Kathmandu. Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli on Monday said his government was always committed to protecting human rights. “There will not be any trace of human rights in an autocratic rule. But now there is a democracy, and complete human rights will be ensured,” he said speaking at a programme organised here on the occasion of the 19th Anniversary of the National Human Rights Commission.
Saying he had fought more than a half century for democracy and human rights, the PM said, “I have full faith and commitment towards human rights. All my efforts will be for human rights.” Pointing out that some elements were active against the country’s development, he said, “I want to ask those criminals who exploded bombs in the past: what are your demands?” Stating that the group led by Netra Bikram Chand has been detrimental to human rights as it has been carrying out bombings and criminal activities, he conceded that it was the responsibility of the government to control such groups. In another context, PM Oli said the government would ensure a cent percent press freedom.
“The constitution has guaranteed press freedom in Article 19. The government will not go against it. It honours full press freedom,” he said. He however said there was a need to remove ill practices in journalism. On the occasion, Commission Chair Anup Raj Sharma said of the complaints registered 716 complaints were decided by the Commission and recommendations made to the government accordingly.
Marking the founding day of the Commission, the Dayaram Pariyar Human Rights Memorial Award was presented to journalist Narayan Prasad Sharma and Human Rights Award-2075 to journalist Mohan Mainali. Meanwhile, issuing a statement here today, the NHRC has urged the government to make arrangement of just relief support to the families of those who lost their lives in bomb explosions that took place in various parts of the country and free treatment for those injured in the incidents. “The NHRC also believes that a situation of conflict or struggle could be resolved through talks and dialogue, rather than through violence, arson and vandalism,” reads the statement issued by the Commission Secretary Bed Bhattarai.
