Nepal's New Government Urged to Protect LGBTQ+ Rights
Nepal's new Prime Minister Balendra Shah is being urged to protect human rights, including LGBTQ+ rights. Three major human rights organizations sent him a letter with 13 key recommendations.
Nepal has a new government. Prime Minister Balendra Shah leads it. His party is called the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP). He came to power on March 27, 2026.
Many people in Nepal wanted change. They voted for Shah because of this. Now, human rights groups want him to act. They want him to protect the rights of all people in Nepal.
Three big organizations wrote a letter to Shah. These are Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, and the International Commission of Jurists. They published the letter today.
The letter lists 13 important human rights topics. One of them is LGBTQ+ rights. LGBTQ+ people in Nepal still face discrimination. They need stronger legal protection. The new government can make this happen.
The letter also talks about other groups. These include women and girls, Dalits, and migrants. Dalits are people from lower castes. They often face unfair treatment in Nepal.
The organizations also ask for justice for past crimes. Nepal had a civil war years ago. Many people were hurt. The government still has not fully addressed this.
Freedom of speech is another concern. Journalists and activists sometimes face pressure. The new government should protect their voices too.
The right to housing is also mentioned. Many people in Nepal do not have safe homes. This is a serious problem in cities like Kathmandu.
Human rights groups say this is a key moment. Nepal has a chance to move forward. A strong democracy protects everyone. That includes LGBTQ+ people.
Nepal already made some progress in the past. Same-sex marriage was a topic of public debate. But legal recognition is still not complete. The new government could change this.
Shah's government is new and has public support. Rights groups say now is the right time. They urge the government to act quickly and fairly. All people in Nepal deserve equal rights and dignity.