JANAKPURDHAM, Aug 4: The Madhesh Provincial Office of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) received 39 complaints related to human rights violations during fiscal year 2025/26.
Office chief Buddha Narayan Sahani Kewat said the complaints mainly concerned violations of fundamental rights, women’s and children’s rights, caste-based discrimination, economic and social rights, and protection against torture.
According to the office, 17 complaints were filed under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, while seven involved domestic violence, gender discrimination, physical and mental abuse, social exclusion and violence against women.
Three complaints concerned violence against children, two involved caste discrimination, social exclusion and unequal treatment, eight related to lack of access to essential services such as healthcare, education, employment, food security, housing and social protection, and three were filed under the Convention Against Torture.
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Kewat said the provincial office completed investigations into 110 complaints during the fiscal year and forwarded them to the commission’s central office for final decisions.
The NHRC is currently investigating 377 complaints.
As part of the investigation process, the commission seeks information from concerned agencies, records statements from victims and stakeholders, conducts field inspections and carries out necessary coordination.
Kewat said many complaints involve police refusing to register cases, ineffective investigations even after complaints are filed, difficulties faced by victims in obtaining justice, delays in administrative hearings and limited access to government services.
Stakeholders say complaints related to human rights have increased in Madhesh in recent years due to growing social tensions, gender-based violence, caste discrimination, administrative negligence and barriers to accessing justice.