KATHMANDU: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has urged the government to explore solutions to the issue of Guthi bill through talks with stakeholders. Issuing a press release on Wednesday, NHRC Director Dr Tikaram Pokharel called on the government to respect citizens’ right to peaceful assembly and demonstration, arrange treatment of the injured and explore solution through talks and dialogue by bringing the guilty to justice.
The constitutional human rights watchdog also demanded withdrawal of Guthi bill tabled in the Parliament and also drew its attention on excessive use of force and ill-treatment against Guthi activists in course of their peaceful demonstration on June 9.
As cultural right is an inseparable part of the human rights, NHRC has clear stance that no authority can undermine human rights anywhere in any pretext, reads the press release. The human rights body also made plea to all sides to remain sensitive not to allow situation when the deep-rooted traditional culture and practices of different groups and class would disappear as well as to assure the protection of the right.
However, NHRC has also urged the demonstrators to exercise tolerance while conducting protest programmes and asserting their demands. Guthi is a trust or social organization that manages social, cultural and religious activities through the income generated from its land.
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