NHRC likely to get ‘A’ status
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KATHMANDU, JUN 13 - The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), which is under scrutiny of the international community, has been finally recommended to be re-accredited as an 'A' grade human rights watchdog.
After more than a year-long review, the Geneva-based International Coordination Committee (ICC) of national human rights institutions on Wednesday took the decision by recognising the commission's "past advocacy efforts" and readiness to implement earlier recommendations.
An endorsement of the ICC bureau, a higher authority, will formally recognise the re-accreditation, a letter sent by the ICC to the NHRC says.
Sources said the ICC took the decision to retain the commission in the top rank "despite its weak points" considering its crucial role in monitoring human rights issues in Nepal's ongoing transition to peace.
The ICC had warned the government and the NHRC in March 2010 that the commission could be downgraded to an "observer status" if certain corrections were not made within 12 months to make the watchdog meet international standards spelled out in the Paris Principles.
The UN General Assembly adopted the Paris Principles in 1993 as international standards for all national human rights institutions of UN member states.
The ICC had asked Nepal to amend the NHRC bill to ensure its financial and operational independence in line with the Paris Principles, clear allegations of mismanagement, financial irregularities and divisions within the NHRC and improve cooperation with other human rights stakeholders.
The ICC recommendation indicates that it is satisfied with NHRC's efforts to address the concerns.
"The ICC decision has encouraged us to move ahead more confidently at this critical time," said NHRC Commissioner Gauri Pradhan, who attended the ICC meeting in Geneva. "The re-accreditation has enhanced the credibility of the institution and recognised its independent status."
The regulating body has, however, directed the NHRC to ensure that the new NHRC bill pending in the Parliament--which is also flawed in many respects--is amended in line with the Paris Principles. The ICC has also asked the commission to continue its collaboration with the OHCHR and Asia Pacific Forum of national human rights institutions.
Posted on: 2011-06-14 05:16
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