Parliamentary Committee Directs Ensuring Human Rights of Homeless Individuals in Holding Centers

The Law, Justice and Human Rights Committee has directed the government to ensure the fundamental human rights of homeless individuals residing in holding centers. Committee Chairperson Samiksha Banskota instructed the government to arrange for the education of children and the nutrition and medical treatment of vulnerable groups. The committee has urged the government to conduct an accurate classification of the actual homeless population, proceed with permanent resettlement, and advance necessary legislative processes. Kathmandu, May 24.

The parliamentary committee has directed the government to guarantee the basic human rights of homeless and unstructured residents staying in holding centers. In a meeting held on Monday at Singha Durbar, under the House of Representatives, the Law, Justice and Human Rights Committee instructed the government to take immediate and effective measures to ensure essential needs such as food, shelter, education, and health.

Committee Chairperson Samiksha Banskota emphasized the importance of preventing interruptions to the education of children and youth, and directed the government to provide nutritional support and medical care for sensitive groups including senior citizens, women, pregnant women, and new mothers. Chairperson Banskota also instructed arrangements to transfer employed individuals to locations near their workplaces.

The committee has called on the government to expedite objective classification and verification processes of actual homeless individuals and unorganized residents, ensure constitutionally guaranteed fundamental rights and human rights through permanent resettlement and long-term management. Furthermore, the committee directed the government to enact necessary laws and acts to resolve homelessness issues and immediately initiate amendments to existing laws if required.