News

Advocacy Forum-Nepal (Banke) draws the attention of the authorities to the implementation of the Court’s order

Advocacy Forum-Nepal (Banke) draws the attention of the authorities to the implementation of the Court’s order

9 May 2021, Banke: On 9 May 2021, Advocacy Forum-Nepal, Banke together with other human rights lawyers submitted a memorandum to the District Administration Office (Banke), the District Crisis Management Committee, District COVID-19 Crisis Management Operation Centre requesting the implementation of the Court’s order. Earlier on 30 April 2021 Tulsipur High Court, Nepalgunj Bench issued a 14-point interim order instructing the District Administration Office, Banke including others to prioritize the protection of people’s right to life, along with the adoption of effective measures for the prevention, control of the ongoing health crisis in Banke resulted from the contagious variant of the coronavirus (COVID-19). Further, on 2 May 2021, the Court wrote to the District Administration Office, Banke to submit a written response clarifying the progress and efforts undertaken for the implementation of the order. 

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‘Arrange for free test and treatment for the COVID-19 virus’ orders the Tulsipur High Court, Nepalgunj Bench

30 April 2021, Banke: As the country grapples to contain the second wave of the coronavirus, Banke District has witnessed a sharp rise in the number of COVID-19 cases triggered by the new strains of the virus that is said to be more contagious than the earlier variant. With the District recording the massive surge in COVID-19 cases and fatalities every day, Advocacy Forum-Nepal’s lawyer together with other human rights lawyers brought a public interest litigation writ before the Tulsipur High Court, Nepalgunj Bench demanding an interim order along with any appropriate order to adopt effective measures to protect people’s right to live with dignity, right to quality health services as guaranteed by the Constitution of Nepal.

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AF Coordinated Health Camp in CCH, Rupandehi

Rupandehi, 16 March 2021: A Health Camp was organized for the juveniles of Rupandehi Child Correction Home (CCH) on 5th and 6th March 2021 in Advocacy Forum's initiation and coordination with Nepal Child Welfare Association, Siddarthanagar Municipality and Rotary Club of Central Lumbini. During AF's monitoring visit to the Child Correction Home in Rupandehi on February 27, 2021, AF lawyers found that the children kept there needed immediate medical supports. Altogether 142 juveniles were benefitted from this health camp which was organized at CCH’s premises.

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A tragic tale of two girls in the land of Buddha

A tragic tale of two girls in the land of Buddha

A Nepali mother displays courage and persistence in finding truth and justice for her child

It has been nearly two years since I last visited Nepal, one of the countries of the Himalayas, where Buddha, a preacher of peace and non-violence, was born.

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Case Updates

Emblematic Cases

Among the hundreds of cases documented, Advocacy Forum has selected altogether 15 representative cases that show an endemic pattern of obstruction of justice, brazen abuse or total disregard of the law and deliberate attempts to escape accountability. The cases are also selected on the basis of their availability of evidence and wider public appeal. AF launches campaigns with other national and international organizations to establish accountability in those cases with a view to opening the door of justice to thousands of other similar cases.
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First Information Reports

First Information Report (FIR) is a formal complaint lodged with the police or District Administration Office by the victim of a cognizable offence or by someone on his/her behalf.  As per the existing legal system in Nepal, victims or their representatives do not have direct access to the courts. In criminal cases, police have exclusive jurisdiction to investigate and process evidence to the public prosecutors who then register the cases in court. However, the police authorities not only dillydally to register FIRs but also fail to carry out effective investigations. AF has been helping victims and their families to file FIRs and seeking mandamus orders for the effective investigations on the cases.
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Human Rights Committee Submissions

Advocacy Forum is the first organization in Nepal to use individual complaint mechanism under the First Optional Protocol of International Covenant for Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). According to the said protocol, individuals, whose countries are party to the ICCPR and the protocol, who claim their rights guaranteed by the ICCPR have been breached, and who have exhausted existing domestic legal remedies in the pursuit of justice, can submit written communications to the UN Human Rights Committee (HRC). This particular effort of AF has opened the space of Nepali lawyers to international litigation.
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Torture Compensation Cases

Advocacy Forum legally intervenes on behalf of detainees who claimed to have been tortured by police and forest officers in government detention facilities. Upon consent by victims, AF attorneys register suits, and represent victims in court seeking for torture compensation under the Torture Compensation Act -1996 and necessary action against the perpetrators.
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Initiatives

Case Communication

Advocacy Forum reports urgent cases of human rights violations to UN-OHCHR, AHRC and to some specific organizations such as Amnesty International, Asian Human Rights Commission, OMCT, Human Rights Watch, International Commission of Jurists, diplomatic communities, UN Special Rapporteur on Torture, the UN Special Rapporteur on Extrajudicial, Summary or Arbitrary Execution and the UN Working Group on Enforced and Involuntary Disappearances. These international organizations/bodies give due importance to our communications and have been regularly issuing urgent appeals to pressure the concerned authorities and the government. AF also regularly reports cases to Human Rights Cell of Nepal Police, Office of Attorney General and National Human Rights Commission requesting investigation and necessary action against the perpetrators and timely redress to victims.

Setting the Precedents

Important judicial rulings by courts in the cases represented by AF on behalf of victims have been instrumental in establishing case law in Nepal. The efforts of AF have been immensely important in setting standards vis-à-vis the cases of human rights violations and ensuring fair trial standards in Nepal and thereby creating a solid body of jurisprudence.  AF also files Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking various directive orders for the implementation of existing legal provisions and challenging those provisions that expressly contradict with the accepted international standards.






Capacity Building Measures

AF has developed a comprehensive framework to strengthen capacities of its staffers, stakeholders, institutions, communities and target groups for the effective realization of its vision, mission and goals. The framework is set at the systemic, institutional and individual levels.  Key areas that require capacity building are identified as per the needs of relevant stakeholders or when AF feels necessary during the implementation of its various activities. AF is also committed to increasing its functionality by supplementing the expertise of staff wherever possible, both by educational workshops and by exposure to the international human rights community.

Advocacy and Lobbying

Advocacy Forum works to influence the Nepali government's policies and laws by holding regular lobby meetings with lawmakers, officials from ministries concerned, members of the civil society and other relevant stakeholders. Via various activities, campaigns and submissions, it also tries to lobby both national and international bodies to ensure human rights are upheld. It has also been continuously seeking to establish strong lines of communication and effective working partnerships with the international and domestic human rights community. AF recognizes the necessity of international co-operation in overturning the culture of impunity that sustains a climate conducive to human rights abuse in Nepal.