30 December 2021, Banke: On 30 December 2021, Advocacy Forum- Nepal (AF) organized a consultation meeting with stakeholders of criminal justice system in Banke. The consultation was organized to have rigorous discussion among stakeholders in implementing principles of human rights in administering justice and the role it plays in strengthening overall criminal justice system. Judges from High Court Tulsipur, Nepalgunj Bench, District Court, Banke, advocates and representatives from District Administration Office, Banke, Child Correction Home, Banke, Nepal Bar Association, Nepalgunj High Court Bar Association, District Government Attorney’s Office, Banke and District Police Office, Banke among others attended the program.
Welcoming the participants, AF lawyer Basanta Gautam shed light on the objectives of the consultation. Gautam further briefed on the existing challenges in the administration of criminal justice system. He explained continued illegal detentions, torture, lack of access of detainees to legal representation, lack of proper infrastructure and facilities in detention centers and correction homes as major obstacles.
Presenting a concept note relating to criminal justice system in Nepal, Honorable Judge Dr. Ratna Bahadur Bagchand stated that all the concerned stakeholders of criminal justice- police officials, public prosecutors, defense lawyers and judiciary- should follow the principles and international standards of human rights in their respective field of work. He also highlighted the widely accepted principles of criminal justice and stressed that all the concerned stakeholders should be sensitive towards those principles.
During the discussion session, the participants collectively expressed that the principles of criminal justice should be fully implemented and basic rights of detainees, prisoners and juveniles should be ensured. Some of the issues pointed out by the participants regarding criminal justice are illegal detentions, quasi-judicial bodies handing the cases beyond their jurisdiction among others. To overcome such challenges the participants provided suggestions as well. To name a few, they opined that an scientific and independent investigation team should be formed, counseling rooms should be maintained at the detention centers and court and timely implementation of court decisions should be carried out.
The program ended with the participants suggesting to share the outcomes of AF’s work related to criminal justice system. It was decided that such programs will be conducted in timely manner.
AF has been actively engaged in bringing about reforms in criminal justice system in Nepal and working towards upholding principles of human rights in criminal justice system.
