Levrat calls for donor support in empowering minorities

Kathmandu, Dec. 12

Nepal must close the gap between clear constitutional and legislative provisions and their meaningful implementation to effectively prohibit discrimination against persons belonging to minorities, including Dalits, a United Nations expert said on Friday.

"Minorities' and Dalits' unhindered access to education is the gateway to building skills and confidence, and breaking through cycles of poverty that have prevented them from realising the full enjoyment of their rights and their meaningful contribution to society as a whole," said Nicolas Levrat, the UN Special Rapporteur on minority issues, in a statement at the end of his visit to Nepal.

Speaking at an interaction with journalists, Levrat urged the donor community to efficiently support Nepal in designing and implementing empowering programmes conceived with and for the benefit of persons belonging to minorities.

Presenting preliminary findings of his assessment of the legislation, status of practice in Nepal, he called for a partnership with local authorities who have the means to deliver effective support to minorities and Dalits in the communities where they reside.

In the last 10 days, Levrat conducted meetings with minority stakeholders, communities, government institutions – including federal and provincial ministries, civil society organisations and various commissions and concluded Nepal has effectively implemented international obligations to the human rights of minorities.

According to him, there are no proper standards to measure the relationship or impact of economic-social empowerment on reducing discrimination and creating an equal society.

"There are no clear standards, we are working on them," he said.

"In this period of political transition, it is time to rebuild trust in the Nepali social contract. Minorities and Dalits must feel that they can trust state institutions to protect them, and Nepalese society as a whole must trust that their contributions enrich and uplift society," said Levrat.

According to him, minorities and Dalits must have trust in themselves to advocate for and realise their civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights.

Stating that the situation of Dalits has improved in the last one-and-a-half decades and this is not enough, he underscored the prevalence of intersectional discrimination – women and girls within the minority groups are facing additional discrimination and often are the victims of violence.

He also maintained that the state institutions must better reflect the diversity of Nepali society in their composition and leadership.

"Minorities must be able to recognise themselves in those exercising power. They must feel heard and understood by public servants - including teachers, judges, and the police - in their mother tongue language," he stated. 

The expert expressed profound concern about the high rate of impunity for crimes against Dalits, such as violence linked to inter-caste marriages.

"Access to justice must include well-functioning enforcement mechanisms and sanctions of perpetrators. It will lead to the dismantlement of a system and mindsets that have enabled caste-based violence and discrimination as well as a culture of impunity," said Levrat. 

He warned about the curtailment of religious freedom, through selective use of the anti-conversion provision, leading to discrimination against religious minorities.

He welcomed the draft of a comprehensive anti-discrimination legislation protecting ethnic, religious and linguistic minorities, including those affected by forms of intersectional discrimination such as Dalit women, the Badi community, the Tharu community, minorities belonging to the LGBTQIA+ community, minorities with disabilities, Madhesis, Muslims and Christians, the UN Human Rights said in a news release.

The Special Rapporteur will present a full report to the Human Rights Council in March 2026.

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 13 December 2025.

Gen-Z movement report submitted

Physical damage estimated at Rs. 84 billion

 

Kathmandu, Dec. 11

The committee formed to assess the damage caused by the Gen-Z movement of September 8 and 9 and prepare a reconstruction plan for public infrastructure has submitted its report to Prime Minister Sushila Karki at her office on Thursday.

The committee's chairperson, and Secretary of the National Planning Commission, Rabilal Panth, also presented a summary of the report at the Cabinet meeting held at Singha Durbar also on Thursday.

The government had formed the committee on September 21 with a mandate to submit its report within 75 days.

According to the report, damage occurred across all seven provinces during the Gen-Z movement. A total of 54 districts and 262 local levels were affected by the movement.

It said that 77 people lost their lives - 20 on September 8, 37 on September 9, and 20 more in the days that followed.

Of the 2,429 injured, 17 were children under the age of 13. Additionally, 1,433 people between the ages of 13 and 28 were reported injured.

Regarding overall physical damage, the committee’s assessment estimates the total cost to be Rs. 84.457 billion which is closer to the preliminary estimates. This includes 2,168 affected agencies and 2,671 buildings that suffered damage, valued at Rs. 39.317 billion.

Likewise, 12,659 vehicles were damaged during the protests, leading to a loss of Rs. 1.93 billion.

The damage to the public sector is estimated to be Rs. 44.93 billion, while damage in the private sector has been valued at Rs. 33.54 billion.

The loss in the community and other sectors is estimated at Rs. 5.97.

Of the total government damage, the federal government accounts for 68 per cent, while the provincial and local levels bear 10 per cent and 22 per cent, respectively.

The committee has also proposed a reconstruction plan. It is estimated that a budget of Rs. 36.30 billion will be required for the reconstruction efforts.

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 12 December 2025.

Speeches do not feed people: PM

Kathmandu, Dec. 11

A delegation from the Jai Matrubhumi Party submitted a memorandum to Prime Minister Sushila Karki on Thursday, stating that the government should focus on the core agenda of good governance rather than solely preparing for elections.

The delegation included senior party leaders, Captain KB Limbu, Co-chairman Ram Sharan Pandey, and General Secretary Govind Giri, among others.

The party also demanded that swift action be taken against the oppressors and corrupt individuals involved in the Gen-Z movement to create a conducive environment for the election.

The party’s main demand is that the government, whose core issue is tackling corruption, should continue to focus on this and take appropriate action.

During the meeting, Prime Minister Karki suggested that the party should enter the elections with its own agenda. She stated that actions against corruption are being carried out concurrently, informed the PM’s secretariat.

She noted that those involved in politics tend to make speeches, but we need a party that will work towards putting production at the centre of the national agenda.

“There are many parties that merely express their opinions, but none have worked on focusing on jobs and employment. This is why the country's economic situation has weakened. There are no employment opportunities in the country, forcing people to migrate abroad,” she said while adding, “It has created disillusionment among the youth. So, let us work in such a way that no such protests are needed in the future.”

According to her, the leaders are only making speeches. But speeches do not feed people. “Therefore, you should also go to the elections. Elect MPs who are committed to doing good work for the economic prosperity and good governance of the country. It is the individual efforts of each person that will lead the country to good governance and prosperity,” she said.

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 12 December 2025.

Minister Kharel stresses on quality education

Kathmandu, Dec. 11

Minister for Communications and Information Technology Jagdish Kharel said that all stakeholders must be serious about ensuring quality education for every child.

“There is nothing greater in this world than education as it is the light that dispels darkness. Let us all wish that the children who are still deprived of education today can go to school and study well,” he said while inaugurating Kitab Jatra (a book fair) in Kathmandu on Thursday.

According to him, everyone’s access to education must be expanded to build an educated Nepal.

Minister Kharel mentioned that the government is committed to holding the elections within the stipulated time and is working to maintain good governance and control corruption in line with the spirit of the Gen-Z movement.

“We have joined the government at a sensitive time. The responsibility to lead the nation along a path of transformation rests on all our shoulders, so let us all work together to achieve this,” he said.

Director of Kitab Jatra, Rishi Raj Adhikari, said that the event has been organised to develop a reading culture and raise public awareness about education. According to the organisers, the two-day event includes a book exhibition as well as various academic sessions.

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 12 December 2025.

47 Nepalis rescued from Myanmar, repatriated to Kathmandu

Kathmandu, Dec. 10

A total of 47 Nepali citizens who had been lured to Myanmar through false employment promises and forced to work in illegal online scamming centres have been rescued and repatriated to Nepal.

The rescue operation was carried out by the Embassy of Nepal in Bangkok with the support and coordination of relevant Thai authorities. The group arrived in Kathmandu on Wednesday on a Nepal Airlines flight.

The Embassy informed in a statement that the rescued individuals are from 26 districts and included 45 men and 2 women.

The duration of their forced employment in the scamming centres ranges from two months to 18 months.

Those repatriated comprised one individual each from Chitwan, Dailekh, Kaski, Kathmandu, Kavre, Palpa, Ramechhap, Rautahat, Salyan, Sarlahi, Sindhuli, Taplejung and Tehrathum; two each from Dang, Mahottari, Morang, Nawalparasi, Nuwakot, Syangja and Tanahun; three each from Dhading, Gorkha, Rupandehi, Sindhupalchok and Udaypur; and five from Jhapa.

"The age group of the rescued ranged widely, including one 17-year-old, 26 individuals aged between 20 and 25, ten aged between 26 and 30, eight aged between 31 and 35, and two individuals aged 40 and 41, respectively," read the statement.

Most had completed 10+2 level education and several had backgrounds in information technology.

The Embassy reported that the victims had been recruited through various channels, including friends, acquaintances, online gaming partners, and social media advertisements.

Interestingly, some had been contacted while studying in India or working abroad in countries such as the UAE. Platforms such as WhatsApp, Viber, Messenger, TikTok and Telegram were commonly used to make job offers, often promising attractive hourly wages in Kathmandu.

"After initial communication, they were persuaded with claims of high-salary opportunities abroad in office work, call centres, computer operation or receptionist roles, leading them eventually to centres operating illegal online dating, casino, gaming, phishing and cryptocurrency scams," according to the Embassy.

The rescued individuals said that once inside these scamming networks, they were initially treated well, but later subjected to pressure through strict performance targets. Failure to meet these targets resulted in accusations of other crimes, severe financial penalties, physical abuse, confinement, extortion, threats of imprisonment, or even violence.

Some were held hostage until they brought in another recruit to replace them.

 

141 rescued this year

In recent years, citizens of Nepal and several other countries have become stranded in scamming hubs located along the Cambodia–Thailand border, Myanmar–Thailand border, and in Laos.

In response, the Nepali Embassy in Bangkok began issuing travel advisories from August 23, warning Nepali people against travelling to these regions for unverified employment. But Nepali youth are turning deaf ears to such advisories and fallen prey to the scammer schemes that promise foreign employment with high income.

The Embassy has since been working with Thai authorities to rescue Nepalis identified as victims of human trafficking. According to official data, 68 Nepalis were rescued in Fiscal Year 2023/24, 156 in FY 2024/25 and 141 in the current FY 2025/26 so far.

 

Cooperation with Thai government

According to the Embassy, the latest rescue was carried out under the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) introduced by the Thai government to facilitate the repatriation of foreign nationals stranded in Myawaddy, Myanmar.

The SOP involves coordination between Myanmar’s military or police authorities, Myanmar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and local Thai immigration offices. The Embassy verifies travel documents and issues one-way permits where necessary before arranging repatriation.

It said that the rescued individuals underwent basic health checks, screening for human-trafficking indicators, immigration procedures and baggage inspections before being flown to Nepal.

The Thai government has requested that Nepal investigate the cases fully to identify and prosecute the actual perpetrators behind the trafficking networks.

Suspecting that some returnees may have acted as victims or intermediaries within the trafficking chain, the Embassy has also urged authorities to conduct necessary inquiries.

Meanwhile, the Embassy has once again appealed to Nepali citizens to avoid rushing abroad under dubious employment offers, to verify job claims made through social media or acquaintances, and to seek foreign employment only through official government channels.

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 11 December 2025.

Swedeshi Bazaar being held on Saturday

Kathmandu, Dec. 10

The Make in Nepal – Swadeshi Campaign, operated in collaboration between the Confederation of Nepalese Industries (CNI) and the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies (MoICS), is organising Swadeshi Bazaar 2025 with the support and coordination of the Department of Industry.

The one-day exhibition, scheduled for Saturday, December 13 at the International Club in Sanepa, Lalitpur, aims to promote quality Nepali products under the theme 'Made in Nepal – Nepal’s Identity'.

The event intends to enhance the capacity of domestic industries and enterprises, promote Nepali production, and support local producers in expanding market access, the CNI informed in a statement on Wednesday.

To promote small, medium and cottage industries, the exhibition will provide stalls free of charge and free entry to the general public. More than 3,000 visitors are expected to participate.

Around 40–50 industries and enterprises will take part in the exhibition, representing sectors including agriculture and agro-technology, food and processed goods, textiles and clothing, handicrafts and arts, ayurvedic and health-related products, decorative items, tea and beverages, and various manufacturing industries.

"Through this platform, participating industries will showcase their products and services publicly, interact directly with consumers, and engage in networking programmes with potential buyers, distributors, business partners and stakeholders," read the statement.

CNI President Birendra Raj Pandey expressed confidence that Swadeshi Bazaar 2025 will highlight the identity of Nepali industry, skills, innovation and entrepreneurship at the national level, and contribute to strengthening the national economy by promoting the consumption of domestic products.

With the government adopting a policy to promote domestic products and industries, the event is expected to boost the morale of Nepali industrialists, said the organisers. 

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 11 December 2025.

Govt, customs agents agree to put off strike

Kathmandu, Dec. 10

The government and the customs clearance agents have reached an agreement, bringing all customs offices across the country back into regular operation from Wednesday.

The Customs Agents Association had announced a nationwide pen-down strike on Tuesday, expressing objections to certain provisions in the newly enforced Customs Act 2082. As a result, customs offices were unable to process import and export cargo throughout the day.

Existing laws allow exporters and importers to appoint authorised representatives for customs clearance. However, the Association argued that the new Act had weakened the authority of customs agents and created difficulties for legitimate trade.

It also objected to the provision of heavy penalties for minor human errors committed during electronic data entry.

According to Association's President Prachin Kumar Thaiba, the protest was withdrawn after the Department of Customs (DoC) clarified that unintentional human errors made during the electronic entry of goods declarations would not incur penalties.

"The department had also committed to facilitating certain provisions of the Act through regulations, allowing clearance work to resume immediately," he added.

The DoC issued a statement on Wednesday, noting that it would gradually implement improvements related to the Association’s demands that fall within the department’s jurisdiction. It also stated that appropriate issues requiring amendments through regulations would be forwarded to the Ministry of Finance for consideration.

The halt in customs clearance had resulted in long queues of cargo trucks at customs points, with Indian media reporting that the disruption was beginning to affect markets on the Indian side of the border as well.

The Customs Act 2082, certified in September this year, came into effect on December 4.

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 11 December 2025.