The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) of Nepal has initiated a consultation process to assess the implementation of the Right to Information Act, 2064, seeking recommendations from local governments regarding the law’s effectiveness and the challenges encountered during its enforcement. In a letter dated Bhadra 25, 2083 BS, the commission requested the Ministry of Land Management, Cooperatives, Federal Affairs and General Administration to coordinate with local governments and collect their observations. The ministry subsequently issued a circular on Ashoj 15, 2083 BS, forwarding the commission’s request to all municipalities and rural municipalities for necessary action. The initiative aims to identify legal, policy-related, institutional and practical issues affecting the implementation of citizens’ right to information.
According to the commission, its review is being conducted under its constitutional and statutory mandate to monitor human rights and recommend improvements in laws, policies and administrative practices. The NHRC has requested information on problems, challenges, practical experiences and areas requiring improvement in implementing the Right to Information Act. The commission emphasized that local governments have responsibilities in implementing the law and that their experiences are essential for understanding difficulties arising at the administrative level. The consultation is intended to gather evidence-based recommendations that can support improvements to the existing legal and institutional framework.
The commission has specifically asked local authorities to provide suggestions on legal amendments, policy improvements and institutional reforms that could make the Right to Information Act more effective. It also seeks information about obstacles encountered while implementing the legislation and measures that could improve access to public information. The NHRC has requested the concerned ministry to facilitate the collection of responses from local governments and ensure that relevant information is forwarded for its review. The ministry’s circular instructs municipalities and rural municipalities to examine the attached correspondence and take appropriate action, while its Information Technology Section has been asked to publish the communication on the official website.
The consultation represents an effort to strengthen the implementation of Nepal’s right-to-information framework through cooperation between the National Human Rights Commission, federal ministries and local governments. By collecting practical experiences and recommendations, the commission seeks to identify shortcomings and potential reforms that could improve the accessibility of government information and strengthen public accountability. The documents do not announce amendments to the Right to Information Act or establish new disclosure requirements; rather, they request institutional feedback to inform the commission’s assessment and future recommendations.
