Taking the Kathmandu Declaration from National Conference on HRDs to the NHRC!

Aug 20, 2026

Taking the Kathmandu Declaration to the NHRC!

From collective voices to concrete action!

On August 20, Digital Rights Nepal (DRN), together with Collective Campaign for Peace(COCAP) and other collaborating organisations, formally submitted the Kathmandu Declaration 2026 to Hon. Top Bahadur Magar, Chairperson of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC).

The Declaration represents the collective voice of participants of the National Conference on Human Rights Defenders, held on June 21–22 by 14 organisations under the theme “Strengthening Protection, Solidarity and Justice: From Grassroots to Policy.”

Developed by the Conference’s Declaration Committee, with DRN as a member, the Declaration puts forward key concerns and recommendations on:

Protection and safety of Human Rights Defenders

Recognition and support for HRDs

Protection of civic space

Strengthening human rights and fundamental freedoms

Meaningful action by relevant stakeholders

The submission to the NHRC marks an important step in taking the concerns and demands of HRDs from the conference room to the institutions responsible for protecting human rights.

Now, the call is clear: listen, recognise, protect and act.