KATHMANDU, Jan 9: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has welcomed the initiative taken by the Ministry of Home Affairs to re-investigate the case of Nirmala Panta, a 13-year-old girl from Kanchanpur who was murdered after being raped more than four years ago. 

In order to ensure justice to the victims in the context of increasing cases of rape and sexual violence, the commission has written a letter to the Office of the Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers of the Government of Nepal seeking prompt action for justice delivery.

The letter has urged the government to bring the incident of Nirmala Panta to a logical conclusion based on suggestions received from the team including experts assigned by the National Human Rights Commission.

The NHRC also apprised the government that the cases of rape and sexual violence have been increasing in Nepal sine the past few years. 

Last year alone, 2,380 women and girls were victims of rape, said the letter adding that most of the culprits of these incidents were not identified. 

The commission also urged the government to expedite the investigation and prosecution process and to quickly establish a forensic lab with skilled manpower in the provincial hospitals of all seven provinces.

It has also demanded the government to immediately deal with complaints of violence against women and sexual minorities.

 
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