HURFON (current)

Human Rights Forum Nepal (HURFON) is a website presenting links to articles on Nepal's human rights issues as well as important background information. The link collection has been started in September 2016.

HURFON is a subsite of Nepal Research. Its name goes back to an organisation that had been founded in Germany in 1990 but that had to be dissolved some years later. Issues of the periodical of this earlier organisation that had been published under the name Nepal Forum have been archived on this website.

Shot Like Enemies: Inside Nepal's Gen Z uprising (BBC World Service Documentaries 26/02/2026) [A shocking document that makes it clear that the failed generation of politicians should not be re-elected under any circumstances, especially not those politically responsible for the massacre!]

Nepal’s parliament debates capital punishment following rape and murder of a three-year-old : As public outrage mounts over the Jeetpur-Simara case, law and home ministers outline legal reforms while clarifying why the death penalty remains out of reach, by Durga Dulal and Jaya Singh Mahara (kp 25/08/2026) [Severe punishment is necessary, but Nepal should not revert to the archaic practice of the death penalty. Rather, a reassessment of legal and social attitudes towards women is required.]

A child’s privacy is protected by law. Nearly everyone violated it : Government ministers, media organisations and social media users disclosed the identity of a three-year-old girl and her family despite laws barring the publication of details that could identify them, by Daya Dudraj (kp 25/08/2026), Bara girl was missing for three days. The police response is now under scrutiny : Family, lawmakers and rights activists question whether police acted swiftly after the three-year-old was reported missing, by Gaurav Pokharel and Laxmi Shah (kp 25/08/2026)

‘Landless’ families return to razed settlement three months after eviction : Kohalpur Municipality says it is verifying landless claims and promises permanent resettlement for genuine families, by Rupa Gahatraj (kp 24/08/2026)

Combat the rising tide of violence against women and girls : The government must challenge the systems that allow social ills such as rape to persist (kp 24/08/2026), Why stricter laws aren’t enough to fix Nepal’s rape problem : Public outrage often focuses on harsher sentences or the death penalty, but structural reform, institutional accountability, and better survivor support are what's truly missing, by Monika Niroula (kp 24/08/2026), Intersectional feminist Anjali Sah on Nepal’s pervasive rape culture and police apathy (interview) (kp 24/08/2026)

Police probe leak of video showing teenage suspect in Bara rape and murder case : Footage of a minor giving a police statement has spread across social media, prompting scrutiny over a potential breach of privacy and investigation protocols, by Daya Dudraj (kp 24/08/2026)

Nepal stalls UN rapporteur visit amid delays in transitional justice appointments : Government cited lack of office-bearers in transitional justice commissions for cancelling Duhaime’s June visit but has made little progress in filling the vacancies, by Binod Ghimire and Durga Dulal (kp 23/08/2026) [The government’s arguments are a farce in every respect!]

Justice for Garima is not enough if another child remains at risk : Punishment is essential for justice, but it is only part of the responsibility; Garima's case must also force us to ask what needs to change so no other child has to endure such suffering, by Sunita Kumari Shah (nn 23/08/2026)

“Justice for Dignity, Protection for Every Daughter”, by Law Minister Sobita Gautam (kh 23/08/2026), Missing 2-year-old girl found dead in bushes in Saptari (kh 23/08/2026)

Call For Heavier Sentences On Rapists (rn 21/08/2026)

Five-point midnight deal halts protests over girl’s rape, murder (rep 21/08/2026), Slain Bara toddler’s parents reject deal, refuse to claim her body : Protests continue along the Birgunj-Pathlaiya road after local authorities signed a five-point agreement with political figures following the rape and murder, without the victim’s parents at the negotiating table, by Laxmi Sah (kp 22/08/2026) [It is common practice in Nepal for victims and their families not to be involved in such agreements. The best example of this is the fact that the peace process following the Maoist insurgency has still not been concluded!], Govt reaches three-point agreement with Garima’s family (kh 23/08/2026)

Cooperative victims appeal to UN chief Guterres, say Balen government ignored their plight (kh 18/08/2026)

Nepali Congress warns government against crackdown on journalists and private sector (kh 18/08/2026)

Evictions leave landless settlers homeless and traumatized : The demolition of thousands of structures has disrupted livelihoods, families and children's education, while displaced residents report widespread mental distress, by Gopal Dahal (nn 17/08/2026)

Landslides pile on the misery in Jajarkot settlements : The disasters highlight an escalating crisis across Jajarkot, where extreme weather is battering fragile communities still reeling from the earthquake, by Saroj Oli, Krishna Prasad Gautam and Jyotee Katuwal (kp 17/08/2026)

Court extends detention of journalist Kishor Shrestha by four days (kh 17/08/2026), SC orders release of Jana Aastha Editor Kishor Shrestha (kh 17/08/2026) [!!!!]

RSP government’s pledge to apologize to Dalits remains unfulfilled (rep 15/08/20026)) [Nothing but hot air! The male, high-caste politicians at the helm of the RSP are no different in this respect from the leaders of the old parties!]

What happens when press freedom meets right to privacy : Journalist Kishor Shrestha’s arrest raises questions over when an alleged breach of privacy becomes a criminal offence, by Daya Dudraj (kp 15/08/2026)

Bill seeks to criminalize child Kamaiya, Kamalari practices : More than a decade after Nepal formally abolished the Kamaiya and Kamalari systems, the government has moved to close a legal loophole that has allowed the exploitation of children to persist, by Ishwari Subedi (rep 14/08/2026)

Family demands impartial probe into death of man who died in holding center (kh 14/08/2026)

Police raid journalist Kishor Shrestha’s residence, seize electronic devices (kh 13/08/2026), Police raid Jana Aastha office (rep 13/08/2026), Police manhandle journalists protesting raid of  media house, arrest of journalist (rep 13/08/2026), Journalist Kishor Shrestha remanded in custody for 3 days (kh 13/08/2026), World Association of Press Councils calls for immediate release of Kishor Shrestha (kh 13/08/2026), SC directs authorities to produce journalist Kishor Shrestha on Aug 17 (kh 14/08/2026)

Online attacks targeting minister’s wife highlight deep-seated misogyny : From Susmita Adhikari to Hisila Yami and Arzu Rana Deuba, women have often found themselves caught in political crossfire, by Daya Dudraj (kp 12/08/2026)

Threats, attacks drive 101 press freedom violations in Nepal : Press Council Nepal says 119 journalists were affected by intimidation, physical attacks, arrests and other forms of interference over the past fiscal year, by Daya Dudraj (kp 12/08/2026)

Nepal Police seeks call interception powers, reviving privacy and civil liberties concerns, by Gaurav Pokharel (kp 12/08/2026)

It’s monsoon and Susta residents’ worries swell amid Indian pressure : Villagers are building makeshift embankments to protect their homes as erosion by Narayani River worsens and an Indian border force blocks construction of a permanent structure , by Nabin Paudel (kp 12/08/2026)

Dekendra Thapa would be 55 : Brother remembers journalist killed in Nepal’s long-forgotten war , by Yagya Raj Thapa (nt 07/08/2026) [As someone who was responsible for the murderous actions of his Maoist army and who continues to refuse to deliver justice for the victims of the conflict, PK Dahal’s behaviour is a mockery!]

Conflict victims need justice, not another test of their patience : With thousands of complaints pending, the government must ensure independent leadership and resources to complete transitional justice (kp 06/08/2026)

Home Minister Gurung refuses to set timeline for justice in Nirmala Pant case (kh 06/08/2026)), Home Minister Gurung apologises after remarks on Nirmala Pant case draw criticism (kh 06/08/2026)

39 human rights violation complaints registered in Madhesh (kh 03/08/2026)

Financial constraints fueling informal women’s labour migration to Kuwait : Nearly 69,000 Nepalis, mostly women, are working as domestics in the Gulf kingdom and many without access to Nepal’s legal protections, by Hom Karki (kp 03/08/2026)

Lift the migration ban on domestic work : The ban pushes women into precarious and undocumented journeys, making them invisible to the state that must protect them, by Ayushman Bhagat (kp 02/08/2026)

‘Mahila Shakti Jagran Abhiyan’ officially launched to end dowry system and women’s violence (nn 02/08/2026)

Govt, Hindu groups reach 13-point agreement in Janakpur (kh 02/08/2026) [The very demand it contains for a return to a Hindu state is incompatible with a multi-ethnic, multicultural and multi-religious state such as Nepal, and would lay the foundations for a further erosion of social harmony!], Did the home minister agree to discuss restoring a Hindu state? A rumoured agreement with Hindu groups in Dhanusha sparked controversy, but officials say the government only received their demands and no such deal was reached, by Gaurav Pokharel (kp 02/08/2026)

Bhanubhakta beyond Ramayan: The other side of Nepal’s most revered poet : As Nepal honours Adikavi Bhanubhakta Acharya, experts revisit ‘Badhu Siksha’, arguing that its prescription for women deserves critical reading for its patriarchal worldview, by Rivash Rijal (kp 01/08/2026)

Supreme Court orders fast-track clearance for Bhutanese refugee’s kidney transplant (nn 29/07/2026)

Illegal egg harvesting allegations put Nepal’s IVF sector under scruti , by Pawan Mudbhari (kh 27/07/2026), Legal ambiguity over egg extraction from minors poses challenges for investigation, actions : Police traced financial deal between Dr Nutan Sharma and the intermediary after the extraction, but investigation did not proceed against suspects , by Gaurav Pokharel (kp 29/07/2026)

Eight years on, Nirmala case still without answers : Despite multiple inquiries, over 1,000 interviews and extensive DNA testing, investigators have yet to identify the killer, leaving the victim’s family still waiting for justice, by Bhawani Bhatta (kp 27/07/2026)

Why Nepal’s communal violence keeps repeating: What the Sunsari clash reveals : The deadly Sunsari clash is the latest in a string of communal flashpoints across the Terai, raising questions about organised mobilisation, cross-border influence and a state that often responds only after violence erupts, by Binod Dhakal (nn 27/07/2026)

Indefinite curfew imposed in Sunsari after deadly clash (kh 27/07/2026), RSP lawmaker questions police firing in Sunsari clash, alleges excessive use of force (kh 27/07/2026), Home Minister under fire after Sunsari clash exposes security command vacuum (kh 27/07/2026), Sunsari incident: Police resort to firing as violent clash spirals out of control (kh 27/07/2026), Five-member panel formed to probe Sunsari incident (kh 27/07/2026), Sunsari clash: Army deployed as tensions escalate (kh 27/07/2026), Uncovering the causes behind the Kaptanganj shooting :From a minor dispute over temple flags to live ammunition on the streets, family members of the wounded question why police bypassed standard crowd-control protocols and resorted directly to gunfire, by Anil Shrestha (nn 27/07/2026)

Minister leads rescue of children in non-profit shelter : Viral video of Minister Sita Badi nursing a rescued infant draws attention to conditions at the Nepal Children’s Organisation shelter, by Samarpan Shree (kp 25/07/2026)

RSP condemns black soot attack on lawmaker Ganesh Paudel, demands action (kh 25/07/2026)

New prison rules expand inmates’ rights with conjugal visits, open prisons : Regulations published in the Nepal Gazette introduce provisions for eligible prisoners to live temporarily with their spouse, move to open prisons after serving two-thirds of their sentence, and access education, healthcare, banking and communication services, by Bhasha Sharma (nn 24/07/2026)

'Government, do you see caste or people?' Dalit activist marks 96 days of sit-in, by Pabitra Sunar (rep 24/07/2026)

Government buses keep displaced children in school—but at what cost? Children from Kathmandu’s holding centres endure hours in traffic to reach their schools, sparking debate over whether to prioritise school continuity or proximity, by Samarpan Shree (kp 24/07/2026)

Govt plans nationwide anti-dowry campaign, starting from Madhesh (rep 13/07/2026)

NEA to provide Rs 1.57 million compensation to child who lost both arms in electric shock (kh 23/07/2023) [???]

Sukuna School urges restraint as probe into alleged misconduct against female students continues (kh 22/07/2026)

25 years on, Shuklaphanta displaced still await resettlement : Hundreds of families uprooted by park’s expansion decades ago remain in limbo, living under plastic shelters as another monsoon arrives, by Bhawani Bhatta (kp 22/07/2026)

Nepal’s peace score takes historic hit after Gen Z unrest : The country’s 26-place fall in the Global Peace Index follows the deadly unrest last September, but experts say deeper weaknesses in governance, public trust, and democratic institutions are at the root of the decline, by Baala Shakya (kp 21/07/2026)

New rules outlaw forced haircuts at schools, but schools aren’t convinced : A student-led campaign changed the law, but has reignited debate over personal freedom, school discipline, and how far the state should regulate schools, Aarya Chand (kp 21/07/2026)

Paddy season is slipping away, but two Nepali farmer brothers are stuck in India jail : Arrested after buying fertiliser across the border, they are still awaiting bail as Nepal's chronic shortages push farmers to take risks, by Shiba Puri (kp 21/07/2026)

Government to relocate Valley squatters to home districts : Landless families evicted from Kathmandu’s riverbanks are being sent to their permanent home districts as Valley municipalities cite a lack of land for resettlement, by Samarpan Shree (kp 21/07/2026

Panel finds no basis to prosecute security chiefs over September killings, home minister refuses report, PM yet to receive it
Karki committee found that missing forensic evidence and the inability to identify who fired the fatal shots left no basis for criminal charges against senior security officials, by Gaurav Pokharel (kp 20/07/2026)

Under the guise of oversight, lawmakers face backlash over high-handed conduct : Chasing social media attention, lawmakers are crossing jurisdictional lines by confronting officials, seeking confidential files and issuing arbitrary ultimatums, by Jaya Singh Mahara (kp 20/07/2026)

Government plans to send landless settlers back to their native places, by Gopal Dahal (nn 19/07/2026) (By providing them with land, shelter and jobs there, or by sending them off to the next disaster?], Is Rs25,000 enough compensation for a state-induced humanitarian crisis? Can a one-time payment adequately compensate for the destruction of not only homes but also the social, economic and emotional foundations that sustain people’s lives?, by Ansuda Poudel (kp 19/07/2026)

Punishing women for speaking out : Cyber bullying, especially of female politicians, stifles critical voices and endangers democracy, by Vishad Raj Onta (nt 17/07/2026)

Detained before evidence: How Nepal’s weaponized money laundering investigations are deterring investors  :A string of high-profile money laundering cases has fueled concerns among legal experts that suspects are being arrested before investigators establish the predicate offenses needed to support the charges, raising questions about due process, legal overreach, and the potential for political misuse, by Bhasha Sharma (nn 17/07/2026)

The dangerous romance of strongman politics : The death of Ganesh Nepali and the plight of displaced landless families reveal how easily empathy is sacrificed for political loyalty. Democracy demands accountability, due process, and compassion—not unquestioning faith in those who wield power, by Suresh Badal (nn 17/07/2026)

When enforcement crosses into punishment : The death of a ride-sharing worker after a parking dispute has reignited debate over aggressive municipal policing, disproportionate fines, inadequate public parking, and the blurred lines of authority in Kathmandu's street management, by Khila Nath Dhakal (nn 16/07/2026)

Child protection challenges exposed by recent protests, abuse and displacement, by Pawan Mudbhari (kh 16/07/2026)

A new government, the same old silence on Dalit justice The government came to power promising change, but its first 100 days have been marked by forced evictions, suspicious deaths, and growing frustration among Dalits, raising questions about whether political transformation has translated into justice for Nepal's most marginalized community, by Hira Bishwakarma (nn 15/07/2026) [What can we expect from the ruling party in this regard? It is even more dominated by male members of the Khas Arya than the old parties ever were!],

Child marriage persists as a challenge in Baitadi, 11% of pregnant women under 20 , by Keshav Raj Bhatta (rn 15/07/2026)

Supreme Court overturns government decision to ban state advertisements in private media (nn 14/07/2026)

Landless squatters submit human rights appeal to National Human Rights Commission (kh 14/07/2026), Govt launches bus service for students staying in squatter holding centers (kh 14/07/2026) [Finally feeling guilty?], Displaced Kathmandu squatters to be relocated to home districts, not given land in Valley (kh 14/07/2026)

How far will Nepal’s ruling party go to silence its critics? Instead of solving problems, the RSP administration is cracking down on people who point them out (kh 14/07/2026), How fear shapes citizen voices : The more fearlessly citizens can ask questions, the deeper the roots of the republic will grow , by Chandrakishore (kp 14/07/2026)

Declared child-marriage-free, but girls keep paying the price : Secret marriages, school dropouts, early pregnancies and broken relationships reveal the gap between official declarations and reality in western Nepal, by Unnati Chaudhary (nn 13/07/2026)

Niharika Rajput stages sit-in outside Singha Durbar after alleging home minister refused meeting (kh 13/07/2026)

Impunity and nepotism remain major issues in the current government : Our current state respects the property of the higher classes but ignores the rights of daily wage workers, interview with Lily Thapa, NHRC Commissioner (kp 13/07/2026)

The High Cost of Judicial Delay : Nepal's constitutional promise of a speedy trial rings hollow as chronic judicial delays erode justice, undermine public trust, and turn a fundamental right into an elusive ideal, by Diwakar Dhakal (rep 13/07/226)

Flood-hit evacuees from Kirtipur holding centre worry about children’s education : Flood-displaced families say shifting to Bhaktapur could derail children’s education unless the government delivers on transport promises, by Samarpan Shree (kp 13/07/2026), From bulldozers to floods: Children’s dreams sink deeper, by Pawan Mudbhari (kh 13/07/2026), Silence of PM Shah, RSP Chair Lamichhane draws scrutiny as squatter crisis deepens : The humanitarian situation facing displaced squatters, coupled with rising public criticism, has intensified scrutiny of the government's response and the continued silence of Prime Minister Balen Shah and RSP Chair Rabi Lamichhane, by Gyanu Ghimire (kh 13/07/2026)

Oli, Lekhak and Gurung challenge NHRC report, demand basis for prosecution recommendations : The National Human Rights Commission prepares to respond to the requests for information but plans to withhold full investigation details, citing witness protection, by Durga Dull (kp 13/07/2026)

Ganesh Nepali’s death shines a light on Nepal’s unprotected gig workers : As Nepal’s platform economy expands, thousands of workers shoulder rising costs, shrinking earnings and few legal safeguards, by Sajana Baral (kp 12/07/2026), Ride-hailing driver’s self-immolation sparks debate over municipal police’s jurisdiction, aggression : Experts say the municipality police’s legal mandate does not authorise physical coercion, detention or independent crowd-control operations, by Gaurav Pokharel (kp 13/07/2026)

Gen Z activist Majid Ansari referred to Teaching Hospital after police assault (rep 12/07/2026), 26 detained during protest over Kirtipur arrests (rep 12/07/2026)

Bagmati floods Kirtipur holding centre, displaced squatters forced to flee again (kh 11/07/2026) [After all, this was precisely the reason why, according to Balendra Shah, the squatters had to be evicted from the slums on the Bagmati at all costs and their last remaining possessions destroyed. But they were, after all, to be provided with safe accommodation within two weeks. What a truly competent and reliable Prime Minister he is!], Landless settlers retrieve soaked belongings from Radha Soami Holding Center (Photos) (nn 11/07/2026), After losing their homes, displaced families lose what little they had left : Overnight flooding inundated the Radha Soami Satsang Beas holding centre in Kirtipur, washing away clothes, medicines, schoolbooks and other essentials that families had managed to save after the April evictions, by Samarpan Shree (kp 11/07/2026), Floods at Kirtipur holding centre expose flaws in government’s squatter relocation plan : Families relocated from riverbanks lose their homes and belongings again as the government's holding centre floods , by Samarpan Shree (kp 12/07/2026)

Women Values Defy Purity Myths, by Pramila Karki (rn 10/07/2026)

Reclaiming the dignity of child soldiers of the People’s War : Stolen from classrooms and playgrounds and thrust into conflict, the minors lost their formative years of education, economic mobility and psychological security, by Mukunda Raj Kattel (kp 10/07/2026)

NHRC says internal investigation reports not made public to protect sensitive information (kh 08/07/2026)

Maitighar, where Nepal’s unheard come seeking justice : For citizens failed by the legal system, this Kathmandu roundabout has become a last-resort stage for hope and accountability, by Arati Paudel (kp 08/07/2026)

Financing for Children’s Rights: Actualization of Legal Mandates, by Gita Subedi (kh 08/07/2026)

The long shadow of caste: How Nepal’s Muslims were pushed to the margins, by Shakti Kumar Banskar (nn 07/07/2026)

Food aid ends at holding centres. Families face uncertainty : Authorities say assistance deadlines have expired, but many residents say delays in promised payments have left them with nowhere to go and little to live on, by Samarpan Shree (kp 07/07/2026)

Three prime ministers, 10 premierships. Why is Sudurpaschim still Nepal’s poorest province? udurpaschim’s abundant resources and prominent national leaders have done little to improve livelihoods, as chronic political instability and poor execution continue to undermine development, by Arjun Shah (kp 07/07/2026)

Dalit Commission blames entrenched caste bias in Singha Durbar for surname listing delay (kh 06/07/2026)) [The RSP represents the male-dominated Khas Arya society even more strongly than the old parties ever did – and that had already been hard to imagine. A socially inclusive Nepal seems further away than ever!]

Flood-hit squatters in Kirtipur holding centre reject government’s relief condition, by Pawan Mudbhari (kh 06/07/2026)

Three squatters die in first 100 days of Balen-led government as resettlement efforts draw criticism (kh 05/07/2026)

Former editor sentenced for defamation as media groups decry ruling as blow to press freedom : Kathmandu District Court jails Saroj Mishra for four months over a 2023 report , by Daya Dudraj (kp 02/07/2026)

Journalist Khem Bhandari arrested in Kanchanpur for court verdict enforcement (kh 02/07/2026)

NHRC seeks clarification from RSP over membership of minors (kh 01/07/2026), RSP clarifies claims of enrolling minors as party members, blames system data error (nn 01/07/2026), RSP under NHRC scrutiny over underage party members : The constitutional watchdog seeks clarification after the party reported over 35,000 members under 18. The party says it was a technical error, by Jaya Singh Mahara (kp 02/07/2026)

Full text of the letter sent by KP Oli to NHRC regarding Gen Z protest report (nn 27/06/2026)

For displaced children, returning to school remains an uphill battle : Weeks after families from informal riverbank settlements were displaced, some children remain unenrolled, while others attend school under uncertain arrangements amid poor coordination, by Samarpan Shree (kp 27/06/2026)

Accelerating Public Education Financing in Nepal, by Gita Subedi (kh 26/06/2026)

NHRC directs government to ensure access to justice for torture survivors (rn 26/06/2026)

Major legal overhaul proposed: Equal polygamy liability for men and women : Government amending legal provisions regarding polygamy, child marriage, love affairs, and marital rape, by Bhasha Sharma (nn 25/06/2026)

Holding center residents warn return to previous settlements if relocation not resolved (kh 25/06/2026)

Remittance and the fracturing of the traditional socio-cultural safety net : We cannot build anything meaningful by merely securing a good balance sheet at the bank while leaving our parents to die in lonely terror, by Anju Gupta (kp 25/06/2026)

As displaced settlers wait, PM Shah distances himself from resettlement timeline (kh 23/06/2026), Displaced families fear uncertainty as authorities move to close holding centers, by Pawan Mudbhari (kh 23/06/2026), Displaced squatters face June 26 deadline to vacate holding centres : Families have been asked to vacate the centres with Rs25,000 relief, and Rs15,000 monthly rent support for three months, by Samarpan Shree and Jyoti Shrestha (kp 24/06/2026)

Beep edits in ‘Comedy Darbar’ trigger censorship row and free speech debate (kh 22/06/2026)

Two decades on, conflict-era victims still await justice : Survivors of conflict-era sexual violence ask: Where is justice?, by Dinesh Subedi (rep 19/06/2026)

Awaiting resettlement, displaced squatter families struggle with life in holding centres : Young children are bearing the brunt of life in holding centres, where parents worry about nutrition, sickness and unsafe conditions, by Samarpan Shree (kp 19/06/2026)

Why are we still telling abused women to ‘work it out’? Recent data shows hundreds of Nepali women are being killed by their partners, exposing a systemic failure (kp), Unseen and unheard: Conflict-Related Sexual Violence Survivors in Nepal still await justice : How long should the conflict-related sexual violence survivors wait to be seen, to be believed, to be heard and to receive justice?, by Nisha Thapa (kp 19/06/2026)

Madhesh leads in wasting, Karnali in stunting : Over 200,000 children under five years of age suffer from acute malnutrition, a nationwide survey conducted last month shows , by Arjun Poudel and Madhav Aryal (kp 19/06/2026)

Investigation shows no police brutality in Bishwakarma’s custodial death: Home Minister (nn 19/06/2026) [?????]

Kathmandu completes removal of squatter settlements from riverbanks, public land (kh 18/06/2026)

Nepal’s LGBTQI+ rights gains remain out of reach for many : Despite landmark court rulings and constitutional guarantees, members of the community state they still encounter discrimination when seeking documents, education, healthcare, and jobs, by Baala Shakya (kp 17/06/2026)

Banished after release, jailed Bhutanese can’t return even to their former refugee camp : Former Bhutanese political prisoners Chatur Man Tamang and Hasta Bahadur Rai are unable to enter Nepal after spending more than 18 years in Bhutan jail because they were not given release documents, by Parbat Portel (kp 17/06/2026)

Transitional Justice Moral Test Of State, by Mukunda Raj Kattel (rn 16/06/2026)

It’s time to give domestic workers the dignity they’ve earned : At the current pace of progress, it could take another 85 years before all domestic workers enjoy adequate labour protection. That is far too long, by Numan Özcan (kp 16/06/2026)

If We Dare to End the Practic : Eradicating the evil practice of dowry requires a mix of grassroots awareness and legal frameworks, alongside their effective implementation, by Madhu Rai (nn 15/06/2026)

Migrant workers need more than promises: Nepal's policies, budget, and diplomacy must protect them, by Gyanendra Ghale (ht 15/06/2026)

Crackdowns without alternatives leave Nepal’s poorest struggling to survive, by Sita Neupane (kh 15/06/2026), Landless settlers at Kirtipur holding center protest over food shortage (kh 15/06/2026)

Forest officials push roadside tempo off cliff in Kailali, video sparks outrage : Locals and lawmakers criticise conduct as authorities say vehicle was removed during anti-encroachment drive, by Arjun Shah (kp 15/06/2026)

Addressing language barrier in early grade learning : Strengthening early grade literacy begins with recognising the language children bring into the classroom, by Smita Nepal (kp 14/06/2026)

Child marriage widespread among Sunsari Musahars, by Jay Krishan Yadav (rn 14/06/2026)

Burn Survivors Deserve A Dignified Life, by Manjima Dhakal (rn 12/06/2026)

Stop Harassment Of Women Commuters, by Byanjana Sharma 8rn 12/06/2026)

Women leaders seek real influence, not just representation : Speakers at the sixth edition of Nirbhik Nari conclave discuss how financial independence, political participation and legal protection are central to advancing women’s leadership and rights, by Aarati Paudel (kp 11/06/2026)

No more delay in shelter for displaced squatters : Over weeks after riverbank evictions, hundreds of families remain confined to temporary shelters without a clear resettlement plan from the government (kp 11/06/2026)

Rights advocates appeal to UN as Nepal moves to dissolve National Child Rights Council : Civil society groups, lawmakers and former UN officials say the council oversees critical child welfare services affecting thousands of children and should be strengthened, not dismantled, by Baala Shakya (kp 11/06/2026)

Bureaucrats in the Home Ministry are against transgender people, interview with Rukshana Kapali (kp 11/06/2026)

Nepal Police calls attention for unwarranted arrests : A series of high-profile detentions followed by releases has sparked debate on investigative practice and due process, by Gaurav Pokharel (kp 11/06/2026)

Drug abuse, security concerns plague holding centre housing Thapathali evictees, by Pawan Mudbhari (kh 10/06/2026)

Universal health coverage needs more state support : Every Nepali should have access to essential health services, regardless of their financial status (kp 09/06/2026)

Why the Dalit movement needs to talk about humiliation : The Dalit movement must move beyond traditional narratives and adopt new ones, mainly humiliation, in accordance with the changing realities, by Mitra Pariyar (kp 09/06/2026)

Life after eviction is proving harder than expected : Two months after eviction, residents complain of poor food, limited work opportunities and growing uncertainty over their future, by Pawan Mudbhari (kh 09/06/2026), Elderly couple struggles at holding center after eviction from Thapathali settlement (kh) (kh 09/06/2026)

NHRC Investigation and the Perils of Parallelism, by Mukunda Raj Kattel (rep 09/06/2026)

Nepal’s proposed ‘Sunset Law’ sparks debate over environmental safeguards and indigenous rights, by Narayan Aryal (kh 08/06/2026)

Displaced settlement resident dies at Kirtipur shelter, sparking criticism over relocation policy (kh 06/06/2026), Health assessments reveal serious medical risks among displaced riverbank settlers (kh 06/06/2026), Displaced squatters left in limbo as rehabilitation remains uncertain : Nearly 1,500 people remain in temporary shelters 39 days after evictions, with no clear timeline for resettlement, by Samarpan Shree (kp 06/06/2026)

Over Rs 10 million worth of confiscated mobile phones destroyed in Siraha (kh 05/06/2026) [What is the legal basis for such action by the authorities? Punishing the students is one thing, but destroying their personal property is highly questionable!], Destruction of confiscated cell phones sparks legal and administrative scrutiny : The destroyed devices included seven iPhones and 489 Android smartphones. Officials estimate their combined value at more than Rs10 million, by Binay Aazad (kp 07/06/2026)

Gen-Z civic campaign alleges political intimidation inside police custody (kh 04/06/2026)

Human rights watchdog’s call for retrospective law sparks legal and constitutional questions : NHRC wants law to prosecute the accused in Gen Z revolt crackdown, but experts say such a move would violate protections against retrospective criminal prosecution, by Krishna Bahab (kp 03/06/2026)

Rejected at border, former Bhutanese political prisoners return after 18 years in jail : Denied entry into Nepal for lacking identification documents, Chatur Man Tamang and Hasta Bahadur Rai head back towards Bhutan with nowhere else to go, by Parbat Portel (kp 03/06/2026), GCRPPB welcomes release of two Bhutanese political prisoners, calls for freedom of remaining 28 (nn 04/06/2026)

38 child marriage cases reported via helpline in Koshi (nn 03/06/2026)

Rights of Indigenous Peoples in Nepal: The inevitable shift, by Vidhu Praksh Kayastha (ht 02/06/2026)

For many women in Nepal, public transport remains a space of fear : Women who regularly use public transport say harassment remains a routine part of daily travel in the country. Yet only a small fraction of cases reach the police, by Aarati Paudel (kp 02/06/2026), Making public transport safe for women : Women either give up travelling or limit their travel time when they are harassed on public transport (kp 03/02/2026)

Child marriage, superstition drive stillbirth crisis in Achham : Health workers say teenage pregnancy, poor nutrition, and reliance on faith healers keep stillbirth figures stubbornly high, by Menuka Dhungana (kp 01/06/2026)

How Nepal’s ‘gender responsive’ budget fails the women it claims to serve : Nepal’s gender budgeting system has become a paper exercise—reporting perfect compliance while failing to track whether programmes actually improve women’s lives, by Aarya Chand (kp 31/05/2026)

Refugees in Nepal: Between Humanitarianism and Geopolitics : Nepal hosts Bhutanese, Tibetan, Rohingya, and other refugee communities, but their status is shaped less by law than by shifting humanitarian needs and regional geopolitical pressures, by Binod Dhakal (nn 31/05/2026)

All is not well at holding centres for displaced squatters, by Sita Neupane (kh 29/05/2026)

Why Nepal cannot easily ignore NHRC’s Gen Z crackdown recommendations : Former NHRC member says the commission’s report carries full legal and constitutional weight both inside Nepal and internationally, by Durga Dulal (kp 29/05/2026), RSP leaders take open aim at NHRC’s Gen Z report : NHRC’s investigation into the Gen Z protests triggers sharp backlash from ruling party MPs, casting doubt on the implementation of recommendations, by Bhasha Sharma (nn 29/05/2026), The NHRC has spoken. Now, prosecute : NHRC’s report must be implemented in full, and within the statutory three-month window (kp 29/05/2026)

Gen-Z protest: NHRC releases report, recommends action to govt (kh 27/05/2026), NHRC raises serious questions over Army’s role during Gen-Z protests (kh 27/05/2026), NHRC recommends action against Oli, Lekhak, Gurung and current IGP Karki over Gen-Z protests (kh 27/05/2026), NHRC recommends investigation against Gauri Bahadur Karki (kh 27/05/2026), NHRC says Rabi Lamichhane’s prison exit was illegal, recommends investigation (kh 27/05/2026), NHRC recommends investigation against Nischal Basnet (kh 27/05/2026), Fake police social media page created ahead of Gen-Z protest: NHRC Report (kh 27/05/2026), NHRC Report: ‘TOB’ group led by Sudan Gurung incited Gen-Z Protest (kh 27/05/2026), NHRC recommends six-month suspension for human rights violators (kh 27/05/2026), Arson and vandalism began from Deuba Chowk: NHRC Report (kh 27/05/2026), Oli, Lekhak and Gurung cannot be punished under existing law for alleged rights violations during Gen-Z protests (kh 27/05/2026), NHRC report does not raise questions on PM Shah’s role during Gen-Z protests (kh 27/05/2026), NHRC recommends probe into 15 RSP MPs over alleged involvement in Gen-Z protests (kh 27/05/2026), NHRC recommends action against former PM Karki and 49 others over September 8–9 unrest (nn 27/05/2026), TOB used students as cover to provoke violence during Gen-Z protest: NHRC report (kh 27/05/2026), NHRC says intelligence failure weakened security response during Gen-Z protests (kh 27/05/2026), NHRC recommends investigation into filmmakers, social media influencers over Gen-Z movement (kh 27/05/2026)

Implementation status of NHRC's recommendations not satisfactory: Chair Magar (rn 27/05/2026)

World Press Council Association condemns threats and pressure against journalist Kishor Shrestha (kh 27/05/2026)

10 police personnel recommended for action over detainee death in custody (kh 26/05/2026)

The human cost of Shantinagar’s eviction drive (kh 26/05/2026)

Government gone astray: Balendra Shah drifts far from the ‘Gen Z’ spirit : Driven by a rush to deliver, the government is bypassing procedures, bypassing parliament, and ignoring democratic values; human rights activists are calling the forced eviction of the landless an inhuman crime, by Lokendra Bishwakarma (nn 26/05/2026)

When Social Media Becomes a Courtroom : In Nepal, social media comment sections have become violent digital courtrooms where women are judged, humiliated, and convicted before justice even begins — a single post is all it takes for a trial to start; she speaks, and she is prosecuted (rep 26/05/2026)

Ensure Mobility Rights For The Disabled, by Meenraj Panthee (rn 25/05/2026)

Prompt justice on cards for sexual violence survivors, Minister Gautam says (kh 25/05/2026)

FNJ submits memorandum against discriminatory government advertisement policy (kh 25/05/2026) [The government has a duty to provide objective information to all citizens. This cannot be guaranteed by government-owned media, which, moreover, are read by only a fraction of the population! Independent media are a vital safeguard of democracy, and they rely on advertising for their funding.]

How the hymen test continues to undermine rape investigations in Nepal : The virginity test, which the World Health Organisation has called unscientific, is still a regular part of rape investigations in Nepal, by Tufan Neupane (kp 23/05/2026)

Dalit youth held over child marriage dies in police custody. Mother demands, impartial investigation, action : Shree Krishna was found hanging inside a toilet at the Area Police Office in Khurkot on April 20 after being detained over allegations linked to child marriage and rape, by Shikha Shrestha (kp 22/05/2026)

Cyber Bureau summons three comedians over alleged derogatory remarks about police (kh 22/05/2026)

NHRC member warns of releasing Gen Z protest report if delayed by commission (nn 19/05/2026), NHRC Must End the Silence (rep 19/05/2026)

Beyond Borders: India and Nepal’s Silent Fight Against Trafficking, by Rishi Suri (rep 19/05/2026)

Nepal prepares softer penalties for consensual adolescent relationships : Under existing law, the marriage age is 20 and any sexual relationship involving a person under 18 is classified as rape, regardless of consent, by Durga Dulal (kp 18/05/2026)

Landless squatters question government’s commitment to resolving land issues : With only four provisions on land-related concerns in the government’s annual policy and programme, activists and informal settlers say key questions over land rights, housing security and evictions remain unanswered , by Deepak Sapkota (kp 18/05/2026)c

Life shattered: The tale of landless settlers’ eviction : Displaced from their settlements, the poor face severe physical and mental distress inside holding centers, while the education of over 3,000 children has been completely disrupted, by Lokendra Bishwakarma (nn 18/05/2026)

MPs demand probe into assets, NHRC report and human trafficking networks (nn 18/05/2026)

Ruby Khan refuses to relent in the fight for Nirmala Kurmi’s justice : Rights activist alleges repeated detention and intimidation as police accuse her of using the case to influence legal proceedings, by Gaurav Pokharel and Rupa gahatraj (kp 17/05/2026)

Govt under pressure after failing to rehabilitate squatters displaced from Kathmandu settlements, by Sita Neupane (kh 16/05/2026), Demolition aftermath turns environmental concern : Experts warn that unsegregated rubble along Kathmandu’s river corridors could generate toxic leachate, reduce floodwater absorption capacity and increase flooding risks, by Tara Prakash (kp 16/05/2026)

Activists resist lowering marriage age to 18, by Binu Shrestha (rn 16/05/2026)

Everything You Need to Know About Nepal’s Stalled Transitional Justice : Why has Nepal, after ending a decade-long brutal civil conflict and adopting a new constitution, still failed to account for the tortured, dead, and disappeared?, by Binod Dhakal (nn 15/05/2026)

Usury and Nepal’s Expanding Black Economy : Illegal debt cycles are pushing rural Nepal to the edge, leaving families homeless and trapped in a desperate struggle between life and death, by Shambhu Rasaili (nn 15/05/2026)

Everything You Need to Know About Nepal’s Stalled Transitional Justice : Why has Nepal, after ending a decade-long brutal civil conflict and adopting a new constitution, still failed to account for the tortured, dead, and disappeared?, by Binod Dhakal (nn 15/05/2026)

A renewed hope for transitional justice : As Nepal enters the twentieth year since the end of the armed conflict, hopes for long-delayed transitional justice have resurfaced following the dismissal of commission officials and the rise of a new government promising reform, by Bhasha Sharma (nn 15/05/2026)

Inside Custody, Outside Accountability (rep 14/05/2026), 23 days on, questions linger over Krishna BK’s death in police custody : Family members suspect foul play, demands transparency, by Pabitra Sunar (rep 14/05/2026)

Rethinking Nepal’s Squatter Evictions : Nepal’s squatter evictions reveal the tension between development-driven state action and the human cost of displacement, raising urgent questions about justice, belonging, and government responsibility, by Sangya Dhungana (rep 13/05/2026)

Scrutinising Press Freedom In Nepal, by Namrata Sharma (rn 13/05/2026)

Landless squatters descend on Kathmandu to protest evictions : Protesters from all seven provinces accuse the government of displacing communities without resettlement plans, by Deepak Sapkota (kp 12/05/2026)

Education Minister Pokharel warns teachers to stay away from politics (nn 12/05/2026) [In a democratic state, every citizen must have the right to engage in political activity, regardless of their profession. It would be perfectly acceptable to prohibit teachers from engaging in political activity within the context of their teaching duties. However, outside their educational institutions, they must be entitled to engage in any form of political activity, provided that it does not contravene the fundamental order of the Nepalese state.]

Madheshi Commission functioning in limited resources (nn12/05/2026)

Supreme Court issues interim order on petition against student organisation ban (kh 11/05/2026), SC issues second setback to Balen Shah-led government over union ban (kh 11/05/2026)

Apology To Dalits And Unmet Justice, by Rajendra K Panthee (rn 11/05/2026)