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Political and social risks are also present. Civil society members are often labeled as foreign
agents, which can threaten their security and reputations. There is limited political will to amend
discriminatory laws, and the media frequently frames citizenship as a political rather than a
human rights issue, which undermines public support.
Gender discrimination (patriarchy) permeates society, politics, and the media. The deeply
patriarchal mindset not only affects public attitudes but also influences policymakers, making
progress slow and risky for those advocating for change.
In short, the risks we face are interconnected: legal restrictions, public hostility, political resistance,
financial scarcity, media opposition, and entrenched social discrimination all combine to make working
on citizenship and statelessness extremely challenging.
8. Do you think international standards on human rights (as contained in Universal Declaration on
Human Rights, ICCPR, ICESCR, HRD Declaration, etc.) are still relevant? Please give a reason for your
answer.
International human rights standards such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), ICCPR,
ICESCR, and CEDAW remain highly relevant, particularly as guiding frameworks that affirm universal
gender equality and the right to nationality. However, mere ratification by states like Nepal is insufficient
unless accompanied by genuine political will and transparent, meaningful engagement in implementation.
For rights affected by gender-discriminatory laws, these standards provide a crucial benchmark for
advocacy, accountability, and law reform. CAPN’s experience shows that community-led approaches
aligned with these standards and principles provide culturally relevant and effective pathways towards
realizing these rights.
9. Do you think the international human rights mechanisms (for example, UN Treaty Bodies, UN Special
Procedures, the UN Human Rights Council, the UPR, the Inter-American Commission and Court on
Human Rights, the European Court on Human Rights, the African Commission and Court on Human and
Peoples’ Rights) are effective in protecting the work of human rights defenders? If yes, please explain
why. If no, please state what you believe may be a more effective way to protect human rights
defenders?
International mechanisms offer important platforms for elevating human rights defenders’ concerns,
documenting violations, and pressuring governments for reform. However, their effectiveness depends
on the state’s willingness to respond and engage, which remains limited in Nepal’s context regarding
citizenship and statelessness. These mechanisms often produce symbolic compliance without substantive
change. Therefore, effectiveness is enhanced when they are complemented by locally grounded,
community-led initiatives like CAPN, which embody intersectional inclusion, cultural relevancy, and
sustained grassroots advocacy, supported by international solidarity and capacity-building networks.
10. Do you find the international human rights mechanisms, as outlined above, easy to access? Please
give reasons for your answers.
International human rights mechanisms are challenging to navigate and access for many civil society
organizations, especially emerging CSOs that are led by affected individuals, like CAPN. Resource
constraints, limited technical expertise, and political sensitivities around nationality issues have been
some of the barriers in fully engaging or accessing international human rights mechanisms. CAPN bridges
these gaps through strategic partnerships with legal experts, networks, and capacity-building support
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