2.2.4. Child Rights
In Nepal, there are Constitution, laws, policies, and rules, structural and institutional
provisions regarding child rights. However, due to geographical disadvantages, economic,
social conditions, disability, child labor and discrimination, the implementation of
children's right to life, protection, development and participation has not improved as
expected.
According to the 15th plan of the National Planning Commission, the enrollment rate
at primary level has reached 97 percent. Due to geographical remoteness, economic
impoverishment, policy uncertainty, etc. during the Covid pandemic, there is no easy
access of every child to online education. Some schools lack physical infrastructure; childfriendly environments, girl-friendly toilets, disability-friendly structures and textbooks,
and some other continue the corporeal punishment. There is a need to bring policies and
programs at the local level by creating a mechanism as per the Children's Act.
2.2.5. Rights of Persons with Disabilities
Even under normal circumstances, the rights of persons with disabilities being
unsatisfactory, it has not been found that this right has been guaranteed in the time of
Covid-19. Incidents of discrimination and abuse against persons with disabilities still
remain the same. People with physical and psychosocial disabilities find it even more
difficult to lead a dignified life in the period of lockdown and injunction of the Covid
pandemic. The Commission's monitoring has shown that visually impaired and other
persons with disabilities are denied admission in schools, physical infrastructure and
vehicles are not disability friendly and persons with disabilities are also victims of sexual
harassment.
2.2.6. The Human Rights of Migrant Workers and their Families
The Commission has been publishing reports monitoring the policy reforms and human
rights situation for the protection of human rights of Nepali migrant workers and their
families. The Commission signed a 10-point agreement (MOU) with the National
Human Rights Committee of Qatar on November 16, 2015. Similarly, the Commission
has monitored the detention center of Immigration Department, Department of Foreign
Employment, Immigration Room at Tribhuvan International Airport, Labor Desk and
Indian border checkpoints.
It was found that some of the migrant workers lost their lives due to their hazardous
working conditions and some lost their jobs and income during the Covid-19 pandemics.
There have been incidents of violation of labor rights, social stigma and discriminatory
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National Human Rights Commission of Nepal