About Us
NepalHumanRightsNews.Com is an entirely non-profit online initiative, dedicated to cover the news and issues on the situation of human rights in Nepal. This website was formally launched on the 57th International Human Rights Day on 10 December 2005.
Background
Human rights movement in Nepal is almost as old as international human rights movement. When the United Nations announced Universal Declaration on Human Rights in 1948, Nepal was fighting century-old autocratic Rana Oligarchy and clamoring for democratic rights. However, formally, Nepal might be younger in terms of the modern concept of human rights.
Nepalese sensitiveness on the issues of human rights and political freedom emerged more prominently during the autocratic Panchayat regime of the pre-1990 scenario.
Ever since Late King Mahendra banned political parties and imposed the party-less Panchayat system in 1960, rights abuses mounted and, at the same time, public consciousness also grew up for the protection of human rights.
The 1990 restoration of Democracy had added new hope, but it was all shadowed in less than six years due to the armed rebellion pursued by the Maoists. The present reality, perhaps, needs no mention.
Nine-year long violence and the present tendencies of the State to turn back to old autocratic order, have all given, if anything, a poor human rights credentials for Nepal. If human rights situation does not improve in this land, this country of some 25 million people may turn into a failed state any time.
Objectives
NeapalHumanRightsNews.Com, guided by the sheer motive to protect and promote the noble concepts of human rights, as envisioned in the Universal Declaration on Human Rights and other relevant international treaties and conventions, adopts the following objectives:
1) To collect and disseminate up-to-date information relating to human rights: There are several websites dealing in this area. But a really efficient forum dishing out factual information in an objective manner is something that is still missing. So we are here. We post the information promptly and update them regularly.
2) To provide a forum for discussion on human rights issue: Yes, we have understood the problem of many. There are many, many people in our country who have undergone different ordeals and experiences. They want to express but have not found a suitable forum. Expressing your views at a right forum, where all can participate without any hesitation, is quite important. So here we are—to listen to them, to give voice to the voiceless!
3) To promote the culture of human rights: Unless human rights is accepted and adopted as part and parcel of one’s life, a culture to protect and promote it is simply impossible.
4) To analyze human rights issues from rights-based approach: The issue of human rights cannot be looked upon from any prejudicial angle, for example, basing one’s reports and analysis on political, ethnic or geographical biases. Many cases of human rights abuses have gone unheard and unreported in Nepal due to the above-mentioned biases. Our approach is genuine, fair and democratic and it is in full coherence to the fact that Human Rights are the concerns of entire universe, irrespective of nationalities, caste, creed or color.
5) To build link between like-minded organization and people: This is part of our networking strategy in the broader interest of ensuring and promoting people’s basis human rights and freedom. This would contribute to consolidating human rights situation in a more organized manner.
6) To increase human rights understanding in media sector: Our policy is to support better media coverage on issues pertaining to human rights. This is necessary to promote rights awareness among people as well as those in power.
7) To introduce objective professional approach in human rights issues: We believe that only professional approach, uncontaminated by prejudicial or selfish motives, to human rights would contribute to formation of civilized society where rulers are responsible and citizens feel secure in their country. Only such a situation can provide base for overall social progress.
So, we are here with all these cherished objectives. We believe that we would meet many friends and compatriots to walk together on our journey to turn our own world a better, and much better, place in terms of human rights.