Archive ref no: NCA-20255
Date: 2006-08-01
Discussion on Paris Principles with Parliamentarians, August 1, 2006
National Human Rights Commission has held a discussion program on Paris Principles with the members of Foreign Affairs and Human Rights Committee of House of Representative (HOR), Chief Whip and Whip of different political parties and with the representatives of different political parties. The Paris Principles are the principles which determine the status of National Human Rights Institution.
The Commission has organized the program in context of the approval of resignation of the Commissioners and the exercise taking place for the appointment procedure of new Commissioners at the Commission.
Delivering his Speech at the program, Speaker of the HOR Suwas Nemwang said that the role of the Commission is important while the country is heading towards the goal of Constituent Assembly. He further added that the process for the appointment of new Commissioners as well as the concern of making the Commission autonomous, independent & effective is proceeding.
Speaking at the program, the representative from the UNOHCHR in Nepal David A. Johnson said while appointing the members of National Human Rights Institution, like the NHRC on the basis of Paris Principles, there should be transparency and inclusiveness, for which there must be interactions in different levels.
In the program, presenting discussion paper entitled 'National Human Rights Commission in the Backdrop of Paris Principles', the officiating secretary of NHRC Dhurba Nepal said that the recommendation process of new appointment should fulfill the norms of inclusiveness, transparency and objectivity, and there should be conducted public debate among and between different levels.
In the program the parliamentarians of the Committee Jaya Prakash Prasad Gupta, Nawaraj Subedi, Mahendra Bahadur Pandey, Suresh Karki, Krishna Pratap Malla, Ram Bahadur Bista, Krishna Charan Shrestha, Romi Gauchan Thakali, Govinda Bahadur Shah, Fatik Bahadur Thapa, Chandra Bahadur Shahi and former secretary of Judicial Council Kashi Raj Dahal spoke on how to make the Commission independent, effective and autonomous. Speaking further they expressed that there should be realized Paris Principles on appointment of the Commissioners, for which the issues of plurality, inclusiveness, transparency and credibility should be kept in consideration.
The Chairperson of Foreign Affairs and Human Rights Committee of HOR, Mahendra Yadav said that the role of the Commission is important at present. He added that the Committee is sincere and ready to raise voice in HOR to make the NHRC strong and effective. Moreover, it is necessary to hold regular discussions between NHRC and the Committee which would fertilize the protection and promotion of human rights, he said. The program was chaired by Mr. Yadav.
Bimal Babu Khatri
Communication Officer