LALITPUR, Dec 8: Home Minister Om Prakash Aryal has said that a weakened democracy poses serious challenges to the protection of human rights, urging all stakeholders to remain vigilant.
Addressing the opening ceremony of the 17th National Human Rights General Assembly in Lalitpur on Monday, he stressed that strengthening democracy is essential for ensuring effective human rights implementation.
Stating that democracy and human rights are complementary to each other, Minister Aryal said that only a consolidated democratic system can guarantee the rights of citizens. He added that the government is committed to institutionalizing democratic practices in the current context of political transition and called on all concerned parties to contribute to conducting the upcoming House of Representatives (HoR) election in a free, fair and fear-free environment.
He also reaffirmed Nepal’s commitment to implementing the principles outlined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, noting the need to fulfill the promises made to the international community. Concluding the transitional justice process—the work of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC)—to ensure the rights of all citizens is the nation’s foremost need at present, he emphasized.
Minister Aryal further stated that human rights form the backbone of a civilized, inclusive, and democratic society. Ensuring freedom, equality, and a secure life for citizens is the primary responsibility of the state, he said, adding that this responsibility cannot be fulfilled by the government alone and requires collective effort from all levels of society, including civil society, human rights defenders, and the public.