Urgent Need for National Human Rights Commission Reforms

The interim government is being urged to urgently reform the National Human Rights Commission to ensure it is independent and capable of holding all security forces accountable. Strengthening this institution through international standards and transparent leadership is essential for restoring public trust and protecting citizens' rights.

There is growing concern regarding the government's delay in taking essential steps to protect human rights. A major priority is the immediate reorganization of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC). Advocates are calling for changes to the NHRC Act to make the organization truly independent, giving it the power to hold both civil and military security forces accountable for their actions. Furthermore, there are continued calls to address the history of enforced disappearances and other serious allegations involving specialized security units.

Aligning with Global Standards

The United Nations has recently recommended that the laws governing the NHRC be updated to match the "Paris Principles." These are international standards that ensure national human rights groups have a broad mandate, remain independent from the government, and include diverse voices. Following these guidelines is seen as the best way to restore public trust in the commission, which has been criticized in the past for being too weak to protect the rights of regular citizens.

Moving from Drafts to Action

While the interim government has reportedly prepared a draft ordinance that follows international standards, there is a strong push for this to be officially enacted soon. It is vital that these reforms are put in place well before any upcoming elections. International experts also suggest that the process of appointing commission members must be transparent and involve active participation from civil society and other community leaders.

Learning from Past Failures

When the NHRC was first established in 2008, it was a response to rising human rights concerns. However, over time, the institution was weakened and often used as a placement for retired government officials rather than a bold advocate for justice. To avoid repeating these mistakes, the new commission must have the authority to investigate allegations against all branches of security, including intelligence agencies, which have often avoided such oversight in the past.

Ensuring Independence and Proper Resources

For the NHRC to be effective, it needs more than just new rules; it requires adequate funding and enough staff to carry out its duties. Without these resources, any changes to the law will only be cosmetic. To truly uphold the rule of law and democracy, the commission must be equipped to work impartially and independently, ensuring that no human rights violation goes uninvestigated.