KATHMANDU, March 23: A parliamentary committee has directed the government to build a model detention center in each province.
The Law, Justice, and Human Rights Committee under the House of Representatives instructed the government during a meeting at Singha Durbar on Sunday to construct these centers.
Announcing the decision, Committee Chairperson Bimala Subedi called for reforms in policies and legal provisions related to police detention and human rights, aligning them with current needs.
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Chairperson Subedi directed the government to enhance the physical management of police detention centers, ensuring that detainee numbers do not exceed the prescribed capacity. She emphasized the need for a detainee-friendly environment with transparency, accountability, and proper resource management. She also stressed the importance of maintaining an atmosphere in detention centers that upholds the right to justice under Article 20 of the Constitution and the right against torture under Article 22.
Chairperson Subedi instructed the government, through the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers and the Ministry of Home Affairs, to ensure the protection, empowerment, and promotion of human rights in detention centers. She also urged the construction of at least one model detention center in an appropriate location in each province, based on studies and research.
She stated that the committee had approved three reports: Field Monitoring Subcommittee Report 2081 BS on police detention centers in Kailali and Kanchanpur districts of Sudurpashchim Province; Field Monitoring Subcommittee Report 2081 BS on police detention centers in Bara, Rautahat, Sarlahi, Mahottari, Dhanusha, Siraha, and Saptari districts of Madhesh Province; and Field Monitoring Subcommittee Report 2081 BS on police detention centers in Nawalparasi (Bardaghat Susta West), Rupandehi, Kapilvastu, Dang, and Banke districts of Lumbini Province.
She added that the committee had decided to request the Speaker to arrange for the presentation of these reports at the upcoming meeting of the House of Representatives.