Building Capacity of National Human Rights Institutions: The Case of Nepal

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) held the launching ceremony of a book titled Building Capacity of National Human Rights Institutions: The Case of Nepal today at the Commission.The book has been published by the Right to Education Foundation (RTEF).

The Chairperson of the Commission, Rt. Hon. Nayan Bahadur Khatri formally launched the book. In his address, Chairman Khatri appreciated the efforts of Dr. Adhikari. He further added that the book not only showed the intensive working spirit at the Commission, but also a welcome contribution helpful to many readers in Nepal and abroad, who are interested to know how the Commission is developing its capacity in the resolution of the ongoing conflict. 

Written by Dr. Bipin Adhikari, the book deals with the experience of the Commission in the process of its institutionalization and the importance of capacity development in the process. It highlights the importance of the establishment of National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) which are growing in number throughout the world, and the National Human Rights Commission is just one of them.  

The book not only deals with the analysis of the Commission’s achievements but also looks into the shortcomings of the past, as well as challenges that lie ahead in the future. It covers the genesis of the National Human Rights Commission, its mandate, capacity building efforts at the Commission, and its role as an ‘agent of peace’ amidst the ongoing conflict and its relationship with all major human rights stakeholders. It also provides an in-depth overview of the Commission’s activities in the protection and promotion of human rights. The author has included a number of important documents that the Commission has produced in recent times in the annexure of the book. Dr. Bipin Adhikari is a lawyer with the expertise in the areas of constitutional law, human rights, legal reform initiatives and the democratization process. As the UNDP appointed human rights capacity development advisor he worked at the Commission for two years. This book is based on his experience at the Commission.  

During the function, Mr. Ivan M. Nielsen, an international human rights expert commented on the book. Mr. Nielsen said that the unique nature of the research on the Commission would pave way for further studies and research on National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs). He added further that the study of the Commission was an important endeavour, especially providing a unique glimpse of a national human rights institution having to cope with increasing human rights violations in the country. 

The book would be useful not only to those who are interested in the process of institutionalization of national human rights institutions but also to those who are interested in the protection and promotion of human rights. The book is available for sale at Bhrikuti Books Paradise and all major bookstores in and around Kathmandu.