discrimination against the aboriginal populations has been increasing, the experts
exhorted the Commission to take heed of the economic and social situation of the
aboriginal populations and to focus its attention on those particular areas.
On the occasion of Human Rights Day, an exhibition and sale of awareness raising
materials was also organized by governmental and non-governmental organizations,
along with the showing of an awareness raising documentary.
(b)
Day for the Victims of Torture
The Fifth United Nations Day for the Victims of Torture was jointly organized by the
Commission and the Centre for Victims of Torture at the Commission’s premises on 26
June 2001. On the occasion, Secretary of the Commission, Mr. Jogendra Keshari
Ghimire and lawyer Mr. Rabindra Bhattarai presented a joint paper on "Torture-less
Criminal Investigation: Problems and Commitment". The paper emphasized on the
sincerity to be shown by all the organs of the criminal justice system during criminal
investigations, concentration on physical evidence rather than reliance on witnesses
during investigations, giving of human rights education to the investigation officer to
make the investigative government agencies sensitive, ending of the tendency among
investigating officials to think of themselves as the masters of the people, providing the
right to legal counsel, and the commitment among the government agencies to work for
the service of the people.
3.4.3 Publication, Distribution and Compilation
After its formation, the Commission has brought out as its publications the Human Rights
Commission Act (1997) (in English as well as Nepali), an introductory brochure about the
Commission and a quarterly bulletin about its affairs. These publications have been distributed
to those visiting the Commission and to the participants of the programs organized by the
Commission. They have also been sent to the District Administration Offices, District
Development Committee offices, Nepali police and various libraries. Copies of the
Commission’s decision arrived at in accordance with the National Human Rights Commission
(Complaints, Action, Compensation) Regulation 2057 BS, concerning the death of prisoners in
Nepalgunj jail by police firing and the unlawful arrest of Tara Prasad Bhushal by the police
from premises of Butwal Appellate Court alongwith copies of the National Human Rights
Commission (Complaints, Action, Compensation) Regulation, 2057 BS have been sent to all
the District police offices, district administration offices and all the 73 prisons around the
country.
A documentation centre has been established at the Commission for the collection and orderly
arrangement of books, magazines, reports, etc received by the Commission. Efforts are
underway for the proper arrangement of all the received materials. Correspondence is being
held with various ministries, national and international non-governmental organizations,
government agencies, embassies, libraries, etc. for the collection of additional materials and to
make the documentation centre more effective. The centre had been receiving books, magazines
and reports from offices of organizations with whom it has corresponded.
3.5
Protection Activities