monitoring that was provided to human rights workers in the non-governmental sector in all the five development regions this year is a major achievement. The issue of safeguarding human rights has now become a subject of international concern. The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, rapporteurs attached to varied human rights organizations, Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, International Commission of Jurists and such other INGOs have been constantly concerned about human rights in Nepal. The Commission welcomes the efforts made by these agencies to give it international exposure. Similarly, the government, different political parties and diplomatic missions based in Nepal have been supporting the Commission’s work and have provided it physical, financial or moral help during critical times. The Commission wishes to express its gratitude to them. The Commission has played an important role by maintaining contact with international human rights organizations and making its presence felt at international human rights forums. This year, despite many hindrances, the Commission held the Eighth Annual Meeting of the Asia Pacific Forum of National Human Rights Institutions in Nepal which was a success. The conference was also an opportunity for the Commission to make a strong showing to the international community. I would like to express my gratitude for the support, advice and encouragement provided to the Commission by national and international sectors to carry out its statutory responsibilities to protect and promote human rights. I would also like to thank my associates and the staff of the Commission for their help in preparing this report. Nayan Bahadur Khatri Chairman