we asked ourselves whether we are prepared enough to deal with this annual hazard (kp 25/12/2020)

Hubby strikes wife to death in Panchthar (kh 24/12/2020)

New rules for providing land to landless Dalits, squatters (ht 23/12/2020)

Rapist father sentenced to life in prison (kh 23/12/2020)

Man from Palpa village charged with raping sister for seven years (ht 23/12/2020)

Inmates being mistreated in Gaur prison (ht 23/12/2020)

NHRC calls for paying outstanding dues to sugarcane farmers (ht 23/12/2020)

People from LGBT community suffering from stress (ht 23/12/2020)

Violence On Girl Child Increases In Kaski (rn 22/12/2020)

Kailali landslide survivors say government left them high and dry : Around 100 families have moved to the Tarai plains  and set up a camp inside a community forest, by Mohan Budhaair (kp 21/12/2020)

Chhaugoth demolition drive gathers pace (rep 21/12/2020)

‘Implement recommendation on LGBTI’ (ht 20/12/2020)

Extrajudicial killings : Court order to form mechanism could provide justice to victims’ kin; Such crimes have so far been investigated by Nepal Police or a task force, but perpetrators are hardly ever punished as investigations are not honest, human rights activists say, by Binod Ghimire (kp 19/12/2020) [In a state where even those in the highest offices do not feel bound by the constitution and laws, and where supposedly binding statements constantly turn out to be lies, the close links between politics and crime prevent any justice for victims!]

Workers still pay hefty sums for jobs abroad : Even years after ‘free visa and free ticket’ policy was  rolled out, most workers haven’t benefited from it, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 19/12/2020)

Nepal waits for an unequal Citizenship Law : An international policy perspective on gender-based discrimination in the country’s citizenship Law, by Ajay Pradhan (nt 19/12/2020)

Nepali in Saudi Arabia rescued after 12 years : Domestic worker Lilamaya Dhimal calls her former Saudi employer “a monster”, by Upasana Khadka and Marty Logan (nt 18/12/2020)

Rights groups say Miklajung teacher murder premeditated : Two weeks on, police have yet to arrest the members of the Netra Bikram Chand-led Communist Party of Nepal who abducted and murdered Rajendra Kumar Shrestha, by Binod Bhandari (kp 18/12/2020)

Supreme Court not hearing case against Speaker Sapkota (kh 18/12/2020) [A typical case of denial of justice! Without clarification of this case, Sapkota should never have been appointed Speaker of Parliament in a democratic state! However, it has only been 15 years since the crime was committed...]

Cases Of Women Trafficking In Name Of Foreign Employment On The Rise, by Mukunda Gaure (rn 18/12/2020)

Helpless haliya struggling for lack of money (ht 18/12/2020)

Bridegroom, relatives held for child marriage (ht 17/12/2020)

Four arrested on charge of sexual abuse in Bhaktapur (rep 17/12/2020)

Old lady found abandoned in Tinkune dies (rep 17/12/2020)

Police Inspector held for performing forceful abortion (kh 17/12/2020)

Minister Gyawali yet again says amendment to transitional justice law soon : Conflict victims and experts doubt the amendment will be presented before Parliament anytime soon and it will do away with provisions of amnesty for perpetrators of rights abuse, by Binod Ghimire (kp 16/12/2020)

Rape cases increasing in Banke (ht 16/12/2020)

Pandemic could hit goal of graduating to developing country status, report says : Human development report stresses enhanced roles of provincial, local governments to minimise development gaps; The report also casts doubt on Nepal achieving United Nations Sustainable Development Goals by 2030, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp 14/12/2020) [see Nepal Human Development Report 2020]

Human Rights National Magna Meet concludes : 45-point declaration calls for discouraging heinous crimes (ht 14/12/2020)

Govt frames compulsory free education rules (ht 14/12/2020)

Case filed against a judge offering clean chit to ‘Siddha Baba’ (kh 13/12/2020)

Government failed its people during pandemic, rights organisations say : International Commission of Jurists points out a series of missteps by the government, from making light of the disease, denying free tests and care to failing to provide social safety net to the vulnerable groups, by Binod Ghimire (kp 12/12/2020)

Form ‘new body’ to probe extra judicial killings: Supreme Court : Apex court directs govt not to include police officers in it (kp 12/12/2020)

Ordinance amends law on rape but fails to recognise rape of boy child and sexual minorities : Provision to legally recognise rape of only a woman or a girl child retained despite authorities wanting to change that provision to ‘person’. That could have had other implications, by Binod Ghimire (kp 11/12/2020)

Rights violation rampant in Nepal, says AHRC (ht 11/12/2020) [See AHRC report: The Government of Nepal has been using the Covid-19 Pandemic to Exercise Control, to Commit Human Rights Violations and to Deny Justice to Victims of Human Rights Abuses]

Govt urged to investigate custodial deaths (ht 11/12/2020)

Teacher files sexual abuse case against principal (ht 11/12/2020)

Women Forced To Stay In Cave, Open With Abolition Of Chhaugoth (rn 11/12/2020) [If men cannot stay indoors with women during their periods, then please let the men spend this time outdoors or in caves!!]

Reflecting on the past years : Our political class should feel ashamed for having let down the Nepali people for so long, by Mohna Ansari (kp 10/12/2020)

जात–व्यवस्थाको जाँतोमा मानवअधिकार : अधिकांश राजनीतिक शक्ति दलितमाथि भएका अन्यायविरुद्ध नबोल्नु विभेदकारी जात–व्यवस्थाको पक्षपोषण गर्नु हो [Human rights in the mill of caste system : The fact that most of the political forces do not speak out against the injustice done to the Dalits is to support the discriminatory caste system], by JB Bishwakarma and Rup Sunar (np 10/12/2020)

AI Nepal Starts Campaign Urging PM Oli To Probe Incidents Of 'Custodial Deaths' (rn 10/12/2020), AI Nepal starts campaign urging PM Oli to probe incidents of ‘custodial deaths’ (kh 10/12/2020)

“I am not angry at what happened to Nabaraj. I am scared that it will happen to me”, by Binayak Sundas (rep 09/12/2020)

Incidences of sexual violence on the rise; 4,000 girls raped in 4 years : 16 Day Campaign against Gender Based Violence, by Sabina Karki (kh 09/12/2020)

Country’s poor human rights situation continues: NHRC (ht 08/12/2020) [see report in Nepali]

Education Ministry continues action against two bodies for publishing commission report : A day after seeking legal proceedings against the two for violating copyright provisions, it asks major donors about their ties with them, by Binod Ghimire (kp 08/12/2020) [The state is ours, says the Oli government. Civil society has to shut up or face action!], Government recommends action against two NGOs (ht 08/12/2020), Publish officially : There is a lot of speculation that the report was shelved under pressure from the private institutions (ht 09/12/2020)

Exams or no exams : Students should not be made the victims of the older generation’s lethargy (kp 08/12/2020)

67 per cent women with disabilities fall victim to violence, states NFDN (ht 07/12/2020)

Ignored, ergo ignorant: Without intervention, the plight continues, by Durga Innani (ht 07/12/2020)

Synonym of a woman is “helpless,” says a government textbook, and Facebook users are outraged (rep 07/12/2020)

Lack of pandemic contingency plan has led to rise in maternal deaths, experts say : More than 17 women have been dying every month due to birth related complications since March, by Arjun Poudel (kp 06/12/2020)

Addressing Rights To Safe Abortion, by Shyam P Lohani (rn 06/12/2020)

Attacking the system, one step at a time : Oli administration’s actions are against constitutional  provisions and pose a threat to democratic  principles and norms, observers say, by Anil Giri (kp 04/12/2020)

Transitional justice is once again being used as a tool for political one-upmanship, conflict victims say : After reminding Dahal of it as a ‘very sensitive issue’, the Oli government reaches out to the victims. But victims and analysts wonder if it is just a ploy to threaten his opponent, by Binod Ghimire (kp 03/12/2020)

Fourteen years of CPA: What did Nepal achieve? The issues that plagued pre-war Nepal still find resonance in contemporary times. It is important to work with civil society and victims to exert pressure on political elites to ensure full implementation of CPA, by Raunak Mainali and Prakash Bhattarai (ht 03/12/2020)

Disability rights during Covid-19 crisis : Why are the diverse needs of persons with disabilities not addressed even during the pandemic? Who are actually responsible for this?, by Obindra B Chand and Sudeep Uprety (rep 03/12/2020)

Govt urged to guarantee right to housing (ht 03/12/2020)

Prevent child abuse : It’s hard to gauge the magnitude of the paedophilia problem but is said to have increased after the 2015 earthquake (ht 03/12/2020)

Women commission defunct as cases of violence against women continues : Since it was elevated to a constitutional body in the new constitution, it has not had full quota of commissioners, and since 2017 it hasn’t had any office bearers, by Binod Ghimire (kp 01/12/2020)

Murdered by caste : We have become accomplices to crimes against humanity and brought dishonour upon ourselves (kp 01/12/2020)

Six people arrested in connection with ‘honour killing’ of 17-year-old in Rautahat : The victim was living with her parents after divorcing her husband, police say, by Shiva Puri (kp 30/11/2020), Parents mastermind daughter’s murder to ‘save family honour’ (ht 30/11/2020)

Six including ward chairperson arrested for settling rape case in Baitadi (rep 29/11/2020)

Two women thrashed in Saptari district (ht 28/11/2020)

FoE defenders demand justice to victim journalists (kh 28/11/2020)

Judicial Committees working as local courts, by Bimal Prasad Pokhrel (kh 28/11/2020)

COVID-19 fallout: No money to fend off cold for mountainous people (kh 28/11/2020)

Father arrested on charge of raping 13-year-old daughter in Pokhara (rep 27/11/2020)

Teenager raped while out for fetching water from well : Village elders try to influence case tempting victim with 10gram gold (kh 27/11/2020)

In their wait for son, Baitadi women keep delivering babies : The reproductive health of the majority of women in the district is poor, with many  suffering from anaemia, uterine prolapse and other issues, health workers say. The pressure to bear a son compromises women’s mental health, officials say, by Tripti Shahi (kp 26/11/2020), No country for girl child : The perceived importance of having a son continues to exert manifold pressure on women (kp 27/11/2020)

14 rape cases in Gorkha in just four months; 10 girls under 16 years are among victims, by Narhari Sapkota (rep 26/11/2020)

Rapist father gets 37 years in prison (kh 26/11/2020)

Act now to address shadow pandemic of VAW, says WHO (ht 26/11/2020), End to gender-based violence sought (ht 26/11/2020)

Ensure right to life: NHRC (ht 26/11/2020)

Right to health : Advancing universal health coverage, by Jhabindra Bhandari (ht 26/11/2020)

Commissions lobby for term extension as justice eludes conflict victims : The term of the present set of commissioners ends in February but experts say without a political will to settle the tens of thousands of cases, there can be no progress, by Binod Ghimire (kp 25/11/2020)

Government strategy against VAW confined in papers, VAW cases increasing : 16-day campaign against VAW starts today, by Sabina Karki (kh 25/11/2020)

‘New labour standards crucial to fight violence and harassment at workplace’ (ht 25/11/2020)

Never-ending road to justice : In the absence of  political will, the process has been derailed systematically, by Susan Risal (kp 24/11/2020)

Six-year-old girl murdered after ‘rape’ in Mahottari, enraged locals torch house of accused (rep 24/11/2020), Three injured as police open fire on locals protesting against murder of minor in Mahottari (rep 24/11/2020), Six-year-old missing girl found dead; rape and subsequent murder suspected : Three persons injured on Tuesday as police opened fire at demonstrators demanding action against the guilty, by Sunita Baral (kp 25/11/2020), Local shot during Mahottari rape protest dies during treatment (ht 25/11/2020), Agitation Grips Bardibas Again (rn 25/11/2020), Situation tense in Bardibas as protests against rape, murder of minor continue : Demonstrators took to streets despite prohibitory order imposed by local administration, by Sunita Baral (kp 26/11/2020), UN urges relevant authorities to urgently follow due process, ensure perpetrator is booked (rep 26/11/2020), Protest continues against rape and murder of six-year-old girl : Demonstrators obstruct the traffic along the East-West Highway demanding justice  not just for the child but also for the man killed by police in Tuesday’s clash, by Sunita Baral (kp 27/11/2020), UN condemns girl’s rape, murder (ht 27/11/2020)

Mediators in rape cases will also face jail term, as per a new ordinance (kp 23/11/2020), Three-year jail for forcing reconciliation on rape victims (ht 23/11/2020), Combating rape culture : The latest ordinance is a positive step towards providing justice to victims of sexual violence (kp 24/11/2020), Rape is unreconcilable : The new provision in the ordinance will discourage village leaders from settling rape cases outside the court of law (ht 24/11/2020)

World Children’s Day : Reflecting on its meaning, by Simone Galimberti (ht 23/11/2020)

Decades and still no justice : Not a single victim has realised any form of justice or acknowledgement in the 14 years since the peace deal, by Suman Adhikari (kp 22/11/2020) [But the perpetrators and those responsible live in luxury and leading positions through which they know how to prevent any justice!]

Dalit family thrashed in Siraha; one critical (ht 22/11/2020)

Two arrested on the charge of rape (kh 22/11/2020)

574 street-children rescued since 2016 (kh 22/11/2020)

Fourteen years on, victims of the decade-long armed conflict are still awaiting justice : On eve of the anniversary of the signing of the peace deal, rights bodies warn that delay  in concluding transitional justice process could be investigated by international courts, by Binod Ghimire (kp 21/11/2020), Failure to prosecute perpetrators promoting fresh abuses, warn rights groups (ht 21/11/2020), Rights bodies accuse Nepal of stalling justice for conflict-era crimes (rep 21/11/2020)

NHRC calls for protection of child rights (kh 21/11/2020), Nepal to be declared free of street children in current fiscal year: Minister Shrestha (kh 21/11/2020)

Journalists on the receiving end of COVID-19 crisis (kh 21/11/2020)

Kathmandu city officials forcefully shift free meal distribution venue : Only 20 percent people show up to get food at the new venue in Thapathali, by Anup Ojha (kp 20/11/2020)

Action sought against Gaur massacre perpetrators (ht 20/11/2020)

Teenage girl ‘hanged to death after gang rape’ in Kapilvastu, by Kiranman Bajracharya (rep 19/11/2020)

Three-year-old baby girl murdered in Makawanpur (rep 19/11/2020), 3-year-old girl raped and murdered in Makawanpur (kh 19/11/2020), Four-year-old raped and murdered in Makwanpur, by Subash Bidari (kp 20/11/2020)

Ensure right to justice of conflict victims: NHRC (kh 19/11/2020)

Cooperative campaign empowers freed Kamalaris in western Tarai districts : Forty-seven cooperatives have been established in Dang, Banke, Bardiya, Kailali and Kanchanpur for the upliftment of the former Kamalaris’ economic status, by Durgalal KC (kp 18/11/2020)

सामान्यीकरण : बढ्दो जातीय हिंसा तथा अपराधको कारण . मानव भएर जिउन पाउने नैसर्गिक अधिकार खोसेर समाज र राज्यसत्तामा रमाउनेहरूका विरुद्ध विद्रोह नगरुन्जेल दलित समुदायले सामाजिक न्याय नपाउने निश्चित छ [Generalization: Due to increasing ethnic violence and crime : It is certain that the Dalit community will not get social justice unless it revolts against those who rejoice in society and state power by depriving them of their natural right to live as human beings], by Prakash Bik (ka 18/11/2020)

Man held on charge of raping 14-year-old girl in capital (rep 18/11/2020)

बलात्कारीलाई जन्मकैद : बलात्कारलाई जन्मकैदको सजाय गर्ने, जाहेरी दरखास्त दर्ता नगर्ने प्रहरीलाई कारबाही गर्ने, जाहेरी दरखास्त लिन प्रहरी पीडितको घरमा जाने, बलात्कारको घटना मिलाउनेलाई बलात्कारीलाई हुने सजायको आधा सजाय गर्ने कानुन बनाउनुपर्‍यो [Rapist is sentenced to life imprisonment : A law had to be enacted to punish the rapist with life imprisonment, to take action against the police for not registering a complaint, to go to the victim's house to file a complaint, and to punish the rapist with half the punishment for raping the rapist.], by Balram KC (ka 15/11/2020)

Provincial, local officials target free speech, media : Advocates of free speech fear the culture that trickled down from the federal government will ultimately lead to a state of censorship, by Binod Ghimire (kp 14/11/2020)

Open area feeding for poor to close from Nov 17 (kh 14/11/2020) [And where will the mayor provide the hungry with food in the future? After all, it is his job!], Kathmandu Metropolitan City doesn’t have plan to feed the poor, by Anup Ojha (kp 15/11/2020)

Patients of chronic ailments and accident injuries deprived of care due to pandemic : Immunisation programmes have also been disrupted in Lumbini Province, by Nabin Paudel (kp 13/11/2020)

54 women missing since March lockdown (ht 13/11/2020), 247 missing from Bara (ht 13/11/2020)

Minister’s ‘dignified’ journalism jibe draws flak : Government spokesman and communications minister Parbat Gurung says media was promoting ‘negative’ news, by Binod Ghimire (kp 11/11/2020)

Man arrested for raping 7-year-old in Kathmandu (kh 11/11/2020)

Empty food depots force Mugu folks to buy rice at higher price : Subsidised rice meant for the villages hit by food shortage is being sold elsewhere, by Raj Bahadur Singh (kp 10/11/2020)

Materialising Zero Hunger Challenge, by Uttam Maharjan (rn 10/11/2020)

Denied citizenship, stateless Nepal residents recount tales of woe (ht 09/11/2020), Pass bill soon : The failure to enact a new law should not be a reason for depriving so many citizens of their inherent right (ht 10/11/2020)

‘Rights situation deplorable during pandemic’ (ht 09/11/2020)

Inmates facing hard time in Rautahat prison (ht 09/11/2020)

Protect jailirds : The government cannot abscond from its duties of upholding human rights amidst Covid-19 (kp 09/11/2020)

Incomplete integrated model settlement handed over to impoverished families : The model settlement in Gramthan Rural Municipality, an open defecation-free local  unit in Morang district, does not have any toilets, by Deo Narayan Sah (kp 08/11/2020)

More fugitives getting caught across country amid the pandemic : With loss of jobs abroad, they have been returning home only for police to catch them. But this has added to the burden of overstretched prison system, by Binod Ghimire (kp 08/11/2020)

प्रतिवेदनले जगाएको आशा [Hope raised by the report[, by Charan Prasai (nag 08/11/2020)

Chhaupadi Still In Practice In Few Villages Of Terai, by Chandani Acharya (rn 08/11/2020)

Held hostage in Saudi Arabia for over 15 years, a Nepali woman pleads for rescue, by Raju Adhikari (rep 07/11/2020)

Kathmandu city orders all schools to teach Nepal Bhasha, by Binod Ghimire (kp 06/11/2020) [To put this into perspective : Newars constitute about 21% of Kathmandu's population; only 17% speak Newari as mother tongue; more than 8% speak Tamang; more than 20% have other mother tongues than Nepali and Newari! The promotion of all ethnic mother tongues would be important!]

Report on ways to address COVID impact submitted (ht 05/11/2020)

राजनीतिमा अपराधीकरण, by Sri Prasad Prasain (Rajdhani 04/11/2020)

HR groups urge govt to implement NHRC’s recommendation on human rights violators (rep 03/11/2020)

दलित आयोग गठनमा ढिलाइ : सरकारले कानुन निर्माण प्रक्रियामा दलित आयोगले खेल्न सक्ने भूमिकालाई छल्न खोजेको त होइन , by Sushil BK (ka 03/11/2020)

Kathmandu Metropolitan City to remove free food distribution from Khula Manch : Voluntary organisations who have been distributing food wonder how they  will now feed the hungry and want an alternative location, by Anup Ojha (kp 03/11/2020) [This shows all the irresponsibility of incompetent government and administration, that are only interested in personal power struggles and are completely indifferent to the people and the country!], KMC bars people from serving meals to needy (ht 03/11/2020), Mayor Shakya berates volunteers for distributing ‘unhygienic meals’ : Volunteers say mayor’s remark is baseless; rights activists call city’s ban on food distribution against people’s right to life, by Anup Ojha (kp 05/11/2020)

How young activists are trying to reshape the movement against sexual violence in Nepal : In a country with alarming rape statistics, where survivors of sexual violence fail to get justice, ‘Ajhai Kati Sahane’ hopes to bring about social change, by Ankit Khadgi (kp 03/11/2020)

Patan High Court bars arrest of “Vten” on charge of promoting vulgar language (rep 03/11/2020)

Rape, murder attempt cases filed against police constable in Doti (ht 03/11/2020)

Rape cases up in Dashain (ht 03/11/2020)

Two held for rape (ht 03/11/2020)

Transitional justice, conflict victims and human dignity : Nepal has failed miserably as a responsible state that is willing to investigate war-era atrocities, by Madhav Joshi (kp 02/11/2020)

मधेसमा पिटिएको पिटियै दलित समुदाय : प्रहरी र अदालतमा होइन, कथित पञ्चायतमा टुंगिन्छन् कुटपिटका घटना, by Bhola Paswan (np 02/11/2020)

Pandemic disproportionately affects women, girls (ht 01/11/2020)

Nepal records 367 rape cases in last six months, 77 percent victims are minors (kh 01/11/2020) [see monthly report by WOREC (in Nepali)]

संविधानका मौलिक हकहरुको औचित्य, by Bal Krishna Mainali (Nepal Samacharpatra 01/11/2020)

Impoverished families in Udayapur have no access to Covid-19 testing : Poor people with Covid-19-like symptoms forced to stay home as they can’t pay for expensive tests, by Dilliram Khatiwada (kp 30/10/2020)

Local government moves Musahar families to homes without basic amenities : Kankai Municipality has built 14 houses without road connectivity, electricity and water supply, by Parbat Portel (kp 30/10/2020)

बुहारी : लैंगिक विभेदको जीवन्त तस्बिर , by Ghambar Nepali (Nayan Patrika 30/10/2020)

Nepal Police HQ directs Cyber Bureau to take action against rapper ‘Vten’ (rn 29/10/2020)

‘NHRC report a positive step towards justice’ (ht 23/10/2020)

Media houses asked to provide salary, facilities to working journalists (ht 23/10/2020)

Nepal : Justice stalled for conflict victims. Amnesty International submission for the UN universal periodic review, 37th session of the UPR working group, January 2021 (Amnesty International 23/10/2020)

Nepal presents rosy picture in its Universal Periodic Review report amid poor rights record : Victims of the conflict, non-governmental organisations reject the government’s claims, by Binod Ghimire (kp 22/10/2020)

24 children rescued from India (rep 21/10/2020)

Eleven children rescued from children’s home in Kathmandu (kh 21/10/2020)

NHRC urges govt to ensure constitutional rights of citizens (kh 20/10/2020), INSEC Urges to Respect the Fundamental Rights to Health (INSEC 20/10/2020)

Do Rapists Deserve Death Penalty?, by Birendra Madai (rn 20/10/2020)

Civil aviation body proposes extra levy to fund provincial air connectivity scheme : The Human Rights Commission and parliamentary committees have, on different occasions, directed the government  to provide easy and affordable flight services to people in remote areas to fulfil its social obligation, by Sangam Prasain ( 19/10/2020)

National rights body probe finds yet another extra-judicial killing : State protection for guilty giving rise to such cases, activists say, by Binod Ghimire (kp 17/10/2020), Bhaktapur abduction accused killed in police custody: NHRC (ht 17/10/2020)

Authorities warned against settling rape case through reconciliation (ht 17/10/2020)

Rape cases continue to rise in Bara district (ht 17/10/2020)

Youths misbehave with girl, arrests sought (ht 17/10/2020)

To pile pressure for action, National Human  Rights Commission lists 286 violators : Rights abusers are also from conflict era and they could face national and global scrutiny as the government fails to implement the constitutional body’s recommendations, by Binod Ghimire (kp 16/10/2020), NHRC Makes Public Name Of Human Rights Violators (rn 16/10/2020)

Dalits stage protest against violence (ht 16/10/2020)

Man held for minor’s rape, killing (ht 16/10/2020)

Listen to rural women : Nepal must commit to uplifting the status of those at the bottom of society (kp 15/10/2020)

Suspension of DSP GC acquitted in Nirmala Pant case lifted (kh 15/10/2020)

Ostracized by entire village, a family in Siraha fights for justice after their mother is tortured for ‘witchcraft’, by Anjali Subedi (rep 15/19/2020)

Manels and the Nepali heart : The consistent case of only a few women being invited to speak at most conferences reeks of tokenism, by Deepak Thapa (kp 15/10/2020) [Even better, you should call it Tamanel, Tagadgari male panel!]

COVID-19’s impact on Dalit community in Nepal, by Binita Bishwakarma (News Himalaya 14/10/2020), Dalits suffer hardship, discrimination during pandemic, new study finds : A nationwide study on the impacts of Covid-19 pandemic on Dalits shows they have been hit hard because of various measures put in place to contain the spread of coronavirus, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 17/10/2020)

Nepal re-elected to UN Human Rights Council (rep 14/10/2020) [Given the numerous serious human rights violations in its own country, which the Oli government strictly refuses to combat, Nepal is still not qualified for this task!]

Online Misogynist Bullying Emerging as a Silent Pandemic in Nepal, by Deeksha Khatiwada (kh 14/10/2020)

FNJ threatens to launch stir against media houses (ht 14/10/2020)

Two-year project launched in Karnali and Province 2 to tackle gender-based violence (rep 14/10/2020)

Right To Information During Pandemic, by Mahendra Man Gurung (rn 13/10/2020) [The fundamental right to information is very often disregarded by the Oli government though it is guaranteed by the constitution!]

Witchcraft violence continues unabated across Nepal (ht 12/10/2020)

Child marriage: Time to reverse the trend, by by Bjorn Andersson and Jean Gough (ht 12/10/2020)

Police to intensify operation to prevent sexual harassment (ht 12/10/2020)

Exodus to India on Dashain eve as people fear starvation, by Dil Bahadur Chhatyal (rep 12/10/2020)

'Jaatko Prashna' courts controversy over Christain Aid Nepal connection (rep 12/10/2020)

Victims of crimes continue to be at the receiving end of panchayat justice : Most of them have no knowledge of legal proceedings while factors like lengthy legal process and financial burden drive them to seek justice from within the community, lawyers say, by Abdhesh Kumar Jha (kp 11/10/2020)

A crusader of Sanskrit education : Chandrakant Paudel’s frustration at the inertia of progress is something felt by many in rural areas, by Pramod Mishra (kp 11/10/2020)

UNFPA urges stakeholders to uphold rights of girls (ht 11/10/2020)

Lifer for rape of daughter (ht 11/10/2020)

Modes of resistance in Nepal : Dr KC raises his voice to fight for something the political leaders themselves should have attempted to sort out, by Abhi Subedi (kp 11/10/2020), Government reaches eight-point deal with Dr KC on 27th day of his hunger strike : Both sides signed the agreement late on Saturday to address most of the demands of the agitating doctor, by Binod Ghimire (kp 11/10/2020) [Nepal's dishonest politicians will also disregard this agreement, just as all governments have done in the past!]

‘The commission is completely under the shadow of patriarchy : ’Mohna Ansari on working at the National Human Rights Commission, the body’s failure to make bold changes and the rising rape cases in the country (interview) (kp 10/10/2020)

Caste aside, Dalits battle stigma : Nepal’s Dalits say ill-treatment and discrimination is worse among the educated in the city, by Nunuta Rai (nt 09/10/2020)

Father of Bijay Mahara claims he was forced to change complaint : The father of Bijay, who died in police custody, was promised monetary compensation and martyrdom for his son if he agreed to receive his body and change his statement, by Shiva Puri (kp 08/10/2020)

43-year-old man held on charge of raping seven-year-old girl in Kathmandu (rep 08/10/2020)

Women Alliance Calls For Stern Action Against Guilty Of VAW (rn 07/10/2020)

Crowded prisons have raised Covid-19 risk among inmates, by Binod Ghimire (kp 07/10/2020)

6.3 million Nepalis without citizenship (kh 05/10/2020) [A consequence of the narrow minded patriarchal Hindu thinking of Nepal's top Bahun politicians!!!], NRNA Europe Meeting urges parliament for prompt passage of law on Nepali citizenship (kh 05/10/2020)

Expect more rape and murder unless internal security is improved: Experts, by Anjali Subedi (rep 05/10/2020)

Women MPs lobby for harsher penalties for rape : As cases of sexual violence have continued to go up despite increased jail term, women lawmakers want rapists to be chemically castrated, by Binod Ghimire (kp 05/10/2020)

Why Govinda KC’s demands matter even more today as country battles the pandemic : Covid-19 has exposed Nepal’s fragile health system and the fasting doctor’s demands for years have been aimed  at making health care services accessible to all, by Binod Ghimire (kp 05/10/2020)

Two arrested for rape, hostage-taking (ht 05/10/2020), Two arrested on charge of gang-raping teenage girl in bus in Bhaktapur (rep 05/10/2020)

Tenants in the Valley face discrimination in the hands of home owners : Many tenants, especially health workers living in rented rooms in the Valley, fear getting kicked out if they contract the virus, by Anup Ojha (kp 04/10/2020)

Prisons at high risk of coronavirus infection: NHRC (kh 04/10/2020)

Patriarchal Mind-Set Impedes Women Empowerment, by Niyati Adhikari (rn 03/10/2020)

Get Tough With Rapists, by Bini Dahal (rn 02/10/2020)

Nepal Army soldier held on charge of assaulting Chepang youth in Chitwan National Park in July, by Ramesh Kumar Paudel (kp 01/10/2020)

Drinking water, power shortage hit Jumla jailbirds (ht 01/10/2020)

Ward secretary arrested on rape charge (kh 01/10/2020)

Govt offices told to abide by Right to Information Act (ht 30/09/2020)

Family refuses to accept the body of 12-year-old rape and murder victim : The accused, who is in custody, has not admitted to the crime, raising doubts about the police investigation, say family members, by Basanta Pratap Singh (kp 29/09/2020), Suspect in Bajhang girl rape, murder case confesses to crime : The suspect says he raped the 12-year-old and murdered her with a trident and hammer, by Basanta Pratap Singh (kp 01/10/2020)

Six NSU leaders arrested for staging protest outside Chinese Embassy (ht 29/09/2020) [Freedom of expression is only valid as long as the government allows it and the opinion is in line with the government's opinion!]

Father arrested on charge of raping daughter (rep 29/09/2020)

NC leadership barring women to take the lead: Arzoo Deuba (kh 29/09/2020)

Human Rights In Time Of COVID-19, by Jaya Shor Chapagain (rn 28/09/2020)

“Don’t let rapists walk free”, by Dipesh Shrestha (rep 28/09/2020)

In fighting the pandemic, the government has ignored other deadly health issues : Failure to envision the possible risks not only  pushed the country many years back but also lost  hard won achievements, experts say, by Arjun Poudel (kp 27/09/2020)

Convoluted court judgments often leave even lawyers scratching their heads : Legal experts stress the need to simplify the language in court orders, which are so wordy and long-winded that even they struggle to decipher them, let alone the general public, by Tika R. Pradhan (kp 27/09/2020),  [For the at least 56 percent of Nepali citizens for whom Nepali is not their mother tongue, the problem is likely to be much greater!]

UN rapporteurs concerned over proposed citizenship law : Some provisions seem discriminatory against women, and sexual minorities, they say, by Anil Giri (kp 26/09/2020)

Youths seek justice for 12-year-old girl killed after rape, by Monica Malla (rep 26/09/2020), Victim’s family does not wish to see her body before culprit is arrested, by Jagat Khadka (rep 27/09/2020), Bajhang girl killed after rape: Report (ht 28/09/2020)

Police arrest 17 supporters of Dr KC for mocking PM Oli (rep 26/09/2020)

For Nepali workers abroad, wait to return home gets longer and tiring : Nepali missions in labour destinations struggle to send Nepalis back as price of air tickets skyrocket due to government-imposed cap on the frequency of international flights, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 26/09/2020), 76,967 Nepalis Returned Home (rn 26/09/2020)

Flood victims in Surkhet await resettlement for past six years : Only a few families have received half the grant announced by the provincial government while the rest have received none, by Chandani Kathayat (kp 26/09/2020)

How controversial statements by lawmakers on sensitive issues go unchecked : A debate has started on the need for lawmakers to change their traditional mindsets, rather than just amend the laws and policies, by Binu Subedi (kp 25/09/2020), An open letter to Ram Narayan Bidari, by Andrea Upadhya (rep 30/09/2020)

Students of public schools deprived of education (ht 25/09/2020)

COVID-19 pushes more children into poverty (ht 25/09/2020)

Nepali workers stuck in no-man’s land : Migrants in the Gulf are caught between cruel employers and a heartless homeland (nt 25/09/2020)

Acid attackers to face jail term of upto 20 years and fine of Rs 1 million (rep 25/09/2020), Ordinance moots 20-year jail term for acid attack (ht 26/09/2020) [And what about strict control of acid selling?]

Locals in Jajarkot still using tuin to cross river for years (rep 25/09/2020)

Six cops to face music, by Prabhat Kumar Jha (ht 24/09/2020)

Why the state shows haughty contempt for a social crusader : The way Dr Govinda KC is being treated for his peaceful protests and campaign for the larger good of society indicates that the government is growing increasingly intolerant of its citizens who demand system and good governance, analysts and observers say, by Tika R. Pradhan and Binod Ghimire (kp 23/09/2020), The doctor versus the state : Govinda KC remains a headache for successive governments in Nepal for all the right reasons (kp 24/09/2020), Dr KC v State, Round 19 : The irony of the most powerful government in Nepal’s democratic history working for medical mafia is not lost on anyone (ae 25/09/2020)

Perplexities of Human Rights and COVID-induced Crisis in Nepal, by Uttam Poudel (South Asia Time 23/09/2020)

Attempts to dismiss rape exposed, ward chair chased off (ht 23/09/2020)

Ruling NCP pressures PM Oli to fill constitutional posts (ht 23/09/2020)

507 Inmates Contract COVID-19 At Siraha Prison (rn 23/09/2020), Govt urged to implement apex court’s order on jailbirds (ht 23/09/2020)

Pregnant women and postpartum mothers hit hardest by pandemic : Seven women died of delivery complications in Banke within two months, by Thakur Singh Tharu (kp 22/09/2020)

Police drag Dr KC out of ambulance, forcibly take him to Trauma Center (rep 22/09/2020)

Women, children highly affected by COVID pandemic (ht 21/09/2020)

Woman thrashed on charge of witchcraft in Saptari (kh 21/09/2020)

Cases of violence against women have gone up in Achham : Many men who have returned home from foreign jobs due to the pandemic have taken to drinking and hitting their wives and children, police say, by Menuka Dhungana (kp 21/09/2020)

Constitution Day is like any other for city’s poor : Official celebrations take place barely a hundred metres from the people queuing up for free meals, by Anup Ojha (kp 20/09/2020)

New deterrent provisions on the cards : Punishment for acid attack perpetrators seen as too less, by Ram Kumar Kamat (ht 20/09/2020)

Deceased journo Pahari’s family demands investigation (ht 20/09/2020)

Curfew clamped in Malangawa to avoid possible Hindu-Muslim clash, by Tanka Chhetri (rep 19/09/2020)

Our most vulnerable need protection during the pandemic. We can then celebrate the constitution : First thing first, by Shreejana Pokhrel (rep 19/09/2020)

Will your daughter look upto to the Constitution of Nepal 2015?, by Karma Tamang (rep 19/09/2020)

Ruling party wants to gag its leaders to suppress criticism and dissent : Nepal Communist Party has asked its members to refrain from commenting on the party, leadership, government and policies and warned of action if they fail to comply, by Tika R. Pradhan (kp 18/09/2020)

Uma Bhujel in and out of jail : Although the war is long over, this famous guerrilla commander is still breaking out of jail, by Tufan Neupane (nt 18/09/2020)

High-level commission to be established to ensure Nairobi Summit’s commitments to women’s health and rights (ht 18/09/2020) [Nepal's statement at Nairobi summit in November 2019]

Upper Dolpa Sees Food Shortage; Supply Halted Over A Year (rn 18/09/2020)

Resettlement plans still to be readied, landslide survivors live in leaking tents : Not only immediate relief, survivors also need means to start their lives anew, experts say, by Anish Tiwari and Timothy Aryal (kp 18/09/2020), Resettle The Disaster-Hit, by Bini Dahal (rn 18/09/2020)

Women’s proactive role in exercising constitutional rights stressed (ht 18/09/2020)

Policemen who beat up civilian at Babarmahal on Thursday to be investigated (rep 18/09/2020)

Rape victim in Saptari commits suicide after villagers stop her from filing a case with police (rep 16/09/2020), Teenage rape victim in Saptari took her own life after being forced into out-of-court settlement : The village elders had tried to hush up the matter and  threatened the victim and her mother of consequences  if they reported the incident with the police; The four men who raped the 17-year-old girl are still at large, police say, by Abdhesh Kumar Jha (kp 17/09/2020)

'Unfair To Restrict Street Vendors From Business As They Are Among Hit Hardest Due To Pandemic', by Mukunda Gaire (rn), Dr KC starts 19th hunger strike in Jumla (rep 14/09/2020)

Two deaths in police custody within a month (ht 14/09/2020), In-custody death of a Dalit youth in Kailali sparks protests, by Arjun Shah (kp 15/09/2020)

Disappearance Commission suggests relief packages for conflict victims : There are fears Covid-19 may present an excuse to further delay investigation into war-era cases of rights violations, by Binod Ghimire (kp 13/09/2020)

Anti-graft body in the spotlight as questions arise over its independence : The constitutional body is largely failing to function as per its mandate because over-politicisation has meant  officials often serve their political masters, analysts say, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp 13/09/2020)

Bajura’s new mothers die young. Failure to give birth to a baby boy often results in second marriage, by Nanda Kumari Thapa (rep 13/09/2020)

231 prisoners infected with COVID-19, five die (kh 13/09/2020)

Returnee migrants and their management : When they come home, out-migrants can revive rural economic activities that were abandoned in the conflict era, by Kul Kapri (kp 13/09/2020)

Why is the government ignoring SC’s verdicts on pandemic?, by Ananta Raj Luitel (rep 13/09/2020)

In cases involving members of Chand-led outfit, police are violating court orders : Members of the group have been rearrested multiple times despite courts  ordering their release citing the lack of evidence, by Binod Ghimire (kp 12/09/2020)

Many National Human Rights Commission recommendations go unimplemented (ht 12/09/2020)

Despite poor rights record, Nepal eyes another term at Human Rights Council : Nepal government has largely failed to uphold the promises it made in 2017 in the lead  up to the election for membership for the 2018-20 period in the UN body, by Anil Giri (kp 12/09/2020) [Nepal has never been qualified for this task!]

Undocumented migrant workers to get support to return home : They had so far been excluded from the government’s  repatriation schemes, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 12/09/2020)

Reproductive health gains at risk as pregnant women die due to lack of care : Maternal mortality had gone down by 76 percent and stillbirths by 56 percent in Nepal since 2000, but the Covid-19 pandemic is eroding the achievements, by Aditi Aryal (kp 11/09/2020), The shadow curve : Disruptions in health services due to the pandemic could result in a secondary health crisis (kp 11/09/2020)

Indigenous communities: Adversaries to Nepal’s development?, by Kushal Pokharel (ae 11/09/2020)

4 million jobs added to Nepal’s economy in past decade, a report says : Despite great strides, not all job seekers have access to quality jobs, especially women (kp 11/09/2020) [This report sounds strange at a time when hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of labour migrants are returning, looking in vain for jobs at home!]

Access to formal jobs more restricted for women (ht 11/09/2020)

Implement corrective measures for prisoners: SC (ht 11/09/2020), COVID-19 confirmed after death of four inmates of Central Prison (kh 11/09/2020)

Case filed against police for alleged custody  death of Dalit youth : Bijay Mahara’s father filed the complaint with the  Office of District Attorney on Wednesday seeking investigation into his son’s death, by Shiva Puri (kp 10/09/2020)

Nepalis in the Middle East fear starvation as government delays repatriation, by Rudra Khadka (rep 10/09/2020)

Covid-19 surge deprives 60 percent of malnourished kids of treatment : Lack of public transportation and conversion of rehab  centres into quarters for health staffers cited as reasons, by Arjun Poudel (kp 10/09/2020)

Mental health patients deprived of drugs and counselling during pandemic : Doctors say remote counselling is not accessible to patients living in small towns and villages as regular therapy sessions and supply of medications are obstructed by lockdowns, by Arjun Poudel (kp 10/09/2020)

Many elderly people in Saipal live with treatable visual impairment for lack of medical facilities : More than 80 percent of eye patients will regain their sight if authorities conduct an eye camp, say health workers, by Basanta Pratap Singh (kp 10/09/2020)

Prohibitory orders hit daily wagers hard (ht 10/09/2020)

Amid little progress, pandemic could become an excuse to delay justice for conflict-era victims : Five years have passed since two commissions were formed, but not a single investigation has been started, by Binod Ghimire (kp 09/09/2020)

A teenage girl held captive and gang-raped for days after being drugged in Kanchanpur (rep 09/09/2020)

3 held in connection with 17-yr-old girl’s rape in Baitadi (kh 09/09/2020)

Government deadline for total literacy likely to be pushed yet again : Since 2008-09, nearly Rs 12 billion has been spent on several  literacy campaigns, yet 24 districts are still not fully literate, by Binod Ghimire (kp 09/09/2020)

Pandemic makes life tougher for children with autism and Down syndrome : The Covid-19 crisis has only exacerbated already existing challenges for children with development challenges—and there are no easy solutions in sight, by Elisha Shrestha (kp 09/09/2020)

Dalits picket DPO to file FIR (ht 09/09/2020)

12 years since their liberation, freed Haliyas in Kanchanpur still await resettlement : Out of 21,069 freed Haliya families in Nepal, only 16,000 are listed in government data, by Bhawani Bhatta (kp 08/07/2020)

Police officials don’t accept complaints against their own colleagues, activists say : The latest of such examples is police in Garuda Municipality, Rautahat refusing to register a first information report against the death in custody of 19-year-old Bijaya Mahara, by Binod Ghimire (kp 08/09/2020)

1,200 Nepali migrant workers hit the streets in Saudi Arabia : Shout slogans against Nepali Embassy, by Yogendra Yogi (kh 08/09/2020)

How a pandemic law would have helped fight the virus and strengthened federalism : Nepal has resorted to the six-decade-old Infectious Disease Act, which does not talk about people’s rights, but empower bureaucrats to punish citizens, by Tika R. Pradhan (kp 07/09/2020)

UNFPA launches Phase II project to prevent gender-based violence (kh 07/09/2020)

As migrant workers start returning home, local levels feel the heat to create jobs : Local governments across country prioritise employing returnee migrant workers mainly in agriculture and local development sectors, with some coming up with innovative ideas, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 07/09/2020)

Relief distribution programme in Birgunj fails to cover vulnerable families : Around 150 women had reached the District Police Office on Thursday to receive relief but had to return empty-handed, by Bhusan Yadav (kp 06/09/2020)

73 pregnant women die for lack of treatment since lockdown (kh 06/09/2020)

Around 40 percent government staff haven’t received their salaries yet, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp 06/09/2020)

Human trafficking continues unabated amidst COVID pandemic (ht 06/09/2020)

Overstay fines become hurdle for Nepali workers waiting to return : Many workers have been charged with hefty fines for overstaying their visas as flights to Nepal were suspended for months due to Covid-19 pandemic, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 05/09/2020), Repatriation quandary persists even with funds to support migrant workers’ airfare : While Nepali embassies in labour destination countries struggle with the complicated verification  process, labour rights activists question the government’s commitment to bring citizens home, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 05/09/2020)

Pregnant woman dies after being denied admission by Biratnagar hospitals, by Chuman Basnet (rep 05/09/2020)

Getting Nepal’s flawed transitional justice process back on track : Conflict victims and human rights defenders lighting candles at Maitighar, Kathmandu, in memory of those ‘disappeared’ during the conflict /Amnesty International Nepal, by Kamal Dev Bhattarai (ae 04/09/2020)

Nepal must reboot human rights, rule of law : The goal of political stability does not remove the need for active promotion of human rights, by Mohna Ansari (nt 04/09/2020)

End impunity, protect rights: HRW : Human Rights Watch pushes Nepal and its donors to punish violators (nt 04/09/2020)

Two former lawmakers  stage hunger strike over custody death of Dalit youth : The struggle committee has warned of stepping up protest if its demands are not addressed, by Shiva Puri (kp 03/09/2020), SP Khadka replaced in wake of custodial death in Rautahat (ht 04/09/2020) [This can only be a first step!]

Demonstrations continue over custody death of Dalit youth : Family of Bijay Kumar has refused to accept probe committee formed by Home Ministry, by Shiva Puri(kp 01/09/2020)

Two killers: Cities and centralism; The federal government’s lack of support for the vulnerable is going to add to the death toll, by Achyut Wagle (kp 01/09/2020)

12-year-old boy chained and caged since 2016, by Dinesh Subedi (rep 01/09/2020)

Four inmates die at Central Jail, one tests positive for COVID-19 : Source claims that a few more inmates at the jail are ill (rep 01/09/2020)

Work or perish: The state is morally bound to safeguard its citizens working in precarious conditions abroad (kp 01/09/2020)

Ensure effective contact tracing and place symptomatic patients in hospitals, doctors say : Given the lack of facilities at home for self-isolation for a majority of Nepalis, encouraging them to stay home after testing positive for Covid-19 could spell a disasters, by Arjun Poudel (kp 31/08/2020)

An Ultimate Guide to Prevent Social Stigma related to Covid-19, by Bikram Thapa (kh 31/08/2020)

‘Cheap’ Nepali deaths in US war zones In Afghanistan and Iraq, Nepalis who are injured or killed while working for American  contractors are often sent home with only token compensation, or none at all, by Peter Gill (kp 31/08/2020), Nepali Afghanistan and Iraq victims seek compensation, justiceAccording to the US Labor Department, approximately 300 Nepalis have filed compensation claims for deaths  or injuries in the US war zones.  However, experts believe the true number of Nepali casualties is far higher, by Peter Gill and Janakraj Sapkota (kp 01/09/2020)

Care for the frontliners : The government must immediately provide risk allowances to all Covid-19 frontline workers (kp 31/08/2020)

Migrant Workers In Gulf Being Charged Exorbitant Fares For Air Tickets, by Modnath Dhakal (rn 31/08/2020)

For the families of the hundreds of disappeared, the long wait for justice still continues : Fourteen years have passed since civil conflict ended and five years since the Commission of Investigation on Enforced Disappeared Persons was formed, but not a single family has been told what happened to its loved one, by Binod Ghimire (kp 30/08/2020) [Not even those who claim to be responsible for the death of 5.000 people are removed from all offices and taken to court!], “Forgotten and Forsaken”, by Nirajan Thapaliya (ht 30/08/2020), Various organizations call for end to continue delays in justice for Nepal's victims (rep 30/08/2020), CIEDP asks govt to amend transition justice law to help accomplish its mandated tasks (rep 30/08/2020)

How the government is failing education : The students who have been deprived of learning will look back to this time to recall how the government failed education in the name of pandemic, by Mahabir Paudyal (rep 30/08/2020)

Four arrested for allegedly gang-raping a girl in Kailali (rep 30/08/2020)

Livelihoods of hundreds of fish farmers in Province 5 at stake : As a result of travel restrictions, farmers in the region say they are unable to transport produce to the market or purchase feed and many of their fish are dying, by Sanju Poudel (kp 30/08/2020)

Migrant workers don’t have shelters to go to when they need them the most : A Supreme Court decision in 2010 and existing provisions allow officials to set up safe homes which could have served workers even during the pandemic, say labour rights activists, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 30/08/2020)

Customers bewildered after police stop online stores from making deliveries : Kathmandu CDO says shops are open in the morning, delivery services could be allowed after health protocols are in place, by Krishana Prasain (kp 29/08/2020), Police halt home delivery service, arrest staff : ‘First they held our delivery boy and then they came to arrest me. Other operators also in custody’, by Arpana Ale Magar (ht 29/08/2020)

Police looking for man who sold a 14-year-old Nepali girl in India : She was trafficked last year but had been too traumatised to speak up about the incident, by Shuvam Dhungana (kp 28/08/2020)

‘I’m shocked it happened to me’. Record-breaking athlete encounters discrimination : Chandra Kala Lamgade, who has represented Nepal in two South Asian Games and an Asian Championship, was allegedly attacked for standing up against caste-based discrimination, by Parbat Portel(kp 28/08/2020)

Investigation into Chepang youth’s death in Chitwan National Park yet to conclude : The father of the deceased had filed a complaint with the district police against  Nepal Army personnel a month ago, but no one has been booked yet; Nepal Army has been accused of  fatally assaulting Raj Kumar Chepang, by Ramesh Kumar Paudel (kp 27/08/2020)

Youth dies in police custody in Rautahat : The family of the deceased accuses police of ill-treatment while police rule out allegation, by Madan Thakur (rep 27/08/2020), Locals protest the death of youth held on murder charge : The deceased’s family has accused police of torture while authorities claim the detainee died due to prior illness, by Shiva Puri (kp 28/08/2020),
Yet another Dalit death puts spotlight on culture of torture police custody : Family members and rights activists demand investigation into the death of Bijay Mahara detained over a murder case, by Binod Ghimire (kp 29/08/2020)

Govt urged to save lives of jailbirds amid COVID-19 (ht 27/08/2020)

Man shot in clash over ox slaughtering dies : A clash had ensued between the locals of Kamatoli and police on Wednesday; police personnel had fired at the crowd, says eyewitness, by Parbat Portel (kp 27/08/2020)

Endogamy, hierarchy and violence : Only a free flow of ideas can help society move its culture and traditions in sync with the times., by Pramod Mishra (kp 27/08/2020)

Gender inequality in education has widened during the pandemic : With families struggling financially, girls cannot focus on their studies. They have to help out in household chores and do not always have access to technology for remote learning, by Elisha Shrestha (kp 26/08/2020)

Party panel’s transitional justice proposal draws flak : The recommendations are political and go against principles of transitional justice, and Nepal’s commitments to human rights, victims and activists say, by Binod Ghimire (kp 26/08/2020),
Justice as subterfuge : Make no mistake, the ruling party is hardly interested in concluding the transitional justice process (kp 27/08/2020)

Need To Prevent Corona-related Stigma, by Bikram Thapa (rn 25/08/2020)

Undocumented migrant workers left to fend for themselves : As officials only provide airfare for those with valid labour permits, a large number of workers, who overstayed or went through informal routes, remain deprived of assistance to return, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 25/08/2020)

Landslide-displaced people worry about their future : Many families who were driven by the landslide in Lidi are not assured by the government’s plan to resettle them, by Anish Tiwari (kp 24/08/2020)

The cost of stigma : The government must run a campaign to counter the infodemic surrounding Covid-19 (kp 24/08/2020)

Internet access is a human right : Affordability, accessibility and availability must be ensured to build a digital Nepal, by Narayan Prasad Ghimire (kp 23/08/2020)

Bajura locals reeling under acute food shortage (ht 22/08/2020)

Grocery shoppers scramble  due to small window of time : It is challenging to finish making deliveries by early morning, traders say, by Krishana Prasain (kp 22/08/2020)

Villagers in Halesi face acute water shortage due to delay in construction of water projectWater crisis in Halesi is so acute that some families have begun to leave the villages, by Dambar Singh Rai (kp 22/08/2020)

Flood-displaced families from Bhajani seek refuge in forest: More than 550 families who were displaced by the July flood have moved to  a community forest after living on the Postal Highway for eight days, by Mohan Budhaair (kp 21/08/2020)

The progressive weakening of the Janajati movement in Nepal, by Kamal Dev Bhattarai (ae 21/08/2020)

Seven persons charged with Dalit youth’s murder paraded (ht 21/08/2020)

‘Provide proper treatment to ailing pregnant woman’ (ht 21/08/2020)

Nepali migrant workers slam ‘irresponsible’ govt decision to halt repatriation, by Arpana Ale Magar (ht 21/08/2020)

Respect the rights of all people: Development and humanitarian efforts can never be traded off for increased natural risks, by Valerie Julliand (kp 20/08/2020)

Dalit lives matter: We do not know how many Nabarajs have to sacrifice their lives in the name of caste if the state fails to come up with the constructive and meaningful strategies to address such issues, by Mandip Lamichhane (rep 20/08/2020)

Govt’s plan to make hotel quarantine could put many migrant returnees into trouble (rep 20/08/2020)

SC issues interim order to not remove PC Acting Chairman (kh 19/08/2020)

Collateral damage: The Sindhupalchok landslides have exposed the government’s failure in disaster risk reduction (kp 17/08/2020)

Don’t let hospitals deny medical care to anyone: SC to govt (ht 17/08/2020)

Dalit youth murdered in Rautahat (ht 17/08/2020)

How my teacher abused me, and how I got out of the depression that followed (rep 17/08/2020)

Government plan to repatriate only 500 migrant workers a day comes under fire: There are hundreds of thousands wanting to return home and this number is growing with the expiry of more visas, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 16/08/2020)

‘We had long been asking the authorities to move us to safer locations’: Lidi villagers say they knew a disaster was coming as the area weakened by the 2015 earthquakes was experiencing landslides since the start of the monsoon season, by Anish Tiwari (kp 15/08/2020), 44 feared dead in Sindhupalchowk landslide (ht ht 15/08/2020)

Bharatpur dumps waste in Narayani River banks despite having designated land to build a landfill site: Monsoon spells disaster for locals living in riverbank settlements with garbage washed ashore by the overflowing river, by Ramesh Kumar Paudel (kp 15/08/2020)

COVID-19 sharpens caste discrimination in Nepal: Dalit returnees from India face double discrimination at home even after recovering from coronavirus infection, by Unnati Chaudhary (nt 14/08/2020)

The prolonged trauma of acid attack survivors: Teenage survivors in Nepal get together to deter future attacks with stricter laws and ban on sale of acid, by Laxmi Basnet (nt 14/08/2020)

COVID-19 impact on food and school in Nepali children: 20% of children eating less, 52% not studying at all from home (nt 14/08/2020) [see corresponding baseline findings by UNICEF Nepal and Sharecast]

Half of Nepal’s girls may drop out of school: Survey shows 53% of female students may not go back to schools when they reopen, by Namrata Sharma (nt 14/08/2020)

Another case spotlights apathy towards rights body: Ministry of Home Affairs asks the National Human Rights commission to review its recommendations on alleged extra-judicial killing of Kumar Poudel, by Binod Ghimire (kp 14/08/2020) [The authoritarian Oli government continues to move forward on its path of anti-democratic and unlawful action!]

Menstrual huts: You demolish one, we’ll build another: In Surkhet district alone, around 2,000 menstruation huts were demolished. But with the end of the campaign, menstruation huts are resurfacing, by Lalit Bahadur Budha and Hiknat Bahaduur Nepali (ae 14/08/2020) [Ram, Ram, says the PM!]

Govt urged to rescue Nepalis stranded abroad (ht 14/08/2020)

Covid-19 leaves devastating impacts on education, jobs and mental well-being of youths: ILO study says that the Covid-19 has disrupted the education of more than 70 per cent of youth, leaving a disproportionate effect on young people, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 13/08/2020)

Covid-19 taking away Nepal’s achievement in maternal health: Report says 13,189 women delivered babies at hospital prior to the lockdown while the number decreased to 7,165 after the outbreak (kp 13/08/2020), Institutional childbirth reduced by more than half during lockdown in Nepal: Study (rep 13/08/2020) [see article by Ashish KC et al. in Lancet]

Us and them: In Nepal, divisions created by differences in caste, culture, gender, religion and vested interests are aplenty, by Pramod Mishra (kp 13/08/2020)

Informal, salaried workers hit hard by COVID-19 in Kathmandu valley: Study (ht 12/08/2020) [see report by Nepal Food Security Monitoring System]

Govt decides to provide Rs 1 million each to the family of those killed in Soti incident (rep 12/08/2020) [And what about the brutal killers? When will a court finally punish them severely? The compensation payments to the victims and their families must be made by all those who committed the crime, supported it or in any way incited it!]

Indigenous groups feel deprived of their access to land and natural resources: Indigenous rights activists blame the state for its coercive approach, the latest examples being the eviction of Chepangs in Chitwan and plans to displace the Newars from Khokana, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 10/08/2020)

Nepal likely to face host of questions in its bid for another UN rights council term: But officials say the country is one of the best performers among the present members of the council; Various rights enshrined in the constitution have not been implemented (kp 09/08/2020) [Nepal was already not qualified for this task in 2018. This disqualification has unfortunately worsened considerably under the Oli government!]

Young woman dies for want of treatment (ht 09/08/2020), Girl who died after denied admission to hospitals tests COVID-19 positive (kh 09/08/2020)

Maintain essential health services during COVID-19 response: WHO (ht) 09/08/2020

‘I and my wife go to bed hungry to keep children fed’: Returning migrants in Sudurpaschim and Karnali face a bleak future. Government is still unclear how to provide help, by Arjun Shah, Basanta Pratap Singh and Chandani Kathayat (kp 09/08/2020), Prime Minister Employment Programme has so far proved to be a let-down for jobless citizens: The much-talked-about programme has yet again failed to provide a minimum 100 days of employment, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 09/08/2020)

ICJ urges Nepal to bring law and policy reform to achieve human rights accountability and strengthen justice sector institutions (rep 07/08/2020) [see statement and report by ICJ], Government urged to guarantee citizenship rights of minorities (ht 08/08/2020)

Murder accused ex-Maoist commander gets clean chit from Supreme Court; The decision is fallacious, says a former justice, by Binod Ghimire (kp 07/08/2020)

Licence of child care home seized (ht 07/08/2020)

Nepal lockdown 2.0: Who’ll suffer the most?, by Simone Galimberti (ae 07/08/2020)

Kathmandu starts drive to provide sanitary pads to students of all community schools in city: A total of 14,810 girls will benefit from the scheme, for which the city has released Rs 14.9 million to all its wards, by Anup Ojha (kp 07/08/2020)

30 rape cases in 4 years in Darchula (ht 06/08/2020)

When enough is never enough: The success of an ethical appeal requires that the moral principles of the respondent be equally proper, by CK Lal (kp 05/08/2020)

Heinous Crime Of Acid Attack, by Namrata Sharma (rn 05/08/2020)

Amend laws related to children: Panel (ht 05/08/2020)

Media urged to refrain from brewing controversy over court verdict, order: Media criticism of verdicts erodes faith in the judiciary (ht 03/08/2020)  [??]

Fifty youths, including passers-by, detained from Baluwatar ahead of ‘Enough is Enough’ protest: Police claim the youths were protesting in a restricted zone, but protesters say the planned rally could not happen following random arrests, by Aditi Aryal (kp 01/08/2020), Police arrest dozens of protesters: Enough is enough campaign (ht 02/08/2020)

Police arrests scores of ‘Enough is Enough’ campaigners (rep 31/07/2020), Police arrest peaceful protesters from Baluwatar (rep 31/07/2020)

Porous border, poor interception and changing forms continue to enable human trafficking to flourish: Trafficking of Nepali girls and women remains a big challenge for the country as traffickers use the open border–not only to traffick them to India, but also to further smuggle them into the Persian Gulf and Southeast Asia, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 30/07/2020)

Nirmala Pant murder case: Eight police personnel including SP Bista accused of destroying evidence acquitted (rep 30/07/2020), Eight police personnel get clean chit on Nirmala rape and murder case (kh 30/07/2020), Court acquits eight police officers charged in connection with Nirmala Pant rape-murder case: The officers were charged with meting out torture and destroying evidence, by Bhawani Bhatta (kp 31/07/2020), I was forced to file a case. I now feel exempted of that guilt: Durga Devi, by Anjali Subedi (rep 31/07/2020)

Lawmakers point out flaws in Prison Bill-2020: Say it fails to incorporate provision on counselling, deploying female cops inside prisons (ht 30/07/2020)

No To Gender Based Violence, by Namrata Sharma (rn 29/07/2020)

Seventh grader raped and threatened to keep quiet, family fears rapist may walk away scott-free, by Anjali Subedi (rep 29/07/2020)

Govt offices neglecting RTI (ht 29/07/2020), Police arrest five 'Enough is Enough' campaigners (rep 29/07/2020)

Women from Chepang community demand skill-oriented training (ht 29/07/2020)

Rights lawyers move Supreme Court against forceful eviction of landless families: Petitioners have sought government intervention into wanton eviction of vulnerable communities and offer alternative locations for them to live with dignity, by Binod Ghimire (kp 28/07/2020)

More women journalists losing their jobs due to coronavirus pandemic (ht 28/07/2020)

SC dissatisfied with its verdicts being questioned (ht 28/07/2020)

Youth activist’s fast-unto-death enters ninth day, government indifferent (ht 27/07/2020), NHRC concerned about youths staging hunger strike (ht 28/07/2020)

Regulate acid sale: The chemical has become a weapon for jilted lovers to disfigure the beloved who couldn't be theirs (kp 27/07/2020)

Supreme Court orders review of the decision by a bench comprising chief justice on Ranjan Koirala case: A three-justice bench questions the rationale behind Chief Justice Cholendra Shumsher Rana and Justice Tej Bahadur KC’s verdict to commute Koirala’s sentence from life imprisonment to eight and a half years for murdering his wife, by Tika R. Pradhan (kp 27/07/2020)

Ending Widows’ Woes, by Mahima Devkota (rn 27/07/2020)

Committee Concerned About Implementation Status Of Safe Motherhood Rights (rn 26/07/2020), Motherhood rights stressed (ht 27/07/2020)

Survivors face food crisis (ht 27/07/2020)

Two years on, delayed justice disappoints Nirmala Panta’s mother, by Ujjwal Satyal and Tekendra Deuba (ht 26/07/2020)

Sexagenarian arrested on rape charge (rep 25/07/2020)

Implementation of guidelines to repatriate stranded workers fraught with challenges: Long verification processes might further delay repatriation, fear experts, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 24/07/2020)

A 22-year old woman attacked with acid in Kathmandu (rep 24/07/2020), Two arrested for throwing acid on 22-year-old woman in capital (rep 24/07/2020), Spurned, man asks staffer to throw acid on woman (ht 25/07/2020)

Children are collateral damage in Nepal lockdown: Four months of lockdown has killed many more children than the disease it was supposed to control. by Sonia Awale (nt 24/07/2020)

Murder-convict former DIG Koirala released from jail (rep 23/07/2020) [???], Attorney general questions Supreme Court verdict on Koirala case: The former DIG of the Armed Police Force convicted of murdering his wife was released Thursday following top court’s order, by Tika R. Pradhan (kp 24/07/2020) [Doubts about the constitutional action of the judiciary!], Demonstration staged against controversial SC verdict to waive jail term of murder-convict Koirala: Impeachment sought against justices issuing the verdict (rep 24/07/2020), A father recounts his pain as his daughter’s killer is allowed to walk out of jail (rep 24/07/2020), Calls grow louder to impeach Chief Justice Rana: Verdict to commute a wife murderer’s sentence erodes people’s trust in judiciary, legal practitioners say, by Tika R. Pradhan (kp 25/07/2020), Investigating officers recall Koirala case: The former DIG would not have been connected to his wife’s murder but for one error he made, by Shuvam Dhungana (kp 25/07/2020), Full Division Bench Grants Approval To Review SC's Verdict On Releasing Ex-DIG Koirala (rn 26/07/2020), SC excludes seven justices from list of justices hearing govt’s review petition against verdict to release ex-DIG Koirala (rep 26/07/2020), Supreme Court orders review of the decision by a bench comprising chief justice on Ranjan Koirala case: A three-justice bench questions the rationale behind Chief Justice Cholendra Shumsher Rana and Justice Tej Bahadur KC’s verdict to commute Koirala’s sentence from life imprisonment to eight and a half years for murdering his wife, by Tika R. Pradhan (kp 27/07/2020), Commuting of Ranjan Koirala’s sentence likely to be reviewed, by Ram Kumar Kamat (ht 27/07/2020)

Nepal: Authorities must stop ruthless evictions of Indigenous peoples (Amnesty International 22/07/2020), Amnesty International calls for halting forced eviction of people from Chepang community in Chitwan (rep 22/07/2020), Amnesty condemns enforced eviction of indigenous Chepang families by Chitwan National Park authority: The rights organisation has called on the authorities concerned to hold the people accountable who set fire and razed down the huts of the landless families (kp 22/07/2020), Amnesty International calls for halt in eviction of Chepang peoples (kh 22/07/2020), Amnesty International Calls For Halt In Eviction Of Indigenous Peoples (Sancharkarmi 22/07/2020), Amnesty International calls for halt in eviction of indigenous peoples (Ratopati 22/07/2020), ‘Halt forced eviction of Chepang people’ (ht 22/07/2020), Distressed Chepangs of Kusum Khola bemoan loss of property and await relocation: Chitwan National Park authorities on Saturday set ablaze two huts and vandalised eight others, asking the indigenous people to vacate Kusum Khola, by Ramesh Kumar Paudel (kp 23/07/2020), Why current conservation models are flawed: Top-heavy conservation models have little regard for locals. This has to change if conservation is to succeed, by Amish Raj Mulmi (kp 24/07/2020), Chepang organisation demands inquiry into Kusum Khola incident: Nepal Chepang Sangh has submitted a memorandum to the chief district officer of Chitwan, demanding legal action against the guilty, by Ramesh Kumar Paudel (kp 24/07/2020), Nepal Army personnel blamed for death of Chepang youth: Nepal Army has denied allegations of beating seven youths who had entered Chitwan National Park on July 16 without permission, by Ramesh Kumar Paudel (kp 25/07/2020), Concern raised about forced eviction (ht 25/07/2020), Body of Chepang youth taken to Kathmandu for postmortem: The deceased’s family has accused Nepal Army personnel of fatally assaulting the youth last week inside Chitwan National Park, by Ramesh Kumar Paudel (kp 27/07/2020)

‘Enough is Enough’ campaigners begin hunger strike once again (ht 19/07/2020), Three youths go on a second hunger strike over pandemic handling: Youths demand the government fulfil its earlier commitments while government says says all demands have been met, by Aditi Aryal (kp 22/07/2020)

Nepal failed to implement recommendations from periodic review, says rights group: During the next review, members should remind Nepal it needs to do much better in upholding civil, political, economic, and social rights, says Human Rights Watch (kp 19/07/2020) (see HRW report]

‘Journalists deprived of rights to work, pay’ (ht 18/07/2020)

Rights situation of women, girls disappointing, says HRW (ht 18/07/2020)

Man beaten by police at quarantine facility in Surkhet has a fractured hand, by Nagendra Upadhyaya (rep 18/07/2020)

Pandemic has once again thrown light on plights of Nepali women migrant workers: Blanket ban on women from migrating overseas for employment has only encouraged labour trafficking and exploitation, labour migration experts and rights groups say, by Elisha Shrestha (kp 16/07/2020)

Blood on the hills: Though insufficient, the parliamentary probe committee's recommendations on the Soti killings must be implemented to provide justice to the victims (kp 16/07/2020)

When it comes to portraying ethnicity, Nepali pop culture still depends on stereotypical tropes: From using blackface makeup to actors speaking in exaggerated indigenous accents, why is Nepali films and television still filled with regressive cultural stereotypes?, by Ankit Khadgi (kp 16/07/2020)

Armed Police Force Senior Superintendent of Police held on rape charge (ht 16/07/2020)

Rukum (West) murder of six youths was result of caste-based discrimination, parliamentary probe says: Study finds sheer lapses on the part of the local administration, local government and police in handling the incident, by Binod Ghimire (kp 15/07/2020)

New public service broadcasting bill draws criticism: Journalists, lawmakers say it envisages broadcaster that continues to remain accountable towards the government and not the legislature, by Tika R. Pradhan (kp 15/07/2020)

Govt does not have authority to illegally ban citizens from traveling abroad: SC (rep 14/07/2020)

Kamalaris are still not free: Government needs to ensure livelihood, employment, education and social security for Kamalari girls and women, by Sarita Nandmehar (rep 14/07/2020)

21 trafficked Nepali women coming home after nine months: Group had ended up in Manipur after falling in the trap of traffickers planning to take them to the Gulf, by Suresh Raj Neupane (kp 13/07/2020), Human trafficking woes: The government must ramp up its measures to stop the illegal trafficking of Nepali women to the Gulf (kp 14/07/2020)

Women rights organisations urge Human Rights Council to take up issue of women’s equality in citizenship rights: National Women Coalition has called for a revision in the constitution to redress discriminatory citizenship law, by Binod Ghimire (kp 12/07/2020), Institutionalising discrimination: A society that treats its sons and daughters differently will never achieve prosperity, by Bina Jha (kp 12/07/2020)

Human rights situation in Tarai-Madhes: There are several examples of rights violations after the coronavirus lockdown was declared, by Ram Dayal Rakesh (kp 12/07/2020)

When it comes to media content, leave it to viewers’ discretion, experts say: Cable operators' move of banning Indian news channels after insulting video about Oli has raised a question if the state should encourage them to control the content, by Tika R. Pradhan (kp 12/07/2020)

Children deprived of secondary-level education in a Madi settlement: The nearest secondary level school is about a two hours’ walk away, by Ramesh Kumar Paudel (kp 12/07/2020)

Caste and the subtle psychology behind it, by Shreya Soni (ht 12/07/2020)

Supreme Court says government cannot restrict anyone from travel: Barring Lenin Bista from visiting Thailand was unconstitutional and against International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, full text of the verdict says, by Binod Ghimire (kp 11/07/2020)

NHRC chief draws flak for condemning Mohna Ansari (ht 11/07/2020)

Conflict victims lament govt’s apathy in their joint submission (ht 11/07/2020)

Women politicians go unheard when they speak out but are ostracised if they oppose party narrative: The trials of Sarita Giri illustrate just how difficult it is for outspoken women to have a career in Nepali politics, politicians and activists say, by Aditi Aryal (kp 10/07/2020)

Help returning workers reintegrate socio-economically, labour migration analysts tell government: A large number of Nepali workers returning from Covid-19 affected countries will need employment opportunities at home after they have lost overseas jobs and there is no immediate hope of going back anytime soon, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 10/07/2020)

Nepal doesn’t meet minimum standard for eliminating trafficking, a US government report says: The report suggests the Nepal government to investigate allegations of official complicity in trafficking crimes and hold perpetrators criminally accountable, by Binod Ghimire (kp 10/07/2020) [see report by US Department of State]

Marginalised community commissions say they don’t have resources to fulfill their mandate: Parliamentary committee asks government to ensure that the constitutional bodies get the needed budget to implement their plans, by Binod Ghimire (kp 10/07/2020)

Achham children deprived of education with no means to attend online classes: Most children in rural areas spend time roaming around villages, playing in groups or herding their livestock unaware of the risk of contracting or spreading the coronavirus, by Menuka Dhungana (kp 10/07/2020)

Nepal yet to fully implement a single recommendation on transitional justice, says universal periodic report by non-governmental organisations: The UN Human Rights Council’s Universal Periodic review has been postponed until January, but officials have little progress to show to the international community, by Binod Ghimire (kp 09/07/2020)

Imagining a motherland: Gender and nationalism; The boundaries set by the nation, state, families and societies often do not allow a woman to become a citizen. This leads to women not becoming the part of the nation but just a national embodiment, by Swasti Gautam (rep 09/07/2020)

For marginalised, access to media and information a major challenge during pandemic: The Danuwar community in rural Sindhuli is deprived of information regarding Covid-19 and facts are overshadowed by rumours, by Samiksha Baral (kp 09/07/2020)

When floods strike, it’s the poor who suffer, by Dipendra Gautam (ht 09/07/2020)

Failing our migrant workers: One would have expected the present government to be more attuned to the challenges faced by workers in destination countries, by Deepak Thapa (kp 09/07/2020)

Exploitation risk for women migrant workers has increased during pandemic, labour migration experts and rights activists say: They have urged the government to protect vulnerable women migrant workers and ensure their wages and other legal rights, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 05/07/2020)

COVID-19 Magnifies Domestic Violence, by Suman Raj Tamrakar (rn 05/07/2020)

Six stranded Nepali women rescued from Delhi, by Manoj Paudel (kp 05/07/2020)

Jobless and without pay, migrant workers are returning home. But they have no recourse for compensation: Labour migrant experts say the concerned Nepali embassies and the government should start recording the details of the returning migrant workers to take the matter to the court, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 04/07/2020)

Sexual exploitation case filed against Ram Bahadur Bomjan in Sarlahi: A complaint was registered against the controversial spiritual leader earlier this year for allegedly raping a 15-year-old, by Om Prakash Thakur (kp 04/07/2020)

Body of a girl found in Dhanusha’s field; rape-murder suspected, by Brij Kumar Yadav (ht 04/07/2020)

Patriarchy and citizenship: Conspiracy theories flowed seamlessly from Panchayat-era scholars to politicians, by Pramod Mishra (kp 03/07/2020)

Police fire warning shots during demonstration by Dalit Struggle Committee: The protest was launched demanding justice for two Dalit youths who died in the past month; one at an isolation centre in Dhanusha and the other in Sabaila police custody, by Santosh Singh (kp 03/07/2020)

EU, UNICEF to prevent malnutrition in Nepal (ht 03/07/2020)

Suicide by youth in police custody raises concern over mental health of inmates: Restrictions on visits by family members could exacerbate problems faced by those behind bars, psychiatrists say, by Shuvam Dhungana (kp 02/07/2020), Ensure safer custody: Recent deaths expose cracks in Nepal's criminal investigation and prison management system (kp 03/07/2020)

Government tells UN that it will incorporate conflict victims’ concerns but victims are not convinced: Victims have called the government’s response to the concerns of five special UN human rights rapporteurs insincere and the entire transitional justice process flawed, by Binod Ghimire (kp 02/07/2020)

‘Citizenship bill not inclusive’ (ht 02/07/2020)

Govt urged to protect rights, interests of LGBTI people (ht 02/07/2020)

What defines a Nepali citizen? Nepal needs to understand the realities of the 21st century. It needs to move forward, not backward, by Sujeev Shakya (kp 30/06/2020)

FNJ to stage protest for journalists’ job security, rights (ht 30/06/2020)

New directives for rescue, repatriation endorsed (ht 30/06/2020)

MoFAGA drafts Social Inclusion Policy-2020 (ht 28/06/2020) [It's a farce! In upper political circles there is no willingness for social inclusion, as you can see from the government, parliament, political parties and laws!]

Rupandehi District Court remands in custody three people arrested in connection with murder of Dalit teen: Prosecutors filed a charge sheet against the trio on June 21 and presented them before the court on Tuesday, by Sanju Poudel (kp 26/06/2020)

The government has not followed most of the Supreme Court’s 23 rulings related to the pandemic: Interim orders related to proper management of quarantine facilities and the repatriation of migrant workers have all either been ignored or were belatedly followed, by Binod Ghimire (kp 26/06/2020) [Nepal's leading politicians are neither interested in the fundamentals of democracy nor do they understand the aspect of the separation of powers. As soon as they are in power, they believe to possess absolute rights!]

District court remands 23 accused in killings of six youths in Rukum (West) to judicial custody: Police have so far arrested 29 individuals in connection with the incident, by Bhim Bahadur Singh (kp 25/06/2020)

15 lawmakers, activists arrested from Baluwatar (ht 25/06/2020)

Urgent action needed to safeguard millions of children’s future, says UNICEF (ht 25/06/2020)

Migrant workers suffer as government due to delay in drafting of workers’ repatriation guidelines: Many workers are returning home with their own expenses while those without money continue to languish overseas, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 25/06/2020)

12 trafficking victims, including three minors, rescued in past three months: The Anti-human Trafficking Bureau of Nepal Police says there’s a risk of traffickers targeting the people who have become financially vulnerable due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the lockdown, by Shuvam Dhungana (kp 24/06/2020)

Supply chain and food security: Meeting the dietary needs of all Nepalis has been a problem, with or without Covid-19, by Roshee Lamichhane (kp 23/06/2020)

Only 12,000 Nepalis stranded abroad to be evacuated in first phase (ht 23/06/2020)

What on earth do we want on citizenship? There is a lot of whining and crying, lot of ifs and buts, unleashing of hate against political leaders, nation and nationalism but there is no solution, by Mahabir Paudyal (rep 22/06/2020), Becoming citizens: We need to go beyond the spatio-temporal debate on citizenship and ask whether its ideals are being fulfilled (kp 23/06/2020) [The question is not how many years foreign women married to Nepali men have tom wait to obtain Nepali citizenhip. The problem is the continued unequal status and treatment of Nepali women as it has been decided by a handful of male Bahuns and some male Chhetris for centuries!!!], Who is a Nepali? (ae 26/06/2020)

Food insecurity, economic slowdown loom as acute shortage of fertilisers is going to hit paddy production: This year, fertiliser was supplied neither from the government’s mechanism nor from illegal traders, as their clandestine supply lines were severed by the Covid-19 lockdown and border restrictions, by Sangam Prasain (kp 22/06/2020), House panel endorses bill to amend Citizenship Act amid objections from three parties: Opposing parties and rights activists call seven-year rule for foreign women married to Nepali men to get naturalised citizenship a regressive move, by Tika R. Pradhan (kp 22/06/2020)  [Long live male Bahunbad with its misogynistic patriarchal thinking! Laws must apply equally to all people, regardless of gender!]

The novel coronavirus poses new challenges: Equality and inclusion are critical to minimising the impact on the poor, marginalised and vulnerable, by Karuna Onta (kp 22/06/2020), Country faces challenges of COVID-19, monsoon related disasters (ht 22/06/2020), Desperate informal sector: Those in the informal sector have already been disproportionately harmed by the pandemic. They are the ones the governments struggle most to reach with targeted policies and relief, by Suresh Pandit (rep

Build safety nets: The government must buttress its support system to help those rendered jobless by the pandemic (kp 22/06/2020)

‘Enough is Enough’ movement voices concern: Organisers condemn caste and gender-based violence taking place in quarantine facilities (ht 21/06/2020)

Out-of-job domestic workers are struggling for survival even as lockdown is relaxed: Up to 85 percent of domestic workers lost their jobs during the lockdown—and now there is no safety net for them, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 21/06/2020)

Seven years since the Mahakali floods, victims await compensation: Residents of Khalanga fear possible floods every monsoon, as the embankments that were damaged seven years ago are yet to be reconstructed, by Manoj Badu (kp 21/06/2020)

NCP decides to make foreign women married to Nepali nationals wait for 7 years after marriage to acquire citizenship (rep 20/06/2020) [Any unequal treatment of women and men is a blatant violation of the principle of equality of the Constitution and internationally recognised human rights. The male Tagdhari, who dominate Nepal, show here their archaic-patriarchal way of thinking, which denies Nepalese women a free choice of partner and life style. Only foreign wives of Nepalese men are entitled to naturalization, whenever, but never the foreign husbands of Nepalese women!], All-male party Secretariat decides on citizenship, an issue that largely concerns women: If the ruling Nepal Communist Party does not take steps to make its committees more inclusive, its decisions could lose moral authority, women leaders say, by Tika R. Pradhan (kp 21/06/2020),
Residence permit with economic, social and cultural rights proposed for foreign women married to Nepali nationals until they get citizenship cards (rep 21/06/2020) [And Nepali women who are married to foreigners have to leave the country? But of course, women are not really human beings and citizens, only men, especially male Bahuns! What arrogance! What machismo!!]

Police arrest in-laws over death of Hetauda woman: Investigators, family of deceased believe she was murdered, by Shuvam Dhungana (kp 20/06/2020)

Women’s rights groups call for safe, dignified repatriation and reintegration of returnee female migrant workers: They have demanded that the government allow registration of illegally migrated women workers with the Foreign Employment Board and ensure the rights of returnee women migrant workers, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 19/06/2020)

As 30,000 plus swab samples pile up, patients have to wait for up to three weeks to get results (rep 19/06/2020)

Covid-19 – A triggering factor for domestic violence, by Niruta Timalsina and Nisha Parajuli  (ht 18/06/2020)

No justice, no peace: Young people are coming out for the very first time to protest against injustices. These newly minted activists may change the world profoundly, by Pramod Mishra (kp 18/06/2020)

Dalit killings in Rukum village spark outrage over caste discrimination (ht 18/06/2020)

Two years on, parties are still undecided on naturalised citizenship: State Affairs and Good Governance Committee has given five days to the parties to arrive at consensus or go for a vote, by Binod Ghimire (kp 18/06/2020), As parties wrestle over naturalized citizenship, thousands don't yet have the document (repn 19/06/2020)

Discharged Covid-19 infected individuals return to their villages only to be shunned: Returnees to their villages in Narainapur face hunger, poverty and ostracisation in society, by Madhu Shahi & Rupa Gahatraj (kp 18/06/2020)

Reports suspect police negligence, political protection for murderers in Rukum killings: They doubt a strong case will be presented to prosecute the perpetrators, by Tika R. Pradhan (kp 17/06/2020), Kin of the youths killed in Soti continues protest demanding justice: Protesters demand to scrap of the alleged ‘falsified’ postmortem report, by Bhim Bahadur Singh (kp 17/06/2020), Non-Dalits are not shaken to the core; the response is hollow: Dalit youths, by Anjali Subedi (rep 17/06/2020)

Home Ministry urged to curb rising violence against women (ht 17/06/2020)

Janata Socialist Party youth leader charged with rape (ht 17/06/2020)

Food insecurity increased to 23 percent; Karnali most vulnerable, by Shree Ram Subedi (rep 17/06/2020)

Supreme Court orders government to use welfare fund to repatriate Nepali workers stranded abroad: Tens of thousands of Nepalis willing to return home are still stranded for a lack of money to buy air tickets and clarity on repatriation modality, Sangam Prasain & Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 17/06/2020), Nepali embassies’ ill-treatment of workers continues even during pandemic: A video gone viral on social media shows an official at the UAE embassy cold- shoulder a Nepali man in distress, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 17/06/2020)

Police arrest labourers protesting against Melamchi project: Workers, vendors and subcontractors of the project are yet to receive over Rs169million in remuneration and provident fund, by Anish Tiwari (kp 17/06/2020)

Call for change: Through peaceful and smart protests around the country, the youth have demanded a structural transformation. It should be perceived as a warning bell by all of society, by Sujeev Shakya (kp 16/06/2020), Congress vows to take to the streets alongside politically unaffiliated youths: While the youths have largely remained politically unaffiliated so far, the involvement of the Congress is likely to bring the movement under a political flag, by Tika R. Pradhan (kp 16/06/2020) [This movement would be better left in the hands of civil society, as it directly addresses the concerns and needs of the people. For decades, all political parties, especially the Nepali Congress, have put the needs of the multi-ethnic and multicultural population behind personal power aspirations and interests!]

Study finds a litany of shortcomings and shortages in Covid-19 treatment facilities: From inadequate protective suits to lack of trained medical workers to limited testing capacity, health facilities have a host of issues keeping them from fighting the disease effectively, by Arjun Poudel kp 16/06/2020)

A woman shares her family’s harrowing journey from India to Surkhet during pandemic: Maan Kumari and her family were cruelly treated when they reached their hometown and at the quarantine centre they were accused of bringing the coronavirus, by Elisha Shrestha (kp 16/06/2020)

Over 1,200 people killed themselves during 74 days of lockdown: Doctors say the pandemic and its social and economic impacts have led to increased stressors, resulting in more mental health problems, by Arjun Poudel (kp 15/06/2020), 648 women committed suicide during lockdown: Police (kh 15/06/2020)

In-custody death of a Musahar man sparks protests in Janakpur: Police say 23-year-old Shambhu Sada committed suicide, but family members suspect it was an extra-judicial killing, by Ajit Tiwari (kp 15/06/2020) [Nepal is also ripe for an anti-racism movement and a correction of its view of history, including its questionable heroes, identifications and socio-hierarchical discrimination!]

Cases filed against 34 people demanding life imprisonment for Dalit youth killings in Soti: Homicide, attempted homicide and caste-based discrimination and untouchability charges have been filed against them, by Krishna Prasad Gautam (kp 15/06/2020), Relatives of youths killed in Soti question 'ambiguous' post-mortem reports: Protesters accuse doctors of caving under political pressure and vandalise Jajarkot hospital, by Bhim Bahadur Singh (kp 16/06/2020)

Woman in quarantine in Kailali gang raped, by Dil Bahadur Chhatyal (rep 15/06/2020)

Managing our economy: In order to kick-start the economy, citizens should receive cash or other means of relief, by Manoj Kumar Kedia (kp 15/06/2020)

FORUM-ASIA urges government to ensure safety of migrant workers returning from India: The human rights group has raised its concern about heavy congestion and lack of necessary facilities in Nepali quarantine centres (kp 14/06/2020) [See joint statement by 7 HR organisation: Nepal: Ensure safety of returning migrant workers (12/06/2020)]

Food crisis hits Bajura folks hard (ht 14/06/2020)

Police fire tear gas, shots to control quarantined people (ht 14/06/2020)

Lockdown curtailed tuberculosis patients’ access to health facilities, TB center says: A study shows detection of new tuberculosis cases declined by 50 percent during the lockdown, by Arjun Poudel (kp 14/06/2020)

Online classes could lead to fatigue, long term physiological problems, say experts: While different countries have started debating about its negative consequences, Nepal’s government is promoting virtual classes without looking into ways to deal with its downsides, they say, by Binod Ghimire (kp 13/06/2020)

Youth-led protests against the government’s handling of Covid-19 spread to major cities: On Thursday, over a thousand people in Kathmandu and hundreds more around the country demanded financial transparency and better management of the pandemic from the government, by Shuvam Dhungana (kp 12/06/2020)

Married daughter entitled to inherit parental property: SC, by Ram Kumar Kamat (ht 12/06/2020)

Quarantine centres are turning into Covid breeding ground, National Human Rights Commission warns: Government ignoring repeated calls to improve situation in quarantine facilities, says its monitoring report, by Binod Ghimire (kp 12/06/2020)

All 20 prime accused in the killings of Dalit youths in Rukum (West) arrested: Police arrested three more people on Wednesday in connection to the incident, by Hari Gautam (kp 12/06/2020)

Over 300 Nepali workers return home from Kuwait: Undocumented women workers who were pardoned by the Kuwaiti government were the first to return home, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 12/06/2020)

Nepal Media Society objects to Press Council survey report: It has concluded that the Press Council’s report disregards accepted research norms and attacks rule of law and independent journalism (kp 12/06/2020)

Skirting the issue: On paper, Nepal has made some important strides towards gender equality and inclusion. Yet, in reality, the situation is far from perfect, by Deepak Thapa (kp 11/06/2020)

For Dalits, love is forbidden: A woman’s family harbors a dislike for an inter-caste marriage only when the groom belongs to a ‘lower caste’. The dislike is greater if he happens to be a Dalit, by Giri Bahadur Sunar (rep 11/06/2020)

In Saptari, a Musahar woman is accused of practising witchcraft and beaten: Despite being beaten bloody with a metal plate, Manjudevi Sada has been ordered by the village panchayat to settle with the perpetrators and not file a case, by Abdhesh Kumar Jha (kp 11/06/2020)

Govt schedules 67 flights to repatriate Nepalis, by Arpana Ale Magar (ht 11/06/2020)

Digging for justice: Keep an eye on the parliamentar committee’s probe on Soti killings (kp 10/06/2020), Nawaraj: The spark that will light the fire: Nawaraj was brave. He walked up fearlessly and while outnumbered still tried to reason. This is the courage we will all require. Let his death not go in vain, by Binayak Sundas (rep 10/06/2020)

Water cannons and batons at protest against government’s handling of the pandemic: Police employed force to disperse around 150 people gathered in peaceful protest outside the prime minister’s residence in Baluwatar, by Anup Ojha (kp 10/06/2020), Peaceful protesters beaten up (ht 10/06/2020))

Supreme Court orders government to take special care of pregnant women: Justices say the right to safe motherhood is a right guaranteed by the constitution (kp 10/06/2020) [The fact that a court order is required speaks volumes about the competence of the government. Orders from the courts do not interest the government anyway!]

Government task force says Nepal needs 1.5 million jobs to avoid unemployment crisis: The government has set the target of creating only 700,000 jobs over the next fiscal year, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp 10/06/2020) [Job creation has been neglected by all governments for many years. Now these politicians are getting the credit!]

Khatri released in the presence of NHRC member (ht 10/06/2020)

Nepal: End impunity for caste-based discrimination and killings (Forum-Asia 09/06/2020)

Malnourished children at risk as nutrition centres are requisitioned for Covid-19 care: The country will have more deaths from malnutrition if the issue is ignored, nutrition experts have warned, by Arjun Poudel (kp 09/06/2020)

Children from low-income working class families can't join online classes: Schools and colleges across the country are rolling out online classes, but those without the means to get a computer or an internet connection are being left out, by Anup Ojha (kp 09/06/2020) [We are talking about the overwhelming majority of Nepalese school children!]

Over 40 days in a Kuwaiti camp with no sign of returning home: Undocumented workers in Kuwait had taken advantage of a general amnesty to return home, but the Nepal government has yet to let them fly into the country, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 09/06/2020))

Supreme Court asks why state shouldn’t pay for repatriation of migrant workers: Petitioners say the government’s repatriation plan contradicts the provisions of the Foreign Employment Act, as well as the constitution, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 08/06/2020), Avoid rough landing: The last thing the country needs at this moment is a repatriation disaster (kp 08/06/2020)

Rise in Covid-19 cases across the country prompts concern over already crowded prisons: Hundreds of new inmates have entered prisons since the lockdown began on March 24, by Shuvam Dhungana (kp 08/06/2020)

Time for national awakening: Murder of Nabaraj BK driven by discriminatory and racist behaviors should drive a process of national reckoning, by Simone Galimberti (rep 08/06/2020)

Authorities plan to rescue Nepalis stranded abroad. But no one knows who will pay for it: There’s no clear decision yet on who pays for travel as the government plan hints at bringing them on chartered flights, by Sangam Prasain and Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 07/06/2020)

A shadow pandemic: With the lockdown grabbing all attention, domestic violence against women is often overlooked, by Nilima Adhikari (kp 07/06/2020)

NHRC concerned about journos’ rights, condition in quarantine (ht 07/06/2020)

Odyssey of Nepali media: Nepali media deserve a cheer for their vigilance, boldness and service, by Abhi Subedi (kp 07/06/2020)

15 yrs on, Bandarmudhe blast victims still await justice (ht 06/06/2020)

Easing the lockdown and its impact on women: For women in Nepal, easing of the lockdown has potential to further compound pre-existing gender inequalities based on caste, class, geographical location and various religious conventions and beliefs, by Swasti Gautam (rep 06/06/2020)

Feed the hungry: The government can’t abandon the poor in the face of a humanitarian crisis (kp 05/06/2020)

Rukum killings ‘crime against humanity’ (ae 05/06/2020)

Famine or feast in Nepal?, by Sushma Joshi (ae 05/06/2020)

SC convicts two rape accused, overturning appellate court verdict (ht 05/06/2020)

Govt refutes UNHCR statement on freedom of expression (ht 05/06/2020)

The lockdown is killing the poor and the marginalised: In Pathari’s Musahar community, one person has already died of hunger and others are on the verge of starvation, by Binu Subedi and Abdhesh Kumar Jha (kp 04/06/2020)

Challenge To End Caste Discrimination, by Gopal Khanal (rn 04/06/2020)

Discrimination against Dalits continues to stain Nepal’s social fabric: Two recent incidents resulting in the killings of seven Dalit individuals have once again brought to light the uncomfortable fact that caste-based discrimination is alive and well, by Elisha Shrestha and Aditi Aryal (kp 03/06/2020), Parliamentary committee directs formation of Dalit cell in Nepal Police: Panel on law and justice calls for separate unit to deal with cases of caste-based discrimination, by Binod Ghimire (kp 03/06/2020)

Caste And Race Based Discrimination, by Namrata Sharma (rn 03/06/2020)

Janata Party and Samajbadi Party register private constitution amendment bill of their own: The regional parties propose amendments to 23 issues that are aimed at addressing the long-standing concerns of the Madhesis, Tharus and Janajatis, by Tika R. Pradhan (kp 02/06/23020)

Thousands of children in Kathmandu deprived of immunisation: Doctors say the capital city is highly vulnerable to outbreak of vaccine-preventable diseases, by Arjun Poudel (kp 02/06/2020)

Plan to evacuate Nepalis from abroad unveiled: Nepali Army to take care of most of the work to manage returnees, by Umesh Poudel (ht 02/06/2020)

COVID-19 and food insecurity, by Purna B. Nepali and Mahesh Bisukhey (ht 01/06/2020)

Supreme Court orders govt to provide goods to needy for preventing COVID-19 pandemic (rep 01/06/2020)

Police to probe manhandling of NMC doc (ht 01/06/2020)

NHRC deploys separate team to probe Soti incident (ht01/06/2020)

Farming falls on women's shoulders: But their work and contributions tend to be invisible to policymakers and academics, by Subarna Malla Singh (kp 31/05/2020)

Soti incident premeditated, a team of provincial assembly members concludes: Karnali state legislators call for an impartial investigation into the Dalit killings and punishment for the perpetrators, by Bhim Bahadur Singh & Hari Gautam (kp 31/05/2020)

Rights commission expresses concern over death after rape incident in Rupandehi: National Human Rights Commission says its Butwal office has started a probe into the incident (kp 30/05/2020), NHRC concerned about death of rape victim (ht 30/05/2020)

Still untouchable: Navaraj BK and his friends died because he loved an upper-caste girl. He won’t be the last, by Amish Raj Mulmi (kp 29/05/2020)

High Level Committee decides to rescue Nepalis stranded abroad: Fixes 20 checkpoints for entering from India (kh)

UN, AI demand impartial probe into Rukum incident (ht 29/05/2020), Nepal: Bachelet condemns Dalit killings, calls for independent investigation (OHCR 28/05/2020), Nepal: Authorities must deliver justice for Dalit killings (AI 28/05/2020), UN condemns Dalit killings in Rukum (West) and calls for independent probe: Despite constitutional guarantees, impunity for caste-based discrimination and violence remains high in Nepal, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights says (kp 29/05/2020), OHCHR seeks independent probe into Rukum west incident (ht 31/05/2020)

Revised regulation in Security Allowance Act hangs single helpless women out to dry: The new regulation issued by the Department of National ID and Civil Registration to exclude single women below 60 years of age from receiving the Helpless Single Woman Allowance, by Ramesh Kumar Paudel (kp 29/05/2020)

Involving men in eliminating taboos surrounding menstruation: As menstrual stigmas have largely been put in place and supported by men, their participation in uprooting these taboos is critical, gender rights activists say, by Elisha Shrestha (kp 28/05/2020)

No preparedness to handle incoming people: Two people returning from Gujarat, India died in Surkhet and Dhanusha for want of medical attention and hunger, by Kalendra Sejuwal and Ajit Tiwari (kp 28/05/2020)

Digital divide too wide for online classes to succeed in Nepal: The government has proposed online teaching-learning, but a majority of the schools and students in the country do not have computers, much less the internet, by Binod Ghimire (kp 28/05/2020), The digital divide: Supporting private investment in education will not increase access to learning during the current crisis (kp 28/05/2020)

Nepal has enough food to feed the population for 5 months: Distribution amid the lockdown is the problem, officials say, by Krishana Prasain (kp 28/05/2020) [???]

Protect rights of citizens residing in border areas: NHRC (ht 28/05/2020)

Don’t arrest quarantine escapees: SC (ht 28/05/2020)

Wage earners hit hard due to prolonged lockdown (ht 28/05/2020)

Cracks in the melting pot: The various rights bodies need serious political support to truly stamp out discrimination (kp 27/05/2020)

Thousands of Nepalis without food or shelter await entrance at the Karnali border: Migrants arriving from India are massed at the border without basic amenities as the provincial government has sought to test them all for Covid-19 before letting them in, by Aditi Aryal (kp 27/05/2020)

Dirty mop: While changing the laws governing the CIAA is a good thing, the current amendment under discussion falls below par (kp 26/05/2020)

58,769 have returned home since Mar 24: ‘Nearly 580,000 Nepalis stranded in several parts of India’ (ht 26/05/2020)

Bodies of two Dalit men recovered from Bheri River: A Dalit man went to marry a girl from ‘upper-caste’ but her family and villagers chased them into the river, by Hari Gautam and Bhim Bahadur Singh (kp 25/05/2020), Serious human rights violations against Dalits reported during lockdown: Parliamentary committee orders the government to book culprits, by Tika R. Pradhan (kp 26/05/2020), One more body recovered from the Bheri River on Monday: The third victim was among the 18 who had accompanied Nabaraj BK to Soti in Rukum (West). The deceased Nabaraj was killed in his pursuit of a girl whose family deemed him ‘untouchable’, by Bhim Bahadur Singh & Hari Gautam (kp 26/05/2020), 15 including ward chair arrested in connection with Nawaraj BK’s killing, by Dinesh Kumar Shrestha (ht26/05/2020), Caste-based discrimination ends a beautiful relationship: Even a locally-elected representative was against their relationship, by Lokendra Khanal and Ganesh Bishu (rep 26/05/2020), Government forms team to investigate the death of three youths in Rukum West: Lawmakers have demanded a parliamentary probe committee to study discriminations against Dalits throughout the country (kp 27/05/2020) [This is an extremely severe criminal case, based on Hindu fanatic thinking! Why are representatives from ministries participated? Or are you loking for ways to eliminate outdated Hindu social thinking and behaviour?], Fourth body recovered: from Bheri River: Family members and relatives of the deceased had found the body on Wednesday, by Hari Gautam (kp 28/05/2020), One more body recovered from Bheri River; death toll of Soti incident reaches five: Search is on for another missing person, police say, by Hari Gautam and Bhim Bahadur Singh (kp 29/05/2020), Soti incident: Sixth missing body found after 10 days: The deceased along with his 18 friends was attacked by Soti villagers while the group was accompanying Nabaraj BK to bring home his 17-year-old girlfriend as his bride, by Bhim Bahadur Singh (kp 03/06/2020)

Madhes-based parties press own demands alongside constitution amendment for new map: While there’s no debate on an issue of national importance, the constitutional amendment bill could be an opportune moment to address long-standing demands of Madhesis, Janajatis and Tharus, by Tika R. Pradhan (kp 24/05/2020) [The clarification of territorial claims is certainly important and decades overdue, but the inclusion of population groups that have been excluded for centuries, even under the constitution of 2015, is even more significant, a fact that the male Bahun at the head of the state and parties do not want to understand. It is problematic, however, that the leadership of the ethnic and regional parties is also exclusively male!], JSP-N seeks NC support for constitution amendment (ht 24/05/2020), Janata Samajbadi Party reiterates demand for constitutional amendment to incorporate concerns of Madhesi community: As the government prepares to revise the constitution to legitimise new map, Samajbadi leaders tell the Business Advisory Committee of Parliament that it’s also an ‘opportune’ moment to address their concerns, by Binod Ghimire (kp 25/05/2020)

Social security allowance won’t be discontinued: Minister Gurung (rn 23/05/2020), NHRC urges government not to curtail social security allowance (ht 24/05/2020)

Two months into lockdown, government yet to have a plan to bring back Nepalis from abroad: Officials say they are working on ways to repatriate citizens but there is neither evacuation protocol nor quarantine facilities and testing guarantee, by Anil Giri (kp 23/05/2020), Govt still unprepared to bring back Nepalis (ht 23/05/2020), CCMC tasked to manage returnee Nepalis (ht 23/05/2020)

Upper House endorses Bill on Special Service allowing phone tapping without court order: Legal experts say the provision could be misused by the government to silence dissidents, by Binod Ghimire (kp 21/05/2020)

Pandemic threatens to upend labour relations: Workers term employers’ decision to cut staff, wages ‘unilateral’ and ‘unacceptable’, by Sujan Dhungana (ht 21/05/2020)

At least 500,000 migrant workers want to return home at the earliest, says report: Nepal Association of Foreign Employment Agencies says 10-30 percent of jobs held by Nepalis in Malaysia and the Gulf is gone, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 21/05/2020), Government preparing to rescue migrant workers stranded abroad, by Tika R. Pradhan (kp 21/05/2020) [The Oli govt talks of 5 per cent only of those who have to return urgently!]

Is Nepali media failing to abide by ethical journalistic standards in its quest for clicks and breaking news? Media outlets, both old and new, must abide by fair and ethical reporting, along with verification of information, while reporting the news especially in the time of a pandemic, observers say, by Aditi Aryal (kp 21/05/2020)

Task force suggests ways to create 2.5 million jobs amid job losses at home and abroad due to Covid-19: Focus is on entrepreneurship, reviving sick industries and utilising land spaces allocated for the industries, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp 20/05/2020) [Such initiative is overdue for decades!]

As doctors face eviction from landlords, a hotelier offers free lodging (rep 20/05/2020)

NHRC urges govt to follow WHO protocol for quarantine facility management: Asks it to ensure all facilities meet WHO standards (ht 20/05/2020)

Govt to rescue Nepalis stranded abroad ‘on priority basis’ (ht 20/05/2020) [Given the major failings of the Oli government in the last two months, there are almost only priority cases!]

Rights watchdog urges government to follow WHO quarantine practices: National Human Rights Commission suggests using the money in relief fund in coordination between the three tiers of government (kp 19/05/2020)

Police hit 67-year-old with baton for stepping out to buy milk: Man sustains a broken bone in his right leg due to the severity of the blow, by Bhusan Yadav (kp 19/05/2020) [Both this police officer and the person who ordered such action must be brought to justice!]

Elusive justice: The government continues to hold out on completing the transitional justice process (kp 18/05/2020)

Nepal hasn’t allowed UN rapporteurs on transitional justice to visit country: The government is afraid their visit will expose it’s failure, say victims and human rights activists, by Binod Ghimire (kp 17/05/2020)

Lawmakers demand govt bring home Nepalis abroad at the earliest, by Kamal Subedi (rep 17/05/2020), International Committee seeks prompt rescue of Nepalis in crisis (kh 17/05/2020)

Nepal might have made progress when it comes to queer rights but it still has a long way to go: Although the constitution enshrines equal rights regardless of gender, sexual identity or orientation, same-sex marriage is still not legal, by Ankit Khadgi (kp 17/05/2020)

Number of NRNs to die of coronavirus reaches 96 (rep 17/05/2020)

Survivors of domestic violence are forced to “compromise” with abusive husbands, by Sher Bahadur Jero (rep 16/05/2020)

Seed money for migrant workers, entrepreneurs as government targets employment opportunities inside country: Without hassle-free procedures for accessing the initial capital and set criteria as per the vulnerability of migrant workers, the scheme can not yield expected results, experts say, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 16/05/2020), Impact of COVID-19 on Nepal’s Remittance Economy & Foreign Employment, by Sunil Kumar Chaudhary (kh 16/05/2020)

Order to shoot at fleeing patients draws flak (ht 16/05/2020)

A COVID Challenge for Nepal Army: What is the point of having a large NA in this poor country in peace-time if not to fight the human insecurity of our citizens when a global pandemic has made millions of Nepalis vulnerable?, by Kul Chandra Gautam (rep 16/05/2020)

Over 400,000 Nepalis stranded abroad appeal for rescue (kh 15/05/2020)

Prioritise rights issues in upcoming fiscal budget, says NHRC (ht 15/05/2020)

Plans after the pandemic: Nepalis knew all along that the economy, based largely on remittance, is unsustainable. But we never realised that it would meet such a chaotic fate, by Madhukar Upadhya (kp 15/05/2020)

As Covid-19 continues to weaken the health system, an estimated 4,000 children could die in Nepal in the next six months, UN agency warns: UNICEF says it fears that without urgent action, the number of children dying before their fifth birthdays is going to increase for the first time in decades (kp 14/05/2020), Cases are still rising: It’s not that lockdown measures wouldn’t have worked, it’s that the government has failed at implementing a successful regimen (kp 14/05/2020)

Motion tabled in Parliament to repatriate Nepali migrant workers: The motion of public importance tabled by Nepali Congress lawmaker Gagan Thapa recommends that the government initiate rescue and repatriation of Nepalis from Covid-19 hit countries based on their status of vulnerability, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 12/05/2020)

Unidentified group thrashes Bara journalist (ht 12/05/2020)

How Free Is Freedom Of Expression?, by Mukunda Kattel (rn 11/05/2020)

Understanding poverty: It is not only bad governance but a failure to attract foreign capital and to stop cartels from forming that has hampered development, by Niraj KC (kp 11/05/2020)

Govt told to handle crisis effectively (ht 10/05/2020)

Local governments at a loss on how to implement relief-for-work programme: Federal government last week decided to employ workers from the unorganised sector in public construction projects, but has not issued the guidelines to follow in the process, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp 10/05/2020)

Government move to reopen businesses and industries leaves many scrambling: Factory workers who had gone home, mostly to their villages, are still locked down, by Krishana Prasain (kp 10/05/2029)

Ambushes everywhere: Rolpa folks forced to go through recurring pain even 14 years after end of Maoist insurgency, by Dínesh Subedi (rep 09/05/2020) [The then responsible Maoist and army leaders as well as their political protectors must be made responsible and brought to justice!]

Thousands of Nepali migrant workers from Persian Gulf and Malaysia expected to return home soon: A study by the Foreign Employment Board has estimated that at least 127,000 migrants will return home immediately once travel restrictions are lifted, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 09/05/2020)

Hundreds of Nepalis stranded at Nepal-India borders as federal government has yet to respond: Local units in the bordering areas say they can’t let the people enter the country until the centre takes a decision, by Madhav Dhungana (kp 09/05/2020), Nepali Migrant Workers Coming From India During Lockdown Stranded At No-Man's Land (rn 09/05/2020)

Food and livelihood insecurity during a pandemic: As the services sector is bound to face a long and hard journey to a revival, the agro sector will be all the more important, by Apsara Karki (kp 08/05/2020)

Hundreds of homebound Nepalis stranded in no-man’s-land in Kapilvastu: Scores of people gathered at the border attempted to enter Nepal on Monday, but they were stopped by security personnel of the Armed Police Force, by Manoj Paudel and San ju Poudel (kp 08/02/2020) [Thank you Mr Oli for contributing so extensively to spreading the virus among desperate Nepalese migrant workers! The returnees have every right to enter their home country. It is your duty, Mr Oli, to place them in safe quarantine stations in Nepal, check their health and then transport them safely and quickly to their home villages!], Security personnel fire a warning shot to disperse crowd at a border point in Bara, by Laxmi Sah and Kamal Panthi (kp 08/02/2020)

Hundreds of homebound Nepalis stranded in no-man’s-land in Kapilvastu: Scores of people gathered at the border attempted to enter Nepal on Monday, but they were stopped by security personnel of the Armed Police Force, by Manoj Paudel and San ju Poudel (kp 08/05/2020)

For Nepali women, rampant objectification and sexualisation on the internet: One community on Reddit with more than 4,500 members has been sexualising, objectifying and humiliating women with photos taken from their social media accounts, by Aditi Aryal (kp 07/05/2020), Shedding light: It is disturbing that pages propagating rape, misogyny, paedophilia and the invasion of privacy exist (kp 08/05/2020)

NRNA Urges Government To Form Mechanism To Rescue Stranded Nepalis Abroad (rn 07/05/2020)

NHRC member slams rumour-mongers (ht 06/05/2020)

Biplav outfit leader Bandhu Chand released after 14 months (kh 06/05/2020) [The Bandhu Chand case is a prime example of the criminal contempt of judicial decisions by the Oli government!]

Government considers bringing back Nepali migrant workers from Covid-19-affected countries: Foreign Minister Gyawali says everyone will not be brought home at once, those in urgent need to return home will be prioritised in the first phase, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 05/05/2020), Govt plans to evacuate over 35,000 illegal migrants (ht 05/05/2020)

Where government efforts have faltered, the people have come to the rescue: In the absence of governmental efforts, many individuals and communities across the country are working to ensure that relief reaches the most vulnerable, by Aditi Aryal (kp 04/05/2020) [The top politicians in government and political parties are only interested in their power struggles. They know neither their duties nor the rules of democracy, not to mention human rights and respect for the constitution and laws!]

Extended lockdown brings many women entrepreneurs to the brink of failure: Women entrepreneurs are engaged in agriculture, handicraft, hospitality and other service sectors, by Krishana Prasain (kp 04/05/2020)

Can human rights be set aside in our fight against Covid-19? The answer is no. We have to do everything possible to make sure human rights are front and centre when we deal with the pandemic, by Mohna Ansari (kp 03/05/2020)

Media facing hard time during pandemic (ht 03/05/2020)

Ensure strict implementation of lockdown: PM; 'Don't allow Nepali citizens stranded in India to enter Nepal' (kh 03/05/2020) [All Nepalese citizens have the right to retun to their country! It is the duty of the PM and his goverment to take care of their safe return! Oli tries to cover up his incompetence with authoritarian orders!]

Man arrested for raping 15-year-old girl in Dang (kh 03/05/2020)

Oli seizes May Day address to take the media to task for “promoting instability”: While Oli’s aversion to the media is nothing new, commentators say that it is worrying that the prime minister has threatened to use the ruling party to combat dissent, by Binod Ghimire (kp 02/05/2020) [No one causes more instability in Nepal than Khadga Prasad Sharma Oli. His threat to the media, adorned with false statements, is an authoritarian attack on basic human rights and democracy!]

Create employment opportunities for workers affected due to Covid-19 through new budget, say experts: As workers at home struggle without jobs and tens of thousands of migrant workers are likely to return home, experts suggest the government should be ready to provide jobs through the upcoming budget, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 02/05/2020), On International Labour Day, workers remain under lockdown racked with uncertainty caused by Covid-19 pandemic: Labour right activists say the government has failed to assure worker’ safety and employment even if they have been languishing at home and abroad for a long time now, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 02/05/2020)

Hospitals turn away patients with fever, by Laxmi Gautam (ht 02/05/2020)

Human rights monitoring panel formed in all districts: Government urged to protect migrant workers and students during lockout (ht 01/05/2020)

OHCHR urges govt to amend TJ law in support of SC ruling (rep 01/05/2020) [see OHCHR Press briefing note on Nepal], Four int'l HR bodies urge govt to immediately amend TJ law in line with Supreme Court ruling (rep 01/05/2020) [see press statement by AI, HRW, ICJ and TRIAL International], International rights bodies, UN welcome Supreme Court decision on transitional justice: Government should now amend the law to comply with the verdict, they say, by Binod Ghimire (kp 02/05/2020), SC’s decision reaffirms need to amend transitional justice law: Rights bodies (ht 02/05/2020)

Expecting mother expelled from operation theatre (ht 01/05/2020)

Stigma against health workers, patients and area locals continues in coronavirus hotspots: In districts like Udayapur that have reported a high number of Covid-19 cases, health workers and local residents are being shunned and treated as pariahs, by Arhun Poudel (kp 01/05/2020)

Information, please! The government needs to communicate its lockdown policies better to the people, by Amish Raj Mulmi (kp 01/05/2020)

Around 1,300 Nepalis stranded in bordering Indian district brought home: Hundreds of home-bound Nepali workers were quarantined in the border area after Nepal-India border was sealed amid fear of Covid-19 around a month ago, by Manoj Badu (kp 01/05/23020) [It would have been the duty of the Oli government to arrange this about five weeks ago!]

Govt launches relief package targeting workers, by Sujan Dhungana (ht 01/05/2020)

Four children killed in a bomb blast in Rolpa: Two of the deceased children are said to be from the same family, by Kashiram Dangi (kp 01/05/2020)

Journalist Pathak arrested on charge of defaming NCP chairman Dahal (rep 30/04/2020), Cyber Bureau arrests journo for social media post (ht 01/05/2020)

SC orders govt to fully implement sentence determination Act (rep 30/04/2020)

Cash-strapped youths set on foot to Kailali from Bajura amid lockdown (ht 30/04/2020)

COVID-19 recovery must deliver universal health insurance, safety nets and affordable internet access: UN (rep 30/04/2020)

In Province 5, sexual harassment and domestic abuse cases are getting more severe: A large number of sexual harassment cases in the province still go unreported, said police, by Sanju Poudel (kp 29/04/2020)

Seven rape cases reported in Kapilbastu in a month (kh 29/04/2020)

Measles outbreaks reported in five districts including in Kathmandu and Lalitpur in last one month: Doctors warns continuous disruption in routine immunisation could put lives of thousands of children at risk, by Arjun Poudel (kp 29/04/2020)

Nepalis stranded in India continue to brave Mahakali River to return home: More than 30 people tried to cross the boundary river this weekend, by Manoj Badu (kp 29/04/2020) [Responsible for the crime is Mr. Oli, who claims the right to deny Nepali citizens a safe return to their villages]

Has Covid-19 exposed the stark inequality between Nepal's haves and have-nots? Social distancing, the primary weapon to prevent the pandemic from spreading, is a privilege, by Sushrey Nepal (kp 28/04/2020)

Communities come together to respond to the Covid crisis: In an inspirational display of humanity, several groups around Kathmandu are making sure the most vulnerable in our society have food to eat in this time of crisis, by Srizu Bajracharya and Anup Ojha (kp 28/04/2020)

Private Hospitals & Medical Ethics, by Yam Bahadur Dura (rn 28/04/2020)

Removal of Bhattarai’s interview from Radio Nepal draws flak (ht 28/04/2020), Communications Ministry seeks clarification from Radio Nepal Executive Director (kh 28/04/2020), Clarifications sought from Radio Nepal chief Karki:  Asked why and how he allowed invectives against PM; Told to justify his performance (ht 29/094/2020)

Journos briefly taken into custody (ht 28/04/2020)

SC rejects govt’s request to review verdict on transitional justice (rep 27/04/2020), Supreme Court thwarts attempt to retain amnesty provisions in transitional justice law: The government now has no option but to amend the law to adhere to the court’s February 2015 landmark order, by Binod Ghimire (kp 28/04/2020)

Rights body urges government to study situation of Nepalis stranded in foreign countries: The National Human Rights Commission has asked the government to make arrangements for food and shelter for Nepali workers in foreign labour destinations and to plan for their rescue, repatriation and reintegration if the situation further worsens, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 27/04/2020)

Nepal Police’s refusal to register Surendra Yadav abduction case raises questions about its neutrality: Many believe police are acting on order from on high to not register the case, especially since: it involves powerful political actors and a former chief of police, by Shuvam Dhungana Tika R Pradhan (kp 27/04/2020), Police refuse to book former IG, NCP MPs (ht 27/04/2020), NC, RPP and People's Socialist Party demand legal action against those involved in 'kidnapping' lawmaker Yadav (rep 28/04/2020), After police, district attorney also refuses to register complaint against alleged kidnapping of lawmaker Yadav: District attorney asked the complainants to leave an application, but didn’t file the complaint, Janata Samajbadi leaders said (kp 29/04/2020), JSP-N MP’s abduction case a hot potato: Govt attorney accused of turning deaf ear to kidnapping complaint against ex-IG, lawmakers (ht 29/04/2020), Janata Samajbadi Party lawmaker Yadav knocks NHRC door, accusing NCP lawmakers and ex-IGP Khanal of kidnapping him (rep 30/04/2020), After police and district attorney’s refusal to take complaint, lawmaker Surendra Yadav approaches human rights commission: Commission asks Nepal Police to explain in writing why it refused to register Yadav’s case and ensure his and his family’s safety (kp 01/05/2020)

Municipalities seek government funds to provide essentials to families affected by Covid-19 lockdown: Municipal Association of Nepal have also asked provincial and federal governments funds to continue their relief distribution programmes, by Prithvi Man Shrestha (kp 25/04/2020), Lockdown affected families continue to struggle for relief package as Province 2 retains the relief campaign: As lockdown hit daily wage workers and poor groups await relief, Province 2 government decides to take over relief distribution following reports of irregularities and discriminations during relief distribution, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 25/04/2020)

Quake survivors struggle in crammed homes, housing grant insufficient (ht 25/04/2020)

A normal monsoon this year could boost agricultural output, if only farmers weren’t under lockdown: A labour shortage due to the Covid-19 pandemic and a potential shortage of chemical fertiliser could offset any potential gains from the monsoon, say economists, by Sangam Prasain and Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 25/04/2020), Lockdown adversely affecting vegetable farmers in Dhangadhi: While the farmers are compelled to throw away their vegetables due to lack of buyers given the lockdown, consumers are compelled to buy vegetables from middlemen at exorbitant prices, by Mohan Budhaair.(kp 25/04/2020)

Five years after earthquake schools and health centres await reconstruction: The tenure of the national reconstruction authority likely to be extended by at least one year, by Binod Ghimire (kp 25/04/2020)

Former secy arrested for cyber offence (ht 24/04/2020), Freedom Forum concerned (ht 24/04/2020), Attorney’s office file a court case against former government secretary Upadhyaya for cyber crime: Upadhyaya was arrested for his critical comments against the Oli government on his social media, by Shuvam Dhungana (kp 27/04/2020), It's a free country: The government must remember it is serving a democratic country where people have a voice (kp 27/04/2020), Former secy charged with ‘defaming govt, prime minister’ (ht 27/04/2020), Former secy Upadhyay’s arrest shows govt hell-bent on silencing critics (rep 27/04/2020), Ex-secretary Upadhyaya released on bail (kh 27/04/2020)

Human Rights in the time of COVID-19, by Sushil Koirala (ht 24/04/2020)

Some relief package: Officials should serve the people, not con them (kp 23/04/2020)

Mahottari sees rise in illegal mining of construction aggregate during lockdown: Two journalists were threatened for covering the story about illegal mining in the district on Thursday, by Sunita Baral (kp 23/04/2020)

Dying to get home: Both Modi and Oli did not have the imagination and sensitivity to anticipate the hardships that migrant workers would face by the lockdown, by Pramod Mishra (kp 23/04/2020)

How one Pokhara resident led a smear campaign to get an American kicked out of the country: After his romantic advances were rejected, one individual used his influence with an online news portal to smear and discredit a foreigner, a month-long Post investigation has revealed, by Shuvam Dhungana and Pranaya SJB Rana (kp 23/04/2020)

Nepal slips 6 ranks on RSF index (ht 22/04/2020) [Lowest ranking since 2014! See RSF comment and index 2020], Nepal loses six spots on global press freedom index to rank 112th out of 180 countries: Environment for journalists working for independent media outlets has been extremely difficult, Reporters Without Borders report says, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 23/04/2020), Press freedom violation and political intolerance on the rise in Nepal, says report: The Annual World Press Freedom Report paints a grim picture of freedom of expression, press freedom and rights of journalists in the past year (kp 03/05/2020)

Chepangs face a humanitarian crisis: The impact of the lockdown on vulnerable communities does not appear on the government's radar, by Biwash Chepang (kp 22/04/2020)

Bardiya’s poor are starving while the local unit has been slow to distribute relief: According to data by the ward office, around 200 daily wage earners in the ward have been severely affected by the lockdown, by Kamal Panthi (kp 22/04/2020)

Kalaiya mayor arrested on charge of selling substandard lentils: Police on Saturday sealed a grocery store run by Raya and sent the sample of the lentils to the Regional Food Technology and Quality Control Office in Hetauda for a quality test, by Laxmi Sah (kp 22/04/2020)

COVID-19: Yet Again Poor Are Hardest Hit, by Achyut Tiwari (rn 22/04/2020)

Like most vulnerable groups, soon-to-be and new mothers face an uncertain near future: With hospitals and public transportation shut, expecting and new mothers can’t go for regular check-ups for themselves and their children, by Elisha Shrestha & Thomas Heaton (kp 22/04/2020)

Plight Of Labourers And Migrant Workers, by Namrata Sharma (rn 22/04/2020)

With hundreds of thousands of migrants predicted to return home, Nepal needs to brace for a crisis: Hundreds of thousands of Nepalis who work abroad are likely to lose their jobs in the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic, and they will come home looking for employment, by Prithvi Man Shrestha and Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 22/04/2020) [The leading politicians in government and parties are only interested in power struggles! They do not understand their main tasks in the interest of the state and the people! PM Oli's recent actions are the best example!]

Thousands of stranded people transported to their hometowns (ht 22/04/2020)

Three Nepalis arrested for entering country during lockdown, sent back to India, by Prabhat Kumar Jha (ht 22/04/2020) [????]

Two weeks on, 181 people quarantined in Jamunaha still waiting to get home: Nepalis, including migrant workers from 26 districts arrived at the border crossing from various parts of India, by Rupa Gahatraj (kp 22/04/2020)

More than 400 prisoners released from across the country to prevent outbreak of Covid-19: Over half of those released were serving their time in juvenile correction homes: Court had ordered government to free jailbirds sentenced up to a year for minor crimes, by Shuvam Dhungana (kp 22/04/2020)

While produce rots in Nepal’s fields, food imports continue from India: Vegetables are piling up on Birgunj farms even as 15 to 20 trucks laden with vegetables arrive from the south every day, by Bhusan Yadav and Sangam Prasain (kp 21/04/2020)

Supreme Court’s intervention sought to stop police from using excessive force during lockdown: Security personnel have been found beating up people who were out during the lockdown to buy essentials and medical workers (kp 21/04/2020)

Local governments in Dang arrange vehicles for migrants heading home on foot: Dang, the gateway to hilly districts such as Rolpa, Rukum, Pyuthan and Salyan, has seen a surge in the number of migrants trying to go home, by Durga Lal KC (kp 21/04/2020)

A worrying rise in Islamophobia ever since a number of Muslim men were diagnosed with Covid-19: Speculation that Muslims are knowingly spreading Covid-19 has begun to spread, aided and abetted by social media and some online news portals, by Aditi Aryal (kp 21/04/2020)

An unequal world for migrant workers: What migrants need most is comprehensive social protection which will strengthen their capacity to cope, by Kripa Basnyat (kp 21/04/2020)

15-point suggestion put forth to manage COVID-19 situation (ht 20/04/2020)

Women group presents charter of demands (ht 20/04/2020)

Stranded people taken to their hometowns (ht 20/04/2020)

A day after Covid-19 cases double, Health Ministry goes after frontline doctor for critical comments: The ministry has summoned Dr Sher Bahadur Pun, a virologist at the Sukraraj Hospital, for a clarification over his public statements on the Covid-19 pandemic, by Arjun Poudel (kp 19/04/2020) [Oli and his government obviously don't like it at all when the people's right to information in the Corona crisis is fulfilled by competent doctors, because this exposes their own incompetence!]

Northern Humla braces for a food shortage: Humla saw a prolonged snowfall this winter and the route to Taklakot was closed before the pandemic, by Chhapal Lama (kp 18/04/2020)

Families of daily wage earners, impoverished Dalit communities in Province 2 deprived of reliefs even after three weeks of nationwide lockdown: Most of the local bodies are yet to implement the budget released by the provincial executive for relief distribution even after three weeks of the lockdown (kp 18/04/2020)

Govt urged to protect rights of marginalised, needy people (ht 17/04/2020)

While dealing with Covid-19, government should not lose sight of other infectious diseases, say doctors: With the onset of summer, infectious diseases like malaria, typhoid, dengue, and cholera could lead to epidemics of their own if focus stays on the coronavirus, they say, by Arjun Poudel (kp 17/04/2020)

Police sub-inspector beat up health worker in Dharan: Health workers staged a protest outside the city demanding action the officer following the incident, by Pradeep Menyangbo (kp 17/04/2020) [The policemen's mistaken idea that they could beat other people at any time has not changed a bit since the royal panchayat era!], Departmental action should be initiated against police personnel who manhandled doctors, committee concludes: It follows reports that personnel from Maharajgunj Police Circle manhandled three doctors returning from work on Wednesday night, by Shuvam Dhungana (kp 17/04/2020) [Disciplinary measures are not enough. There must also be criminal proceedings in public courts!],DSP relieved of duty for thrashing doctors (ht 17/04/2020), Police Punish 50 Morning Walkers (rn 17/04/2020) [The police have to guarantee law and order, but they have no right to order punishment.]

SC seeks govt explanation over its delay to release detainees involved in petty crimes (rep 17/04/2020)

Court issues interim order to rescue workers stranded abroad: At least 20,000 Nepalis stranded in various Indian states wish to return home (kp 17/04/2020), SC asks govt to bring back migrant Nepalis stranded in foreign lands, by Ram Kumar Kamat (ht 17/04/2020) [The SC decision is an order to the government, not a request. The Oli government must implement this court decision immediately!], Hundreds Workers Stranded On Border Between Dhading And Chitwan (rn 17/04/2020), Hundreds trudging home stuck on the road (ht 17/04/2020), Thousands brave long, painful walk home as Singha Durbar goes to sleep (rep 17/04/2020), Apex court orders govt to repatriate Nepali nationals stranded abroad (rep 17/04/2020), Return Of Migrant Workers, by Siddhi B. Ranjitkar (km 17/04/2020), Undocumented and overstaying Nepalis in Kuwait could be deprived of amnesty as Nepal is under lockdown: Kuwait government has offered a general amnesty to undocumented workers allowing them to leave the country without having to pay any fines and airfares and also the option to return Kuwait later, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 18/04/2020)

Many in Kathmandu Valley can neither stay here nor go home: Without adequate rations and no savings, many are making a long walk back to their hometowns, by Anup Ojha (kp 17/04/2020), Workers making their way across districts on foot to reach their hometowns: Authorities are asking respective local units to make arrangements for the passing workers’ stay in quarantine facilities, by Agandhar Tiwari (kp 17/04/2020)

Nepal Army contacting people who bought SIM cards recentl: Officials working under the assumption that those who returned to Nepal would have bought new mobile numbers, by Binod Ghimire (kp 17/04/2020) [????]

4.6 million Nepalis are food-insecure, and 10% have severe need, by Shree Ram Subedi (rep 16/04/2020), WFP reports on food security exaggerated: Nepal Government, by Shree Ram Subedi (22/04/2020)

The pandemic is reinforcing social inequalities: For minority groups already suffering under various inequalities, the pandemic and the lockdown are already furthering their marginalisation, by Aditi Aryal (kp 16/04/2020)

“We don’t want to die in this desert”: Nepali workers in the UAE plead to be brought home: Dozens of Nepalis have already been forced to live on the streets with no shelter and nothing to eat after quitting their jobs, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 16/04/2020)

Oli cautioning party members to keep distance from media reflects a lack of trust, leaders say: Unhappy with leaks, Oli asks all aides, ministers and party members to keep the media at bay, by Anil Giri (kp 16/04/2020) [This means a fundamental violation of constitution and democratic principles!!]

‘Qatar illegally expelled Nepali migrant workers during COVID-19 panic’ (ht 16/04/2020), Qatar used coronavirus pandemic as a ruse to expel Nepali migrant workers, Amnesty International says: Over 400 Nepalis were deported to Nepal last month after local authorities accused them of not abiding by government measures while tens of thousands of Nepali workers continue to live in squalid labour camps in Qatar, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp) 17/04/2020)

Man in police custody for raping woman inside moving truck: Police say the driver was released after the woman vouched his innocence, by Shuvam Dhungana (kp 15/04/2020)

VAW in lockdown: More than 104 cases in two weeks, by Sabina Karki (kh 15/04/2020)

With parliament out of session, role of civil society crucial to hold government to account, say observers: Despite the fact that civil society has largely been coopted by the parties, their role is necessary to act as an effective check on the government’s excesses, they say, by Tika R. Pradhan (kp 14/04/2020)

Woman dies trying to protect son from police thrashing (ht 14/04/2020), Woman dies in stampede following clash between police and locals in Saptari: The incident occurred as security personnel were taking action against the locals who had gathered in the market place, by Bharat Jarghamagar and Abdhesh Kumar Jha (kp 14/04/2020)

Lockdown an additional burden for daily wage-earning women in Banke: Women travel every day to the jungles to collect firewood for a lack of cooking gas at home, by Madhu Shahi (kp 14/04/2020)

After spending Rs 700 million to identify the poor, Nepal still doesn't have their database: Experts say there is a complete lack of a system to identify the poor and the needy ones, by Shree Ram Subedi (rep 12/04/2020)

In the wake of lockdowns and supply chain disruptions, a potential food crisis looms: Since Nepal relies almost entirely on imports of chemical fertilisers, any disruption to the supply chain could quickly escalate into a food crisis, say experts, by Sangam Prasain (kp 11/04/2020), Farmers are selling their produce for a pittance even as customers are paying exorbitant prices: The lockdown has meant that farmers are unable to travel to Kathmandu to sell their produce, relying instead on middlemen who are maximising profits, by Aditi Aryal (kp 11/04/2020)

People with disabilities who depend on daily income suffer due to nationwide lockdown: They don’t get relief from municipalities because they don’t have local IDs, by Anup Ojha (kp 11/04/2020)

Faced with a lack of cash and employment opportunity, Kalikot locals who returned from India brace for an uncertain future: The local units do not have a concrete plan yet on how to tackle the mass unemployment that the crisis has wrought, by Tularam Pandey (kp 10/04/2020)

Relief packages elude the poorest of the poor: Most lack documents needed to cl, by Ujjwal Satyal (ht 10/04/2020)

Grow your own: When it comes to staples, Nepal needs to get back to its roots (kp 09/04/2020), Food during the coronavirus crisis: Governments are responding to the health emergency as they rightly should, but ensuring food supply is equally vital, by Arun GC (kp 09/04/2020)

Food crisis hits haliya families hard in Bajura, by Prakash Singh (ht 09/04/2020)

Protracted lockdown hits squatter families hard: Families of daily wage earners in Biratnagar and Dhading stare at trouble as local governments fail to distribute relief, by Deonarayan Sah and Harihar Singh Rathour (kp 08/04/2020)

‘Keep rights at centre during emergency measures’ (ht 08/04/2020)

Journos not allowed to collect coronavirus news (ht 08/04/2020)

Silent at the top: During times of crisis, clear information from the government is reassuring—especially from the very top. (kp 07/04/2020) [Oli and his colleagues have no idea of the people's right and the government's duty to information!]

Ensure every person’s right to health: NHRC (ht 06/04/2020)

Give priority to needy people in relief distribution: MoFAGA (ht 06/04/2020)

Winter crops lie unharvested in the fields as the lockdown forces farmers indoors: There are many who say that farmers should be allowed to work in the fields, as there is little danger of contracting Covid-19 while working five or six feet apart, by Sangam Prasain (kp 06/04/2020) [Is there a need for other evidence of the government's high level of incompetence? The people have a right to food!]

Coronavirus testing hospitals in Province 1 shirk their responsibility: Patients with flu-like symptoms are being referred to BP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences without tests, doctors at Dharan-based hospital say, by Pradeep Menyangbo (kp 05/04/2020), Gandaki government orders hospitals to treat patients, or face action: The directive comes three days after the Supreme Court ordered the centre to make arrangements to treat Covid-19 patients, by Lal Prasad Sharma (kp 05/04/2020)

Quake-displaced people reeling under food crisis (ht 05/04/2020)) [All governments since 2015 share responsibility for this continued situation!]

The perilous journey of five Jumla natives from Ambedkarnagar to Surkhet: The government could have facilitated their travel from Rupaidiha but they were left completely neglected, say the returnees, by Kalendra Sejuwal (kp 04/04/2020)

Migrant workers must not be left behind: Migrant workers have contributed to keeping the economy afloat. Now it's time for the government to do its part, by Babu Ram Pant (kp 04/04/2020)

Detainees languish in police custody amid closure of court (ht 04/04/2020)

Migrant workers must not be left behind: Migrant workers have contributed to keeping the economy afloat. Now it's time for the government to do its part, by Babu Ram Pant (kp 03/04/2020)

Here is why PM's IT consultant Asgar Ali has been a controversial figure (rep 02/04/2020), Kathmandu Press accuses its site developer of removing a news article without consent: The article had alleged the involvement of the sons of the Defence Minister and the prime minister’s chief advisor, along with Oli’s IT consultant, in procuring medical equipment from China (kp 02/04/2020), Editors jointly condemn unauthorised removal of published content (ht 03/04/2020), Editors demand probe into news removal by PM's aides (rep 03/04/2020), PM's Press Adviser Thapa Refutes FNJ Statement Over Removal Of News Content (rn 03/04/2020), Panic spikes as PM's IT guru Ali has access to people's private data, by Sunil Sapkota (rep 04/04/2020)

Red flag placed on housetops to identify people coming from abroad in Dolakha (ht 02/04/2020) [One must not discriminate against anyone just because he/she has been abroad. The virus can be carried by anyone!], Foreign returnees facing humiliation (ht 02/04/2020)

Destigmatizing corona patients: There has always been a close relation between disease and discrimination, which leads to stigmatization. We should not allow this to happen in Nepal, by Rakshya Ojha (rep 02/04/2020)

Over 1,000 laborers stranded at border: Far west at high risk of COVID-19 outbreak; One laborer dies; Over 100,000 returnees from India not in self-quarantine, neither is their health condition tested, by Dil Bahadur Chhatyal and Bira Gadal (rep 02/04/2020)), More than 8,000 foreign-returnees enter Karnali (kh 02/04/2020), Concern raised over Nepalis stranded on border (ht 03/04/2020),
Temporary quarantine facility built on no man’s land to keep more than a hundred Nepalis caught at Indo-Nepal border in Nepalgunj: Around two dozen Nepalis stuck in Valmiki Nagar in Bihar complain of authorities’ apathy towards them, by Rupa Gahatraj and Narayan Sharma (kp 03/04/2020)

SC writ sought to bring Nepalis stranded in Dharchula (rep 02/04/2020)

Support working families to reduce impact of COVID-19: UN agencies to govt (rep 02/04/2020)

Patients with fever being turned away due to COVID fear, by Sabitri Dhakal (ht 02/04/2020), Private health facilities refusing service to face music (ht 02/04/2020), A 52-year-old woman dies after seeking treatment at four different hospitals in a day: Two hospitals in Biratnagar refused to treat the patient who was suffering from high fever on suspicions of being a Covid-19 case, victim’s daughter says, by Deo Narayan Sah (kp 02/04/2020)

Here is why PM's IT consultant Asgar Ali has been a controversial figure (rep 02/04/2020)

Govt scraps contract with Omni Group: Didn’t receive medical equipment in time; COVID testing kits don’t meet standards set by the World Health Organisation; Govt flayed for ordering kits that are known for showing false negative results (ht 02/04/2020), Health Ministry cancels tender to purchase medical equipment from China over controversy: Controversy had erupted over the government's decision to purchase medical equipment from China despite high costs and concerns over standards, by Arjun Poudel (kp 02/04/2020), Making money off misery: The government must be wrong to believe that citizens can't hold it to account while in quarantine (kp 02/04/2020)

Rise in GBV, sexual abuse cases feared (ht 01/04/2020)

Fear and loathing: Stigma and ostracisation for those who’ve returned from abroad: There are increasing reports of returnees, and actual Covid-19 patients, being ostracised and stigmatised by their communities, by Elisha Shrestha (kp 01/04/2020)

House owner arrested after he forces nurse to evacuate, by Devendra Banet (rep 01/04/2020)

Wage Earners’ Distress During Lockdown, by Arju Dahal (rn 01/04/2020)

Supreme Court orders government to ensure vulnerable people’s right to food: The court asks government authorities to apprise it of what they are doing for food security, by Tika R. Pradhan (kp 31/03/2020), Hunger looms as the economy stops: The government needs to act to neutralise the threats to food and nutrition security from the lockdown, by Shobha Poudel (kp 31/03/2020)

Nepalis are swimming across the Mahakali to get home: Around 500 Nepali migrant workers are currently stuck at the border with India in Darchula because of the ongoing lockdown, and they're desperate to get back., by Manoj Badu (kp 31/03/2020) [Health precautions must be taken, but Nepalese citizens have the right to enter their own country even in times of Corona! This is tantamount to temporary expatriation!], Around 400 Nepalis stranded at Sunauli border point stage a sit-in: The Nepalis reached Sunauli border point from various parts of India three days ago and are waiting to be allowed in, by Madhav Dhungana (kp 31/03/2020), Nepal, India to care for each other's nationals headed homeward: Won't allow cross-border movement until lockdown is over, by Kosh Raj Koirala (rep 01/04/2020) [??]

Migrants’ rights groups call on government to repatriate and protect the workers stranded overseas: They have also urged the government to introduce a relief package to support the families of migrant workers affected by the pandemic, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 31/03/2020)

Man accused of raping minor arrested (ht 31/03/2020)

More than 2,000 lockdown violators punished (ht 31/03/2020), [The police have no right to punish anybody! This would be a task of the judiciary! It's time for the police to under stand their limits!]

Private hospitals not taking fever patients, forcing people to seek treatment at state-run health facilities: The government is considering seeking clarification from the hospitals turning down patients, Health Ministry spokesperson says, by Arjun Poudel (kp 31/03/2020), Attending corona patients a must for private hospitals: SC (ht 01/04/2020)

Relief for hunkered down populace: Tax payment deadline extended; 25pc discount on electricity tariff; Tax rebate for house owners if they waive one-month rent (ht 30/03/2020) [And what about food supply?], City’s squatters, homeless stare at spectre of starvation, by Ujjwal Satyal (ht 30/03/2020), Over 6,000 brick kiln workers left in a lurch (ht 30/03/2020)

As Covid-19 fears grow, some medical personnel face eviction from their homes: Reports of medical personnel being forced to work without adequate protection have only aggravated discriminatory behaviour from landlords, say doctors, by Arjun Poudel & Aditi Aryal (kp 30/03/2020)

For many domestic violence survivors, the lockdown means being locked in with their abusers: As countries across the world go into lockdown over Covid-19, cases of domestic violence are rising, by Elisha Shrestha (kp 29/03/2020)

Daily wage earners in Tanahun face starvation (ht 29/03/2020)

COVID-19 patient accuses doctors of denying him treatment, by Tekendra Deuba (ht 29/03/2020)

COVID-19 fears: 21 inmates released from Siraha jail (kh 29/03/2020) [The Siraha prison still exceeds the prison capacity by three and a half times!]

Govt Releases 78 Inmates Amid COVID-19 Fears, by Purushottam P. Khatri (rn 28/03/2020)

Govt told to ensure smooth supply of daily essentials (ht 27/03/2020)

Daily wagers bear the brunt of lockdown, govt fails to provide reprieve: ‘It appears the government has not consulted well with experts and emulated best practices’ , by Rupak D. Sharma(ht 27/03/2020), KMC to provide relief package to homeless, daily wage earners (ht 28/03/2020)

Authorities told to protect health workers, disadvantaged sections of society (ht 27/03/2020)

Nepalis in Qatar live in overcrowded and squalid conditions even during pandemic: In the wake of the Covid-19 outbreak, Qatar imposed a harsh lockdown on camps where migrant workers live in close quarters with inadequate amenities, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 26/03/2020)

Hopes of Nepalis stuck abroad dashed (ht 26/03/2020) [This is tantamount to justifying a temporary exile!]

Essentials may run out, the government needs to ensure supply: In the long run, Nepal must prioritise growing more food domestically (kp 26/03/2020), Govt having tough time managing essential supplies (rep 26/03/2020), India lockdown hits supply of daily essentials in Nepal: Foreign Ministry requested to resolve issue (kh 26/03/2020), NHRC urges govt to ensure smooth supply of daily essentials (kh 26/03/2020)

Decision to ban entry of Nepalis returning from abroad challenged: ‘Move violates rights of Nepalis stranded in foreign countries’ (ht 25/03/2020), Govt allows entry of Nepalis stranded on Indian border (rep 25/03/2020) [Govt has no right to prevent that Nepali citizens enter their own country!]

No concrete steps yet to help migrant workers (ht 25/03/2020)

For Nepali migrant workers abroad, no hearth and no home: As Nepal has closed itself off to all incomers, including its own citizens, even Nepalis migrants who have visas expiring are unable to come back home, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 24/03/2020)

In Butwal, juvenile delinquents are compelled to stay at a crowded correctional facility without proper means: As a result of the overcrowding, many suffer from skin-related diseases, by Amrita Anmol (kp 22/03/2020)

Neighbour confesses to rape and murder of 17-year-old girl in Ilam (ht 21/03/2020)

Hospitals with 50 or more beds told to suspend non-urgent checkups, surgeries (rep 21/03/2020) [This will affect basic health care, especially in rural areas!]

17 weekly newspapers cease print editions on COVID-19 fears (rep 21/03/2020) [Limiting right to information!]

Govt prepares to reduce number of prisoners and detainees amid virus scare: The Office of the Attorney General has requested the Supreme Court’s Full Bench to make necessary changes to the existing legal provisions to reduce the possibility of outbreaks in overcrowded prisons and detention centres, by Tika R. Pradhan (kp 20/03/2020), Convicts sentenced to less than year to be freed on bail or without bail (rep 20/03/2020)

Your ‘rightful’ place: When people talk of Dalit, Janajati or NGO leadership it is the same old faces that reap benefit without being questioned. This leads to new form of othering and exclusion, by Pranab Kharel and Gaurab KC (rep 19/03/2020)

House committee all set to endorse a bill allowing intelligence agencies to intercept suspicious conversations: Main opposition has demanded that it should be moved ahead only if there is a guarantee that the provision is not misused, by Binod Ghimire (kp 19/03/2020), House panel endorses bill allowing intelligence agency to listen in on conversations: The bill passed with the support of the opposition Nepali Congress, despite legal experts sounding the alarm over its potential for misuse and privacy violations, by Binod Ghimire (kp 20/03/2020)

‘More than half the population denied access to hand hygiene’: UNICEF says 54 per cent health care units in Nepal lack access to handwashing facilites (kp 19/03/2020)

Draft amendment to transitional justice Act ready, Nembang says: Law ministry, conflict victims say they don’t have any information on it, by Binod Ghimire (kp 18/03/2020)

‘2,506 persons disappeared during insurgency’ (ht 18/03/2020), CIEDP makes public names of 2,506 disappeared (rep 18/03/2020)

Cycle of discrimination: Caste system in Nepal, among other impositions, is one example of how a rudimentary form of thinking that entails divide and conquer subsequently took form of a discriminatory tradition, by Sarans Pandey (rep 18/03/2020)

Dowry still rampant in Nepali society (ht 18/03/2020)

Political wranglings continue unabated in Bajhang’s public schools: Many school administrations across the district focus on taking financial benefits out of the school's budgets, according to the Education Unit, by Basanta Pratap Singh (kp 17/03/2020), Keep politics out of schools: Politicisation has compromised the quality of education (kp 18/03/2020)

Transitional justice is backsliding: To ensure better predictability, a national roadmap with parliamentary ownership could be a way out, by Tika P. Dhakal (kp 15/03/2020)

Complaints of the disappeared have themselves disappeared!, by Dinesh Subedi (rep 15/03/2020), Who did this? Missing complaints of conflict victims (rep 16/03/2020), CIEDP team in Rolpa to investigate into war-time cases (rep 16/03/2020)

Nepal’s political parties rarely encourage public participation in lawmaking: Citizens’ engagement in the formulation of laws not only ensures transparency but also enhances the quality of legislation, experts say, by Binod Ghimire (kp 15/03/2020)

Govt fails to deliver right info at right time (ht 14/03/2020)

Student leader found guilty of rape gets eight and half years in prison: Rai, a former assistant secretary at the Ratna Rajya Laxmi Campus chapter of the All Nepal National Free Students Union, was accused of raping an the girl by luring her to his relatives’ place in Makalbari, by Shuvam Dhungana (kp 14/03/2020)

Surkhet administration starts eviction of flood victims from public land: Five and a half years since the tragedy struck, victims are still looking for help from the government, by Chandan Kathayat (kp 14/03/2020)

Washington takes a dim view of human rights situation in Nepal: A US State Department report has pointed out cases of extrajudicial killings, arbitrary detention by the state agencies and government’s restriction in the right to freedom, by Binod Ghimire (kp 13/03/2020),
Extrajudicial killings continue in Nepal, reveals report (ht 14/03/2020), Govt curtailing freedom of expression: Report; The government did not make efforts to preserve safety and independence of the media (ht 15/03/2020)

Nepal’s Rule of Law Index remains static (ht 13/03/2020) [see WJP comment on Nepal]

Pragmatics Of Ending Orphanages, by Umesh Raj Regmi (rn 13/03/2020)

Marriage halted during day, conducted at night (ht 13/03/2020)

Financially free abroad, socially constrained at home: Women migrants acquire expertise and financial independence abroad but on return, they find themselves trapped in a social order that does not value their talent, by Elisha Shrestha (kp 12/03/2020)

The media’s portrayal of Dalits is incomplete: Narratives of Dalits as just being victims of caste hierarchy ignores many stories of resistance, by Sarita Pariyar (kp 12/03/2020)

Pradip Pariyar selected for the World Economic Forum’s Young Global Leaders Class of 2020: Pariyar, a social activist and executive director of Samata Foundation, joins global leaders like the prime minister of Finland, Pakistani and Bhutanese ministers, and an Olympic gold medallist (kp 12/03/2020)

Rastriya Prajatantra Party and Its Ideology, by Siddhi B. Ranjitkar (km 12/03/2020)

Twenty-nine-year-old woman held for throwing acid on husband’s face (ht 11/03/2020), Victim of acid attack blamed on wife runs out of money (rep 22/03/2020)

Keep fighting: Anti-Chhaupadi drive (rep 11/03/2020)

The victims and human rights defenders reject transitional justice commission’s request for support: Two months after formation the commissions are yet to commence their job, by Binod Ghimire (kp 10/03/2020)

The cost of extreme political traumatisation: The state and the political parties are in denial about the sexual violence that occurred during the conflict, by Susan Risal (kp 10/03/2020)

The case for achieving gender parity: Formal structures like laws and policies play a decisive role in eliminating gender inequality, by Geeta Bhattrai Bastakoti (kp 10/03/2020)

Anti-graft body detains doctor for 25 days over report, suspends him: The doctor posted in Butwal was released after a probe panel endorsed his findings, by Arjun Poudel (kp 10/03/2020)

Women have numerical strength in local units, but little say: Gender pay gap runs deep in all kinds of profession in Makwanpur, women leaders say, by Pratap Bista (kp 09/03/2020)

Women’s status: Figures speak for themselves, by Chanda Chaudhary (ht 09/03/2020)

Holi is prime time for the consent conversation: The festival of colours has become a day of dread for women—and they want the bad behaviour to stop, by Ankit Khadgi (kp 09/03/2020)

Chief accused of journalist Birendra Sah’s murder arrested: Sah, a print and broadcast journalist, was killed in October 2007, by Laxmi Sah (kp 09/03/2020)

The fight goes on: Men and women both benefit from living in a gender-equal society (kp 09/03/2020)

There are more women in politics, but few and far between at decision-making level: Despite inclusion refrain, there is a huge underrepresentation of females in Nepali political parties and state organs, by Elisha Shrestha (kp 08/03/2020)

Nepali women are unequal by law: Nepal is still lagging far behind international human rights standards concerning equal rights to citizenship, by Jesselina Rana (kp 08/03/2020)

Empowerment vs Commodification: While Nepal is heading toward institutionalizing the federal democratic republic, re-conceptualizing women empowerment appears a vital task, by Mohan Nepali (rep 08/03/2020)

Justice and gender equality in the age of #MeToo: It is only a matter of time before the men hiding behind their title and power are unveiled and brought to justice, by Sakun Gajurel (kp 08/03/2020)

With wider visibility and legal sanctions, parents of queer individuals are coming around: Accepting that their child is LGBTIQ can be difficult for parents who grew up in a more conservative time, but things are slowly changing, by Monica Khanal (kp 08/03/2020)

No More Misogyny, by Prativa Subedi (rn 08/03/2020)

Celebrating the heroes: This Women’s Day, let’s celebrate our everyday local women, our mothers, sisters, maids, colleagues or common everyday women who can be our heroes and inspire us, by Ushma Rebel (rep 08/03/2020))

Caste-based domestic violence against women rife in Rolpa, by Dinesh Subedi (rep 08/03/2020)

Despite campaigns and government policies, child marriage is still prevalent in Makwanpur: The Bagmati Provincial Government has plans to eradicate child marriage by early 2022, but numbers are not all too encouraging, by Pratap Bista  (kp 07/03/2020)

Without a clear statement from the federal government regarding Covid-19, misinformation spreads at local level: In times of crises, Singha Durbar, in coordination with provincial and local governments, should issue an unambiguous statement, say federal and health experts, by Tika R. Pradhan (kp 06/03/2020)

In criminal cases, police often fail to ensure privacy or security for complainants, resulting in threats and bribes: Threats and bribes can lead the complainant to ultimately change their statements in courts, weakening the case and resulting in a lack of conviction, by Shuvam Dhungana (kp 06/03/2020)

Piety and poison: the insidious spread of Hindutva: Those flirting with the idea of a Hindu state need to look at how quickly India has changed, by Amish Raj Mulmi (kp 06/03/2020)

Gender Landscape In Nepali Media, by Kundan Aryal (rn 06/03/2020)

Caste-based discrimination continues across Nepal: Report: “Dalits are unable to sell dairy products due to superstitious beliefs in society”  (ht 05/03/2020)

Provincial Assembly member Rawal arrested on attempt to rape charge, by Pushpa Raj Joshi (rep 05/03/2020)

Right to Housing: Right to housing is not the same as the right to land. The state must make every possible effort to implement the right to shelter and take progressive steps in that direction, by Jivesh Jha and Nil Prasad Paneru (rep 04/03/2020)

Why Special Service Bill should be amended: If Special Service Bill is authenticated in current format, it could lead to self-censorship among the journalists and their sources. Besides, journalists, You Tubers and bloggers may be arrested, by Taranath Dahal and Dikchya Raut (rep 03/03/2020)

Conflict victims in Dang express their mistrust on Truth and Reconciliation Commission for justice: Conflict-era victims who attended an interaction programme held in Tulsipur last Wednesday say justice delayed is justice denied, by Durga Lal KC (kp 02/03/2020)

Lawmakers call for stringent action against VAW, acid attack and dowry system (rep 02/03/2020)1

Despite ban, Nepali women heading for Gulf and exploitation, by Rudra Khadka (kp 02/03/2020)

Traffic cops start monitoring public vehicles (ht 02/03/2020)

UN concerned over Nepal’s TJ process (rep 01/03/2020)

Supreme Court orders contempt of court case against four police officials, including the Nepal Police chief: The order comes following the arrest of three Chand party members from the Supreme Court premises immediately after their release on February 17, by Shuvam Dhungana (kp 01/03/2020)

Access to medical marijuana: The right to obtain medical cannabis pursuant to the law has been denied to the Nepali people, by Ankit Dhakal (kp 01/03/2020)

Former Maoist guerilla compelled to live with shrapnel in his head, by Dinesh Subedi (rep) [A typical example of a victim of the Maoist insurgency, betrayed by his party leaders who are now living in huff and puff!]

Video of police officer baton charging a woman carrying a child outrages the public: The video once again calls attention to the police’s use of excessive force against peaceful protestors who pose no threat, by Shuvam Dhungana (kp 29/02/2020), [No one has the right to beat other people, especially not with wooden sticks. Even policemen who do this are to be treated as criminals!], Police inspector mercilessly beats up woman, by Sabitri Dhakal (ht 29/02/2020), Condemnable act: The Nepal Police must strive to develop professional skills to win the confidence of the general people (ht 02/03/2020)

Accept the criticisms: Government needs to understand that appreciation of different perspectives and criticisms can only help the government become more accountable, by Tulasi Acharya (rep 29/02/2020)

Hundreds of young, healthy Nepalis die sudden deaths in foreign lands. No one knows what’s killing them: Otherwise healthy men in the prime of life suffering cardiac arrests do not constitute ‘natural deaths’, say rights activists, by Chandan Kumar Mandal (kp 29/02/2020)

Two Bajura teachers absconding on facing rape allegations, by Tekendra Deuba (ht 28/02/2020)

Gyawali claims progress on transitional justice in Geneva but back home, victims are boycotting the process: Rights activists and victims call Foreign Minister Pradeep Gyawali’s claim that the transitional justice commissions are working independently a ‘blatant lie’, by Binod Ghimire (kp 27/02/2020)

Civil code deems a man and woman married if a child is born, but opinions are divided: While some rights activists believe that the provision will help ensure citizenship for the child, others see it as a patriarchal imposition, by Elisha Shrestha (kp 27/02/2020)

Advisor to state minister arrested for abduction and rape of a teenager: Amrit Kumar Ghale, economic advisor to State Minister for Urban Development Ram Bir Manandhar abducted a teenager, held her captive for several days and raped multiple times, by Shuvam Dhungana (kp 27/02/2020)

Rush hour traffic snarls slow down ambulances, put patients’ lives at risk: Although traffic police try their best to clear the way, some drivers don’t help the cause, by Shuvam Dhungana (kp 27/02/2020)

Civil liberty group calls for more changes in proposed Media Council Bill: In a statement, Freedom Forum has welcomed recent changes but pointed out a number of provisions that could jeopardise freedom of expression in the country (kp 24/02/2020)

Laws aren't enough to end discrimination: Prejudices surrounding race, religion and caste have to be shattered (kp 24/02/2020)

House panel’s letter to police reflects lawmakers’ low understanding of law and court rulings: Public Accounts Committee breached its jurisdiction by instructing police to book two people for cybercrime, legal experts say, by Binod Ghimire (kp 23/02/2020)

All-male panels are on their way out, but women’s representation remains tokenistic: Instead of acknowledging that women have valuable contributions to make, they are often limited to women-specific panels or are placed as moderators, by Elisha Shrestha (kp

Transitional justice could be an issue for Nepal at the upcoming Human Rights Council meet: It is likely that questions will not be too critical, but at the Universal Periodic Review in November, the government is certain to face serious queries, say activists, by Anil Giri (kp 22/02/2020)

Regulate sale of acid, rights activists and attack survivors urge government: According to a report, 16 people, 13 of them women, have been attacked with acid since 2015/2016. Yet acid is readily available for just Rs 25, by Elisha Shrestha (kp 21/02/2020)

Youth arrested for raping junior college student (ht 21/02/2020) [A 21-year-old man should no longer be called youth!]

Thirteen cases of police torture reported in 2019 (ht 21/02/2020)

Women protest demanding arrest of murder accused (ht 21/02/2020)

Majority of human rights violations in past year involved women, report says: Nearly 80 percent of human rights violations last year were against women, with domestic violence accounting for over a half, according to a yearly human rights review, byBinod Ghimire (kp 20/02/2020) [see INSEC Yearbook 2020]

What’s in a name? Sometimes, everything: An effort to restitute indigenous names would surely reveal countless examples of cultural approximation all over Nepal, by Deepak Thapa (kp 20/02/2020) [The effort of the male Tagadhari minorityelite to recognise historical and ethnic names and territories was one of the outstanding reasons for the failure of the first Constituent Assembly. The same thinking is reflected by the naming of the current provinces!]

After the executive, legislature restricts media’s access: At least two parliamentary committees have refused to allow journalists to cover their meetings, while both the Prime Minister’s Office and Home Ministry have also imposed restrictions, by Tika R. Pradhan (kp 19/02/2020) [This is a serious violation of Article 27 of the Constitution, which guarantees all citizens the right to information. It is the duty and right of the media to provide this information without restriction (article 19).]

Chinese Embassy takes exception to article carried by Post on coronavirus: The Post on its February 18 edition had carried an op-ed, previously published by The Korean Herald, about China’s handling of the outbreak (kp 19/02/2020), Journalists and diplomats seriously concerned over Chinese embassy statement: The Chinese embassy’s statement objecting to an article published by the Post is against press freedom and breaches diplomatic protocol, they say, by Anil Giri and Tika R. Pradhan  (kp 20/02/2020), Why China’s statement targeting The Post is a cause for concern: The Chinese embassy’s statement, ultimately, is not just about the Post, or its Editor-in-Chief. It is a rebuke to not bite the hand that feeds (kp 20/02/2020), Editors condemn Chinese ambassador’s statement (ht 20/02/2020)

Shadow of impunity: Election of Agni Sapkota to the post of House Speaker looked like a state-sponsored drama orchestrated by undermining criminal accountability, by Charan Prasai (rep 19/02/2020)

Conflict victims warn non-cooperation to the transitional justice commission until Act is amended: Chief of disappearance enquiry commission assures ‘fair and impartial investigations’, by Binod Ghimire (kp 19/02/2020)

CIEDP making final-round probe into disappearance cases (rep 19/02/2020)

Mahara’s acquittal and Tumbahangphe’s elevation to minister will have lasting effects, analysts say: While Krishna Bahadur Mahara was acquitted of attempted rape charges, Shiva Maya Tumbahangphe was appointed minister for law, both on the same day, by Tika R. Pradhan (kp 18/02/2020) [Without clarification and disclosure of the full circumstances of the Mahara case, the decision remains unsatisfactory!]

Teacher accused of molestation, primary schoolgirls request school authorities for investigation, by Ujjwal Satyal (ht 17/02/2020), Justice likely to elude children allegedly molested by their school teacher, by Ujjwal Satyal (ht 18/02/2020), Guardians offer to get teacher booked, by Ujjwal Satyal (ht 19/02/2020), School teacher accused of molesting students arrested: Police act after principal finally files FIR, by Ujjwal Satyal (ht 20/02/2020)

NHRC reports dismal state of Nepali women (ht 16/02/2020) [see report by NHRC]

Fear the threat: If the state fails to control corruption, ensure accountability and provide basic needs such as food, shelter, clothes, education, health and employment, threat of insurgency will always loom, by Suresh Sharma (rep 16/02/2020)

Karnali reeling under food shortage: Six districts out of 10 in the province are not able to meet the demand for food (ht 16/02/2020)

Jails in Karnali Province overcrowded, by Ganesh Bishu (rep 16/02/2020)

Rural municipality chair accused of coercing a Dalit woman into abortion: Jaya Bahadur Chemjong is among seven people accused of forcing a Dalit woman to abort her fetus at 21 weeks as she was in an intercaste marriage, district police say, by Ananda Gautam (kp 15/02/2020)

‘Negligent’ officials in Nirmala Pant case could be exonerated: Review committee endorses police move to arrest Dilip Singh Bista, by Shuvam Dgungana (kp 14/02/2020)

VAW complaints up (ht 14/02/2020)

Despite robust legal provisions, pregnant women still find it difficult to get maternity leave: The law mandates a total of 98 days of maternity leave, with 60 days fully paid, but most private employers fail to comply and women are hesitant to ask, by Elisha Shrestha (kp 13/02/2020), Maternity leave: Women are discriminated against in the workplace (kp 14/02/2020)

Maoist insurgency aftermath: Waiting for son,waiting for daughter, by Devendra Basnet and Nagendra Upadhyaya (rep 13/02/2020)

‘Herstory’ repeats itself: The misogynic politics of all political parties mustered to make women the political underdogs of Nepal, by Chandra Bhadra (kp 13/02/2020)

All 10 prisons in Gandaki Province in dismal state, lawmakers find: A committee comprising members of the provincial assembly suggests immediate reforms, by Pratikshya Kafle (kp 13/02/2020)

'Elderly people biggest hurdle to campaign against chhaupadi', by Jagat Khadka (rep 12/02/2020)

Nirmala murder mystery: Police get nod to probe Dilip Bista again (ht 11/02/2020), I’ll become a different person if justice prevails: Durga Devi, by Anjali Subedi (rep 11/02/2020)

Visiting Canada senate speaker not scheduled to meet Agni Sapkota (rep 11/02/2020) [This reflects the image of Nepal's rule of law abroad!]

National Human Rights Commission directs government to take immediate measures to evacuate Nepalis from China’s Hubei province: The rights body, in a statement, has also decided to call government officials to take stock of the situation of Nepali’s in the disease-hit area and the government’s effort to bring its citizen back, by Shuvam Dhungana (kp 10/02/2020)

Transitional justice commissions have not taken any steps to bring victims and rights activists on board: Disappearance commission is preparing its work plan without consulting with conflict victims, by Binod Ghimire (kp 08/02/2020)

Home Minister misled Parliament over extrajudicial killing of Kumar Paudel: Home Ministry has instructed Nepal Police to take action against officers involved in the killing, even though Minister Thapa had said that Paudel died in an encounter, by Binod Ghimire (kp 07/02/2020)

Supreme Court quashes contempt of court case against Kantipur: The case was filed two years ago over a series of stories published in Kantipur daily on then chief justice Gopal Prasad Parajuli (kp 07/02/2020)

Dalit children drop out of school due to poverty, by Janak KC (rep 06/02/2020)

The quest for a conformist press: Media entrepreneurs are happy to sing along the tune of triumphant political and economic masters, by CK Lal (kp 05/02/2020))

Oli says govt wants to create civilised society: Says media should not cross limit, by Rupak D, Sharma (ht 05/02/2020) [Please start by replacing the politicians who constantly cross limit!]

Ganga Maya knocks on UN’s door for justice (ht 05/02/2020), Ganga Maya seeks justice with UN Resident Coordinator (rep 05/02/2020)

Law ministry starts drafting transitional justice law amendment without victims onboard: Activist says bill being prepared in the darkrooms cannot be expected to deliver, by Binod Ghimire (kp 04/02/2020) [Nepalese understanding of justice: The perpetrators are involved in leading roles, but the representatives of the victims are excluded!], Sushil Pyakurel: The longer the transitional justice process, the more complex it will become: The human rights activist on his resignation as president’s advisor and the transitional justice process (interview) (kp 04/02/2020)

Early marriages common in Rolpa, by Dinesh Subedi (rep 04/02/2020)

Unable to trust adults, rescued children end up back on the streets: While on the streets, children are often physically and sexually abused and end up addicted to drugs, which can cause them to relapse once rescued, by Elisha Shrestha (kp 04/02/2020), Mean streets: Make sure that the children enjoy their rights in practice (kp 05/02/2020)

Minor raped in Bara (ht 04/02/2020)

Cops involved in killing CPN leader to face action: Police had fired nine shots to kill Kumar Poudel on the banks of the Lakhandehi River in Lalbandi, Sarlahi, by Ujjwal Satyal (ht 04/02/2020)

Victims of police torture deprived of justice (ht 04/02/2020)

Citizens still deprived of fundamental rights in lack of regulations, by Ashok Dahal (rep 03/02/2020)

Student’s arrest from university library prompts questions over intent: The student, who was released after 24 hours in custody, had in his possession a book by an Indian politician which police said was only read by “terrorists”, by Shuvam Dhungana (kp 03/02/2020) [????]

Nepal: Stalled Justice, by S. Binodkumar Singh (SAIR 03/02/2020)

National Human Rights Commission appointees should be independent and competent: The commission is in danger of ending its term in disrepute, largely over its role in relation to transitional justice, by Mohna Ansari (kp 02/02/2020)

Children at high risk of sexual exploitation in Nepal: Report (ht 02/02/2020) [see ECPAT International report]

Dharan SSP booked for rape, suspended (ht 01/02/2020)

54-yr-old man arrested on the charge of raping 4-yr-old girl, by Madan Thakur (rep 01/02/2020)

Government drafts action plan to eliminate child labour: Many children have been found to be employed in informal sectorsr (ht 01/02/2020)

Freedom of expression is under attack and transitional justice stalled in Nepal, rights group says: Amnesty International in its global report has painted a bleak picture of Nepal’s human rights situation and pointed at government’s regressive ways to restrict freedom, by Binod Ghimire (kp 31/01/2020) [see AI report on Nepal], Shrinking democratic space raises AI’s concern: Nepal government resorted to methods to curtail the freedom of expression in 2019 (ht), Amnesty concerned over shrinking freedoms in Nepal (rep 31/01/2020)