Nepal: Expanding Human Rights Education

World Educational Tour 2004 in Nepal

Nepal the "Rooftop of the World," is known for the Himalayan Mountains, particularly Mt. Everest, the tallest point on Earth. Home to 30 million people, Nepal is also the birthplace of Buddha. It was in the capital city, Katmandu, that the 2004 Youth for Human Rights World Educational Tour launched a grassroots movement that has been infusing human rights education through the entire country ever since.

The purpose of Youth for Human Rights International (YHRI) is to teach youth about human rights, specifically the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and inspire them to become advocates for tolerance and peace.

YHR Nepal includes different teams that reach into their respective communities to promote human rights by holding workshops, organizing community events and training government personnel.

YHR Nepal team at Emmunial Higher Secondary School

YHR Nepal began with dozens of workshops to people of all ages, in schools, colleges, at temples and in the community.

Their 2014 road tour traveled thousands of miles to 10 urban districts and rural areas in Nepal. YHR Nepal also collaborated with the Village Development Committee, part of the local government system in Nepal, to provide seminars focused on the needs of the local people.

YHR Nepal Binod Sharma and Rahul K.C., providing a seminar to Village Development Committees in the villages of Hathusa and Jhaptar

The volunteers teamed up with existing human rights groups, contributing their efforts to local programs including blood drives on World Blood Day, training members of the Election Observer (responsible for ensuring fair elections), feeding the hungry and poor as part of the "Curry without Worry" project.

YHR Nepal held community events, with thousands participating: 3,000 people participated in a walk for "No to Child Labour in Domestic Work", 800 women participated in a walk on International Woman's Day, 800 people walked on International Human Rights Day, and 150 people participated in a human rights walk during Bisket Jatra (Nepali New Year).

They also provided human rights education to the Armed Police Force (APF), a paramilitary force tasked with counterinsurgency operations in Nepal.

After delivering several seminars at APF bases around the country, YHR Nepal was invited to give a seminar to 600 participants at APF Headquarters, after which they met with the Deputy Superintendent, a representative of the Human Rights Cell of the APF.

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The Deputy Superintendent asked for YHRI booklets for all his men so they can learn more about human rights, and carry them with them during training and while on missions.

Later, YHR Nepal President Rahul KC met with former Prime Minister Puspa Kamal Dahal Prachanda and presented him with copies of the YHRI materials.

At the 11th annual International Human Rights Summit in Brussels September 5th, 2014, YHR Nepal was honored with the Human Rights Hero award for their dedication and hard work in promoting human rights.

Congratulations to YHR Nepal for expanding Human Rights Education in Nepal!