Oli, Lekhak and Gurung challenge NHRC report, demand basis for prosecution recommendations

Nepal's National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) faces challenges from former officials, including ex-Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, who dispute its report on the Gen Z movement of September 8-9 last year. The commission had recommended prosecution, citing serious human rights violations and suggesting the enactment of retroactive laws.

Oli, along with former home minister Ramesh Lekhak and communications minister Prithvi Subba Gurung, has personally filed applications with the NHRC. They are invoking the Right to Information Act to demand the evidentiary basis and reasoning behind the recommendations made against them. Oli's application, filed on July 9, argues that the commission's recommendations are biased, unconstitutional, and inconsistent with human rights norms.

These leaders are questioning the integrity of the NHRC's report, which also implicated Rastriya Swatantra Party Chairman Rabi Lamichhane and several other lawmakers. They have also taken their concerns to the Supreme Court. The applications highlight that previously requested documents were not fully provided and seek certified copies of the probe committee's report and the commission's decisions regarding its acceptance or modification.

Lekhak and Gurung also submitted applications in June, seeking comprehensive details about the grounds for the commission labeling them as human rights violators. Gurung specifically requested the investigation report after media outlets reported his alleged blame for the incident. The NHRC is preparing its response but has indicated it will not disclose the full details of its findings.