NATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION 7.1.12. Initiation on law reforms Recognizing various shortcomings in the existing rules and regulations which have been hindering the efficient functioning of the Commission as a free and autonomous agency on the basis of the tenets set by the Paris Principles, the Commission has taken various initiatives to draft and draw up different laws and regulations like the Human Rights Commission Act, Staff Regulations, etc. In this context, the Commission has also set up a committee with the purpose of offering necessary advice to amend the Human Rights Commission Act. Likewise, the Commission has completed such tasks as the drafting of directives regarding human rights monitoring, training manual on human rights, preparation of a code of conduct for the members and the staff of the Commission and its implementation. This is expected to considerably facilitate the Commission in meeting the legal and procedural shortcomings in its work performance. The Commission has also drafted and implemented the financial regulations. 7.1.13. Policy Making The Commission has started work on policy making on various subjects to make it more proficient in playing an effective role for the protection and safeguarding of human rights. The Commission has initiated working on the drafting of various policies including the human resources development policy, policies related to the implementation of the principles adopted by the strategic plan of the Commission, policies on monitoring of human rights, expertise service and staff recruitment. 7.1.14. Monitoring of Human Rights Action Plan This year, the Government has prepared a human rights work plan. The Commission has taken this as a significant opportunity as it expects the action plan to provide support in the more effective execution of the Commission’s activities. The Commission has also taken this act as a commitment by the Government towards upholding human rights. The participation by the general public, along with the officials of the Commission getting engaged in some way or the other in preparing this action plan, has helped in making the various agencies of the government more active and aware of matters related to human rights. 7.2. Challenges facing the Commission The challenges facing the Commission, while protecting and promoting the human rights in the course of carrying out its responsibilities granted it by law, are discussed below: 7.2.1. Implicated situation due to the internal conflict Although the cease fire between HMG and the Maoists during last reported period gave some hope, human rights situation worsened with the country heading towards more violence and killings. If the internal armed conflict has resulted in the deaths of thousands of innocent citizens, the condition of the widows, disabled and orphans is getting even more critical.The image of Nepal in the international arena has also been tarnished due to incidents of human rights violation such as abductions, disappearances and torture. 74