need to initiate the orientation and awareness programs for the constituent assembly members so as to enhance the level of their understanding of the issues and receive their overwhelming support to human rights. Nepal has been a party to major international human rights instruments including ILO Convention-169, CRC Optional Protocols and CEDAW Optional Protocol. There are some other instruments that need ratification or accession for which NHRC may require to focus its work in the future. These instruments include the Optional Protocol on Convention against Torture (CAT), Convention on the Rights of the Persons with Disability, Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance and Convention on the Protection of All Migrant Workers and Members of their Families, etc. As an operational and internal intervention, NHRC has a plan to enhance its accessibility by expanding its outreach programmes. The Commission has been dealing with these issues in its ongoing restructuring process. The Commission is also in a process of reorganizing and restructuring itself in line with the constitutional mandate and the changed socio-political context of the country to promote and protect human rights more effectively. 2. INSTITUTIONAL PROFILE The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) was established in 2000 under the Human Rights Commission Act, 1997. The Interim Constitution of Nepal, 2007, elevated it to the constitutional body from the earlier statutory status. Primarily, the Commission is responsible for the protection, promotion, respect for and enforcement of human rights in Nepal. NHRC has been emerging as a strong and credible institution in the recent years. After the appointment of new commissioners in September, 2007, the Commission has been accredited an “A” grade status by the International Coordinating Committee of NHRIs. The Commission has four Regional Offices located in Biratnagar, Pokhara, Nepalgunj and Dhangadhi for the East, West, Middle West and Far West regions respectively aiming to increase access to human rights services in the field. Five Contact Offices that are of ad hoc nature are located in Khotang, Dhanusha, Rupandehi, Rolpa and Jumla districts. Recently the Commission has taken a decision to continue the four regional offices and establish seven sub-regional offices by integrating the current contact offices into them. The commission is in the process of opening sub-regional offices in Ilam, Khotang, Janakpur, Katmandu, Butawal, Dang, and Jumla to expand the outreach programs and access to human rights services effectively to the people. In addition, the office of the National Rapporteur on Trafficking in NHRC Central Office has also been functioning as an important wing of the Commission for the prevention and control of human trafficking in the country. 11