As far as the HRC in Nepal is concerned, we have to be serious on what and how we are going to protect human rights and to what extent. In Nepal, with the restoration of democracy, the principal political foes of human rights appear to have been crushed, at least in principle, and the very notion of human rights seems sovereign. However, the reality of a poor national economy, an ever increasing population, a multiplicity of need-based claims, declining standards of governmental accountability, etc., make the job of the HRC very arduous. Death and disease apart, absolute poverty manifests itself through miserable conditions of life with inadequate food, shelter, clothing, sanitation, health services and education. Together with these issues, an active assimilation of human rights may undermine our cultures.
Cultural rupture is often a necessary aspect of the entrenchment of respect for human rights.
Culture is not of absolute ethical value, however. If certain aspects of particular cultures change because citizens prefer to focus on human rights, then this is a perfectly acceptable price to pay. Nevertheless, the cultural transition is not always easy. The HRC will have to make the government determined to advance initiatives to address several long-standing ethnic issues in the country with a view to addressing the challenges of a cultural transition. It has to affirm that an integrated approach towards the promotion of an inclusive, tolerant, intercultural society is necessary.