1. CONTEXT The Interim Constitution of Nepal (2007) has given wider mandates to NHRC for the protection, promotion and enforcement of human rights in Nepal. The Comprehensive Peace Accord (CPA) and the 23-point agreement and other consensual engagements have provided NHRC responsibilities to monitor the compliance of those accords from human rights perspectives. In addition, the Commission had been actively engaged in the monitoring of the Constituent Assembly election and purports to support constitution making process with a view to make human rights-friendly constitution. The Strategic Plan 2004-2008 has prioritized the areas that were pertinent in the situation of the decade-long armed conflict in the country. Currently, the country is in the post-conflict situation. Accelerated economic and social development is urgently needed in order to ameliorate the suffering and distress of the people thrust on them during the conflict. In order to support and comply with the national development agenda, this document primarily focuses on the promotion, protection and fulfillment of and respect for the economic, social and cultural rights of the people along with their civil and political rights. The majority of the people are still living in the state of abject poverty and threat of violence. Therefore, there is an urgent need to ensure their ESC rights followed by the right to lead a life characterized by self esteem, and a development-friendly peaceful environment. With the end of the decade-long armed conflict, Nepal has entered into the peace building process. The CPA signed between the GoN and the Communist Party of Nepal - Maoist (CPN-M) in 2006 has opened an avenue for sustainable peace in the country. As agreed in the CPA, necessary mechanisms such as, Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) and Commission for Peace and Reconstruction (CPR) are expected to be established in the near future. In addition, the Interim Constitution (IC) has envisaged the need for the formation several other commissions in order to maintain peace, justice and the rule of law in the country. The widespread poverty and caste/ethnicity and gender-based discriminations collectively impinge on the peaceful enjoyment of human rights. Deep-rooted hierarchical power structures, discrimination and socio-economic inequalities persist in the society. The Commission will focus on the rights of the disadvantaged groups which include women, dalits, nationalities and indigenous people, madhesis and minorities. In addition, the NHRC is expected to address the issues of social inclusion in order to maintain equity and better respect for human rights. To ensure higher standards for human rights in the prospective of constitution building process, the independence of NHRC is very crucial. Therefore, our efforts would be in advocating for the constitutional safeguard of NHRC and HR-friendly constitution making process through active, free and meaningful participation and representation of women, and disadvantaged groups. NHRC strongly feels that there is also an urgent 10