Results: First South Asian Restorative Justice Essay Prize
November 22, 2024
Nepal Forum for Restorative Justice, together with National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), organized a consultation meeting with civil society organizations on the theme of human rights-based approach in the local governments on 17 October 2023.
In the consultation meeting, the discussions focused on the role of CSOs to support
local government to implement human-rights based approach in local government
works. The CSOs from different organizations were thankful to the organizer for conducting
consultation meetings before creating a manual and implementing it in local level. They said that after the federal republic in Nepal, CSOs are playing a pivotal role in supporting local governments to implement a human-rights based approach in their operations.
They also shared that the CSOs act as a bridge between the local government, NHRC and the community, ensuring that the voices, needs and the rights of the people are seen, heard and addressed. They advocated for policies that uphold human rights, promote inclusivity, and ensure equal access to
services. The CSOs also monitor the actions of local governments,
holding them accountable for any human rights violations.
In the consultation meeting, CSOs shared optimism that having manual will be supportive to bring changes in local level planning, decision-making process, and participation of disability, minorities, women and marginalized community in development work. Also, they suggested that they can contribute more if they get opportunity to review drafted manual created by team of NFRJ, experts and NHRC.
By doing joint research, advocacy campaigns, or capacity-building programs for local government officials, CSOs can contribute to implement and promote human-rights based approaches in local government’s work. There were 40 (23 males and 17 females) in the meeting
NFRJ and the Commission are working together to draft a manual and resource book that paves a way for local governments to incorporate a human rights approach in their operations.
