As the building provided to the Commission is dilapidated and inadequate and lacks a toilet, waiting room, library and meeting hall, the Commission has had severe problems. And though the regulation concerning the terms of service and facilities of the Chairperson, Member and Secretary provides for a vehicle each along with a driver, the government has till now provided only two vehicles and one driver. This has hindered the work-efficiency of the Commission. Since the Commission, as per its nature of work, has to engage in activities like investigation, inquiry and monitoring, the absence of urgently needed vehicles for such activities has obstructed the daily activities of the Commission. Also, vehicles have to be hired while going outside Kathmandu, which has created an additional financial burden for the Commission. Despite all the shortages and problems, one has to take satisfaction in the activities accomplished by the Commission during the period of this report. The Commission, in the short period of its existence, has succeeded in becoming the eighth member of the Asia Pacific Forum of National Human Rights Institutions. The Commission, within three months of starting its activities, had finalized the regulations to be brought forth by the Commission and sent it to the government for suggestions, thus preparing the legal basis for its activities. In addition, the Commission established contacts with foreign diplomats and donor agencies and identified areas of cooperation to enhance the capability of the Commission. The Commission, as an outcome of this, has prepared the basis for initiating in the near future a project to strengthen the Commission. During the period of this report, the Commission, with regard to complaints and compensation, recommended to the government to give compensation Rs. 100,000 each to the families of the persons killed in the police firing in Nepalgunj prison. The Commission also cautioned the government, thus discouraging numerous cases of unlawful arrests. The Commission, during the course of its inquiry and investigations, looked into the incidences of the deaths of Khusilal Yadav by firing at Netachok in Rajbiraj and of Gauri Sapkota by police firing in Bharatpur, Chitwan. The Commission, following necessary investigations, has reached the final stage of its decision with regard to the two cases. In order to take necessary initiatives for human rights, Members of the Commission Dr. Gaurishankar Lal Das, Prof. Kapil Shrestha and Mr. Sushil Pyakurel visited the Maoist-affected districts of the mid-western region to observe the human rights situation therein. The visits have helped the Commission to arrive at a clear picture regarding the human rights situation of the Maoist-affected areas. The observation visits are continuing. The Commission also took necessary steps under the initiative of Member Ms. Indira Rana and by coordinating with nongovernment organizations in finalizing, in the interests of women, the bill related to women’s right to parental property under consideration in parliament. Another initiative on behalf of women was the organizing of a discussion program to bring to the attention of all concerned the issue of incorporating in the budget presented in parliament of effective programs in the interests of women. All the participants in the discussion program took the issue very positively. With a view to increasing cooperation between the Commission and human rights related nongovernmental organizations as well as encouraging such organizations, the office bearers of the Commission have undertaken observation visits of the organizations. There have also been

Select target paragraph3