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Human Rights Day is being celebrated across the world today. Nepal is also marking the Day, organizing various activities across the country.

The Day is observed, commemorating the anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), a seminal document on human rights with landmark resolution. The UDHR was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on December 10, 1948.

The United Nations notes, "UDHR enshrines the inalienable rights that everyone is entitled to as a human being - regardless of race, colour, religion, sex, language, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status."

The theme for this year's Human Rights Day is 'Human Rights, Our Everyday Essentials'. 

UDHR is the most translated document in the world- currently available in 577 languages, from Abkhaz to Zulu, the UN added.

On this occasion, President Ram Chandra Paudel, Vice President Ramsahay Prasad Yadav, Prime Minister Sushila Karki and various political leaders have extended messages.

In the messages, they have reminded Nepal's constitution recognizing various rights and freedoms aligning with the UDHR. Commitment to protection and promotion of human rights is reiterated by them.

Vice President Ram Sahaya Prasad Yadav has said public disenchantment reflected in the September 8-9 Gen Z protest makes it clear that human rights are yet to be guaranteed fully.

Giving a message of best wishes on the occasion of the Human Rights Day today, Vice President Yadav wished the Day inspired all sides to work in unison to ensure equality, justice, freedom of expression, thereby living dignified life.

Active participation and intervention the Gen Zers wanted has reminded them of the urgency of opportunities, transparency and good governance, he said, adding, "Nepal's federal democratic republic system is at work to enforce social justice and human rights." 

Irrespective of the constitutional guarantees, still some sections and communities are waiting desperately for identities and socioeconomic developments, the Vice President argued. He further said violation of human rights is not acceptable in a democratic system, so activities fueling discrimination, injustice and inequality must be curbed.

Concrete initiatives are needed to fully guarantee the rights of education, health and employment to the disabled persons, indigenous ones, Madhesi and Dalit people, the Vice President underscored.

On the occasion of the historic 40th anniversary of the SAARC Charter, the Secretary General Ambassador Md. Golam Sarwar and Madam Taslima Sarwar hosted a Diplomatic Reception in Kathmandu today.

Rt. Hon'ble Ramsahay Prasad Yadav, Vice President of Nepal, graced the function with his presence as the Chief Guest.

The reception was attended by the high dignitaries of Nepal, Ambassadors and Representatives of the Embassies of the Member States, Observer States, Heads of Diplomatic Missions and International Organizations in Kathmandu, representatives of business community and civil society, editors and reporters of media houses and people from all walks of life​​​​​​​.

Heads of States/Governments as well as the Foreign Ministers of SAARC Member States issued dedicatory messages on 08 December 2025 to commemorate this momentous day.

In their special messages, the Heads of State/Government and Ministers of Foreign Affairs have underscored the importance of SAARC as a shared platform to foster mutual understanding, collaboration and solidarity in order to build a peaceful, prosperous and integrated South Asia.

Reaffirming their commitment to the ideals and founding objectives as articulated in the Charter, the Leaders also acknowledged the imperatives of concerted efforts and meaningful action to harness economic potentials, achieve sustained and equitable development, and to address the shared challenges confronting the region bound by history, culture and destiny.

Addressing today’s function, Ambassador Sarwar briefly reflected on the journey SAARC has made so far. With its focus on institutional strengthening and norm setting in priority areas to the implementation of programs in the first forty years, to now aiming for global outreach, SAARC has made tremendous progress in both scope and substance, he said.

It may be mentioned that the Heads of State/Government of seven South Asian countries launched SAARC by adopting its Charter at the First Summit held in Dhaka, Bangladesh on 08 December 1985. Since then, 08 December is observed as the SAARC Charter Day every year across the South Asia.

A right that lives only in writing is not a right at all. Without sincere enforcement, even the finest laws become empty promises. As the world marks Human Rights Day on December 10—commemorating the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) of 1948—it is worth asking: are we genuinely upholding these rights, or merely celebrating them in speeches and documents?

The UDHR, with its 30 articles, protects basic freedoms such as the right to life, liberty, equality, speech and expression. These rights are also guaranteed by Nepal’s 2015 Constitution. However, guaranteeing rights and ensuring people enjoy them,in true and material sense, are two different things.

Rights on Paper

Human rights violations continue around the world. Children, women, and workers still face mistreatment. Even basic rights like clean air and safe public spaces are not fully protected. In Nepal, the Constitution promises dignity for all, but dignity requires respect, equality, and real opportunities.

Developing countries like Nepal often struggle to implement fundamental rights, which increasingly appear dependent on economic capacity. As a result, their enforcement begins to resemble the fate of Directive Principles—lofty aspirations constrained by limited resources.

When states, in practice, start placing fundamental rights and directive principles on the same footing solely because of economic inadequacy, it leads to undemocratic governance and systematic human rights violations. Every individual is entitled to enjoy these rights fully by virtue of being human. It is high time for the states to assume collective responsibility in combating discrimination and safeguarding human rights. After all, the mere enactment of laws carries little value without meaningful enforcement.

Governance Matters

Good governance is essential for protecting rights. Nepal’s Constitution emphasizes rule of law, transparency, inclusion, and welfare. Global thinkers—from Locke to Gandhi—have long linked justice and governance. Nepal’s own history, including Prithvi Narayan Shah’s Dibya Upadesh, stresses fairness and preventing injustice.

The Good Governance (Management and Operation) Act of 2008 is a specific law aimed at promoting good governance by ensuring public administration accountable, transparent, inclusive, and participatory. This Act emphasizes values like the rule of law, corruption-free administration, financial discipline, and efficient public service. Section 17 mandates for the basis and reason to be mentioned in decision. 

Other relevant statutory measures, such as the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority Act (1991), Prevention of Corruption Act (2002), the Public Procurement Act (2007), and the Right to Information Act (2007), further reinforce Nepal’s commitment to ensuring good governance.

The Supreme Court in the case of Gopal Guragain on behalf of Communication Corner Pvt. Ltd. v. Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers, Singhdurbar, Kathmandu (N.K.P., 2067, Vol.1, Decision Number. 8299) held that transparent governance helps reduce corruption, delays, and red tape.

The UN lists eight pillars of good governance, including accountability, participation, and equity. Without these, rights cannot flourish.

Poor Economy 

Many fundamental rights remain unfulfilled because of weak economic conditions. Pollution violates environmental rights. Unemployment pushes thousands of youths abroad for survival. Social inequality, political favoritism, and digital gaps deepen discrimination.

Dr. B.R. Ambedkar famously argued that political democracy cannot survive without economic democracy. Rights become empty promises when the state lacks the resources to enforce them. Perhaps the world needs a new global commitment to support poorer nations in fulfilling human rights obligations.

Way forward 

Education should promote peace, equality, justice, and respect. Legal knowledge alone is not enough; people must learn empathy, fairness, and non-violence.

Human rights should not depend on a country’s wealth. Nor should they remain limited to paper or be treated merely as a topic for university curricula. Instead, they must be taken seriously as a matter that demands genuine, practical implementation. 

It is time for nations to work together to uphold human rights in practice—not just in speeches and documents. Laws have value only when they are implemented, and every person deserves to enjoy their rights fully, simply by being human.

“To deny people their human rights is to challenge their very humanity,” rightly said Nelson Mandela. It’s high time we acknowledged his words and implemented our human rights-friendly laws in true and material sense.  

Authors are faculty members in Law at Manmohan Technical University (MTU), Biratnagar, Nepal