Human Rights Forum Nepal (HURFON) is a website presenting links to articles on Nepal's human rights issues as well as important background information. The link collection has been started in September 2016.

HURFON is a subsite of Nepal Research. Its name goes back to an organisation that had been founded in Germany in 1990 but that had to be dissolved some years later. Issues of the periodical of this earlier organisation that had been published under the name Nepal Forum have been archived on this website.

Women and tokenism : Instead of creating a more equal field, tokenism will destroy our gender-equal dreams (kp 30/07/2024)

Misuse of reservation quota rampant, by Bhuwan Sharma (rep 30/07/2024) [Long live the patriarchy and nepotism of the Khas Arya minority, especially the Bahuns!]

NC, UML and Maoist Center near breakthrough in TRC agreement (kh 30/07/2024) [Without the participation of the victims?], Nepal conflict victims reject sentence reduction : Ex-child soldiers criticise omission of role in transitional justice law revision bill, demand recognition and support, by Binod Ghimire (kp 31/07/2024), Task force on TRC reaches consensus (kh 01/08/2024) [The law must fulfil international standards and not serve the interests of the representatives of the forces that were in charge at the time, i.e. the Maoist leaders, the government, the army and the monarchy!]

Supreme Court allows transgender individuals to identify as male or female(kh 30/07/2024)

Monsoon-displaced families yet to get promised money : At least 140 people have died since June 10. Local officials say they are helpless as relief funds are tied up in red tape, by Arjun Poudel (kp 29/07/2024) [The constant power struggles between politicians and parties at all levels of the political system are much more important than respecting the guiding principles for the governance that are mentioned in part 4 of the constitution. To be on the safe side, Article 55 also stipulates that these principles cannot be enforced, i.e. a carte blanche for hollow promises and failure to provide assistance by the state!]

Widen Dalits' Participation In Media, by Sushil Darnal (rn 29/07/2024)

Juvenile correction centres fail in their mission : The facilities aimed at bringing about changes in the attitudes and behaviour of the children who commit crimes are unable to provide the needed support (kp 29/07/2024)

He ‘disappeared’ a woman. Congress made him minister : Badshah Kurmi, a Lumbini assembly member, is accused in Nirmala Kurmi’s disappearance, of grabbing property, by Binod Ghimire (kp 28/07/2024), When crime pays : The country’s two biggest and best established political parties are openly promoting criminals and gangsters (kp 29/07/2024)

Navigating Kathmandu with disability is a challenge : Even the new pavements built in the metropolis do not meet the standard measurements for wheelchair use, say users, by Aarati Ray (kp 28/07/2024)

Deal on reduced sentencing concerns rights defenders : A three-member panel representing the three major parties claims to have reached an agreement on reducing the sentence for serious conflict-era rights violators by three fourths (kp 26/07/2024) [The dishonest politicians simply refuse to do justice to the victims of the Maoist uprising, presumably because they are afraid of being held responsible themselves!], Three-party taskforce ‘near deal’ on transitional justice law amendments : Activists, victims decry reduced sentencing citing threats to judicial independence (kp 27/07/2024)

Journalist Shrestha receives bomb threat; calls for immediate action (rep 25/07/2024)

NC makes murder-accused Badshah a minister; Activists say the current govt belongs to ‘oppressors’ (rep 24/07/2024) [None of the parties has any scruples about covering up for people accused of capital offences or corrupt elements and promoting them to high political or administrative positions! Trials go on for many years and are repeatedly delayed.], NHRC urges against appointment of controversial figures to public office (kh 24/07/2024)

A Cabinet sans Dalits : The previous coalition government led by Pushpa Kamal Dahal had no Dalit minister either., by Mitra Pariyar (kp 23/07/2024) [Nepal's male Bahun are so competent that they could actually do without other social groups completely. According to the constitutional rules of social inclusion, the current 22 ministers would include three Dalits but only one male Bahun (see Article 40 of the constitution)!]

Broken ladder for women in politics : The current state of the Cabinet is not just a disappointment; it is an outrage, by Divya Rana and Devika Thapa (kp 22/07/2024) [This applies not only to the lack of participation of women, but also to the continued marginalisation of Dalits, Muslims and other social groups, which together make up the overwhelming majority of the Nepalese population. This criticism affects not only politics, but all areas of public life. Male Bahunbad sends its regards!]

Bankariya people have become squatters in their own land : The endangered community members, known as the ‘children of land’, are rendered landless, a violation of their fundamental right to life, security, shelter and dignity, by Aarati Ray (kp 21/07/2024)

Achham landslip victims languish in temporary shelter : It is not possible to send the landslide displaced people home anytime soon as the risk is still there, chief district officer says, by Menuka Dhungana (kp 21/07/2024)

Police start inquiries about missing kin, families claim : Conflict victims’ rights advocates, relatives object to interrogations while two commissions stay idle, by Binod Ghimire (kp 18/07/2024)

Perplexities of the permanent minority : Strengthening the Khas-Arya supremacy appears to be the main agenda of the Oli government, by CK Lal (kp 17/07/2024)

Harnessing Demographic Diversity, by Jhabindra Bhandari (rn 17/07/2024)

SC orders eviction of squatters from riverbanks with compensation (kh 16/07/2024), Supreme Court orders removal of riverside squatters : Says authorities should clear settlements along Bagmati and provide alternative housing for genuine squatters, by Binod Ghimire (kp 17/07/2024), Court ruling to boost KMC’s push to evict riverside squatters: Bagmati Civilisation officials say squatter hut demolition will resume with a simultaneous relocation plan, by Purushottam Poudel (kp 18/07/2024)

Strengthening Indigenous Rights: Key to Peace and Prosperity in Nepal's Federal Era, by Nabraj Lama (rep 15/07/2024) [The ruling Khas Arya minority refuses to understand this!]

Oli Cabinet sans Dalit representation, women get two seats (kh 15/07/2024) [Outstanding social non-inclusion in the tradition of Khas Arya minority patriarchy!]

LMC demolishes illegal settlements in Balkumari (photos)  (kh 14/07/2024)

Nepal rights commission delays law revision after avoiding downgrade : Global alliance of rights bodies has called for NHRC Act revision in line with Paris Principles, by Binod Ghimire (kp 11/07/2024)

Govt decides to extend the terms of TJ bodies by one year (rep 11/07/2024) [Without the will for justice for the victims of the uprising, the creation of the necessary laws based on international standards and sufficient personnel and financial resources, this is a sham and a waste of time and money!]

People associated with entertainment sector are compelled to face sexual exploitation, forced labor (kh 11/07/2024)

Community initiatives in Lumbini Province are helping dropout girls return to school : In the villages of Rupandehi, cultural norms and economic pressures keep many Dalit and Muslim girls from school, by Sanju Paudel (kp 11/07/2024)

Bhutan: The Paradox of Happiness and Human Rights Violations, by CM Niroula (rep 11/07/2024)

Recurrent violence plagues Nepal’s juvenile correction centres : Watchdog says these homes resemble prisons, lack basic amenities and are overcrowded (kp 10/07/2024)

What’s in the sinister deal? The oppressed are beginning to worry that the Congress-UML pact is a conspiracy to curtail their rights and privileges, by Mitra Pariyar (kp 09/07/2024) [Even the drafting of the constitution was ultimately the work of the male high-caste elite, especially of the NC and UML. It included further steps to maintain the dominance and privileges of the traditional elite and to prevent the promised social inclusion, e.g. reduction of the proportional electoral system, release of the direct election system to the traditional male highcaste elite, cutting and naming of the provinces in the interests of the Khas Arya elite, identification of state and nation with the culture of the Khas Arya minority, non-implementation of the federal state, etc. Now it is obviously a matter of eliminating the few remaining improvements after the Maoist uprising and the end of the authoritarian Hindu monarchy.]

Missing state : Little has been done for those affected by floods and landslides over the years (kp 09/07/2024)

NHRC wants war crimes and crimes against humanity to be non-amnestiable : National Human Rights Commission unveils report today detailing its efforts and positions on transitional justice, by Binod Ghimire (kp 08/07/2024)

Bhutanese govt frees political prisoner Ram Bahadur Rai nearly after 32 years in prison (rep 08/07/2024)

Experts stress clear rationale, broad talks on constitution revision : An analyst says shrinking the scope of proportional representation would make Khas-Arya a more dominant force in Parliament, by Binod Ghimire (kp 07/07/2024) [This is the true face and intention of the ruling male Khas Arya minority (<15% of the population)! Their political leaders strictly reject appropriate social inclusion because they would then lose dominance and privileges in the multi-ethnic, non-patriarchal state. For them, politics is a toy without social responsibility!]

Chhaugoth demolition drive to resume in Achham : Besides demolishing menstrual sheds, local officials and activists will raise public awareness and take legal action against violators, by Menuka Dhungana (kp 04/07/2024)

Budget cut to hit pregnant women, new mums and children in Karnali : Officials say over 30 percent of children under five in Karnali Province are stunted, indicating chronic undernutrition in remote parts of the country, by Arjun Poudel (kp 04/07/2024)

Leaders claim deal near on reduced sentencing for insurgency-era crimesHouse panel members say all contentious issues will be resolved soon (kp 04/07/2024) [The well-founded criticism is not directed against the sentencing of the former perpetrators, some of whom have since been promoted to high-ranking positions, but is primarily about justice for the victims and their families. The potential responsibility of leading personalities on both the Maoist and state side must not be marginalised!]

Civil Society organizations appeal to govt against sending workers to conflict-ridden Israel (rep 03/07/2024)

Report reveals severe exploitation of Nepali workers in Malaysian detention centers, urgent rescue suggested (rep 02/07/2024)

Parties fail to reach agreement on TRC Bill; Meeting continues today (kh 28/06/2024) [Persons who were responsible for the crimes of that time are not qualified to formulate laws that provide justice for the victims of that time and their families!], Major parties resume talks on TRJ Bill amendment (kh 29/06/2024), Political parties resume talks on overdue transitional justice bill revision : On the agenda: Concerns of victims not directly involved, consensus on reduced sentencing (kp 29/06/2024)

Pride Month: Empowering Diversity And Rights, by Jhabindra Bhandari (rn 28/06/2024)

Government dragging feet on torture perpetrators: NHRC. Torture by security forces continues in detention centres and prisons, say National Human Rights Commission and two other rights organisations, by Binod Ghimire (kp 27/06/2024)

Dolpa man, wrongly jailed for nearly a year, released by apex court, by Ram Chandra Neupane (ae 27/06/2024)

NA Session: Lawmakers call for easing process of providing citizenship in mother’s name (kh 27/06/2024)

The cost of free speech : Julian Assange’s ordeal is a reality check of the price one must pay for speaking truth to power (kp 27/06/2024) [Investigative journalists are labelled as criminals when they dutifully expose the crimes of the state and politicians, in the USA as well as in Nepal!]

Heat wave threats: Keeping Nepali communities safe from rising temperatures, by Kriti Bhuju (ae 26/06/2024)

Protecting the right to employment, by Rakshya Singh (ae 26/06/2024)

Old medicine in ne 26/06/2024w bottles : Only an alternative political force under Dalit leadership will end the neglect of Dalit issues, by Mitra Pariyar (kp 25/06/2024)

Yet another term for transitional justice bodies amid uncertainties : Over nine years, their terms have been extended many times without expected results, by Binod Ghimire (kp 23/06/2024) [The persons responsible from the past are in power or in other positions and cover each other. How can we expect justice for the former victims and families?]

NA meeting : Women are unsafe due to Chhaupadi system, lawmakers say (rn 23/06/2024) [The reason is the unchanged patriarchal mindset in state and society!], Investigation’s underway in Accham-Chhaugoth incident: Home Minister Lamichhane (kh 24/06/2024), Home Ministry forms committee to end Chhaupadi tradition (kh 24/06/2024) [All this will be of little use as long as the state, government and parties themselves are firmly anchored in patriarchal high-caste thinking!]

Partisan interest in envoy picks tarnishes Nepal’s image :The government laid out criteria for ambassador appointments in 2019, only to be ignored, by Anil Giri (kp 23/06/2024) [And the overwhelming proportion of male Bahuns, who make up less than six per cent of the population, is once again staggering and demonstrates the absolute unwillingness of high-caste politicians when it comes to social inclusion!]

Low female birth rate poses gender imbalance challenges in Nepal, by Ruby Rauniyar (rep 22/06/2024) [This is a consequence of the patriarchal delusion, also practised in politics, that only males are real Nepalis. The deliberate abortion of female foetuses is a capital offence!]

Rights watchdog seeks progress report on probe into mysterious deaths, disappearance : In 2021, government promised to probe the mysterious deaths of Nankunni Dhobi and Sumarani Tharu, and the 2010 disappearance of Nirmala Kurmi. Families still await justice (kp 22/06/2024)

Experts call for more efforts to end discrimination in citizenship rights : Meanwhile, experts and other participants called for more media coverage on legal identity issue (kp 21/06/2024)

Muskan, Natalia: Symbol Of Hope, Resilience, by Chandani Hamal (rn 21/06/2024)

The issue of inclusion in politics, by Jeetendra Dev (ae 20/06/2024)

Girl raped in menstrual shed in Achham district, police say : Women are dying of asphyxiation or from snakebites. Many girls potential victims of rape in sheds over years, by Menuka Dhungana (kp 20/06/2024) [Why don't men go into cowsheds if they can't stand being in a house with menstruating women? This male arrogance is unbearable and a crime!], National disgrace : Every night a woman has to spend in a chhau shed should count as the death of the conscience of Nepali society (kp 21/06/2024)