Institute to launch programme in Nepal

An agreement between the Embassy of Denmark in Nepal and the Danish Institute for Human Rights paves the way for the institute giving support to key institutions within the human rights protection system of Nepal over the next four years.

The work will focus on strengthening the state institutions in their efforts to secure that the people of Nepal are protected from human rights violations such as torture.

"We are very pleased that we are able to establish long-term cooperation and support with key Nepalese state institutions. The last eight years, the Nepalese have been working to further the human rights situation following 10 years of armed conflict. So many actors in Nepal are striving to improve the conditions in the country, but they are facing opposition too. That is why it is so important to give support," Mie Rosdahl, senior advisor at the Danish Institute for Human Rights, explains.

Top-down and bottom up
The approach of the institute will be to work both top-down and bottom-up - securing compliance of national legislation and policies with international standards,supporting implementation of these laws and policies, and from bottom-up working with police officers in districts to identify effective and practicalapproaches to preventing torture and improper use of force.

The systemic approach which is anchored in partnering with state institutions is symbolic of the new International Strategy of the Danish Institute for Human Rights. The partnerships are based on mutual sharing and collaboration. There is much to gain from sharing with institutions such as the Human Rights Division of the Office of the Prime Minister of Nepal who, despite limited staff resources, is leading the way for improved human rights protection in Nepal.

"State institutions are vital in order to secure the population against human rights violations such as torture in prisons and under police custody, but also in securing equal access to public services and non-discrimination. And with better realisation of human rights and good governance, strengthens the possibilities for growth, employment and sustainable peace," Mie Rosdahl says.

Since 1996, the Danish Institute for Human Rights has been working in Nepal with many different human rights actors, including the National Human Rights Commission of Nepal, Kathmandu School of Law and NGOs. More direct engagement with key state institutions during the last year has resulted in workshops in Denmark and Nepal on anti-torture, on how to monitor progress on specific rights issues, and on how to engage with the international human rights mechanisms. Today, the institute has committed itself to staying engaged in Nepal and contribute to its ongoing efforts to develop a peaceful and prosperous country that gives all people of Nepal the possibility to enjoy their rights.