Piloting of Human rights-based Governance in Tansen, Lumbini Province

In collaboration with the National Human Rights Commission, the Nepal Forum for Restorative Justice (NFRJ) recently conducted a two-day pilot workshop for Tansen Municipality on February 5-6, 2024. The workshop aimed to illuminate the intricate relationship between human rights and local development.

The two-day workshop was a piloting event on finalizing the manual and resource book on human rights-based approaches in local governments which the NHRC and NFRJ are developing together. Based on this, discussions were held with the stakeholders during the workshop. The need was highlighted where local governments have key roles in defending and safeguarding human rights within their communities, and to facilitate this, harmonize policies with international human rights norms and eventually foster inclusivity and active community participation. The workshop presented an all-inclusive framework aimed at advancing sustainable and inclusive local development by prioritizing human rights principles in the operational strategies of local governments.

During the workshop, Mr. Rajan K.C., the director of NFRJ, shared that local governments serve as frontline agents of governance, directly interacting with communities and implementing policies that impact individual well-being, and hence in their work, justice and human rights stand basic. Mr. Manoj Duwadi, an honorable member of NHRC, shared that local governments act as policy developers, crafting and enacting policies tailored to the needs of their communities. He recommended that local governments should prioritize human rights principles in their processes to ensure alignment with international standards. This fosters a society that respects human rights and integrates principles such as non-discrimination, equality, equity, justice, and dignity into local policies, laying the groundwork for fair governance and social justice.

There were 27 participants from Tansen Municipality, including Mayor Mr. Santosh Lal Shrestha, Deputy Mayor Ms. Pratikshya Gaha Sinjali, ward chairpersons, human-rights defenders, and local stakeholders from various local CSOs. Mr. Madhu Dawadi, as an expert of the subject facilitated the workshop, which was chaired by the honorable member of NHRC, Mr. Manoj Duwadi. The program was supported by The Asia Foundation/DFAT under the Sub-National Governance Program. The feedbacks received from the piloting workshop shall be incorporated into the manual and resource book that NHRC and NFRJ are developing together.