Rights body wronged

When the state fails to prosecute human rights violators, impunity becomes the unofficial law of the land.

Nepal has long taken pride in its human rights-friendly constitution and a history of civic movements for liberty. The ground-level track record on action against human rights violators, however, is becoming increasingly indefensible. The current civilian administration, led by former Chief Justice Sushila Karki, promised change, especially with the cabinet including prominent rights advocates in the home and law ministries. Yet, with over a month left in its tenure, the government has proven to be a continuation of its predecessors’ culture of apathy and impunity. The Post ’s recent revelation of the executive’s persistent snubbing of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) exposes a bureaucratic lapse which has enabled direct assault on human rights.