Chapter 1 Background 1.1 Introduction National Human Rights Commission was established on 26 May 2000. The Commission has been moving forward in its 21 years journey facing various upheavals. The Commission established in accordance with the Human Rights Commission Act 1997 was elevated as a constitutional body by the interim Constitution of Nepal 2007 and Part 25, Article 248 and 249 of the Constitution of Nepal provides the functions, duties and powers of the Commission. The Paris Principles related to Principles relating to the Status of National Institutions (The Paris Principles) adopted by General Assembly 1993 recognizes that every NHRIs in the country should function in accordance these principles for the protection and promotion of human rights. As per these principles, the Commission has been recognized since its inception as an institution working in compliance with the international standards and norms having broad mandate and capacity, independence from the government for its functioning. The Constitution clearly mentions the guarantee of its independence and autonomy. National Human Rights Commission since its establishment has been formulating various policies, regulations and plans for the protection, promotion of human rights and development of human rights culture. The Commission has implemented its first strategic plan formulating in 2001-2003 and, similarly, second, third, fourth, fifth 2004-2008, 2008-2011, 2011-2014, and 2015-2020 respectively. During this period internal conflict, killings, enforced disappearance, abduction, torture, arbitrary detention including other issues of civil and political rights was prioritized due to the conflict and transitional period. Recently, the main function is to implement the comprehensive and various issues stating fundamental rights enshrined in the Constitution of Nepal promulgated through the Constituent Assembly, in order to fulfil the aspirations for sustainable peace, good governance, development and prosperity through the federal, democratic, republican system of governance. In this changing social and political scenario of the nation, the Commission has formulated its 6 year strategic plan for 2021 -2026 AD prioritizing the transitional justice, social inclusion, consumer rights, nondiscrimination, destitute, rights of the marginalized and Sixth Strategic Plan 2021-2026 1