Judiciary Strengthens Capacity to Address Business and Human Rights Cases in Nepal

Policies & Agreements

Home
Policies & Agreements
Judiciary Strengthens Capacity to Address Business and Human Rights Cases in Nepal

Judiciary Strengthens Capacity to Address Business and Human Rights Cases in Nepal

Ecosphere News Desk 2026-04-18 17:31:13

Kathmandu, April 18 - A judicial workshop held in Nepal today brought together around 40 judges to enhance their capacity in handling complex cases at the intersection of business activities and human rights. The event was jointly organized by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and the Judges Society Nepal, with support from the Government of Sweden.
The workshop focused on strengthening judicial understanding and response to business-related human rights violations, an emerging and increasingly critical area within Nepal’s legal landscape. Participants exchanged practical experiences and explored mechanisms to ensure effective remedies for individuals and communities most at risk.
Addressing the event, Acting Chief Justice Sapana Pradhan Malla emphasized that Nepal’s Constitution already provides a clear mandate for the judiciary to ensure accountability in business-related cases. She noted that the current challenge lies in defining the conditions under which both state and private actors can be held accountable for human rights impacts.
Similarly, Julien Chevillard, Deputy Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), underscored the importance of a responsive judiciary in fostering inclusive and rights-based economic development. He reaffirmed UNDP’s commitment to supporting Nepal’s judiciary in strengthening accountability mechanisms and maintaining public trust.
With courts increasingly encountering cases that involve corporate responsibility, labor rights, environmental concerns, and community impacts, the judiciary’s role is becoming more central in ensuring timely and fair remedies.
This evolving priority aligns with Nepal’s National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights (2023), which highlights the need to improve access to justice, particularly for workers, women, and other vulnerable groups.
The workshop marks a step forward in equipping Nepal’s judiciary to address complex legal challenges arising from the intersection of economic development and human rights protection.
#EcosphereNews #NepalJudiciary #HumanRights #BusinessAndHumanRights #AccessToJustice #SustainableDevelopment #OHCHR #UNDP #JudicialReform #InclusiveGrowth