An annual report prepared by the United States Department of State has presented a bleak picture of serious human rights situation in Nepal.
The Country Report on Human Rights Practices for 2015 observed that there were serious problems in Nepal regarding implementation of principles of human rights.
The most significant human rights problems included the alleged use of excessive force by security personnel in controlling protests related to the finalisation of the new Constitution, especially in the Tarai region, reports The Himalayan Times.
Likewise, it pointed out that discrimination against women was a persistent problem and the new Constitution also contained provisions that discriminate by gender.
The continued absence of a permanent Constitution and the further delay of functioning transitional justice, the lack of accountability, violations during the country's 10-year insurgency led to the humanitarian law violations.
The other human rights problems included poor prison and detention center conditions and police mistreatment of detainees.
The courts remained vulnerable to political pressure, bribery and intimidation. There were problems of harassment of media and press self-censorship.
The government sometimes restricted freedom of assembly, notably in areas where violent protests against the constitutional process were taking place from August through the end of the year.
The government also limited freedoms for refugees, particularly for resident Tibetans.
Violence against children, including reported abuse at orphanages, continued.
Sex trafficking of adults and minors remained a significant problem. Discrimination against persons with disabilities, lower-caste individuals and some ethnic groups continued as did some harassment against gender and sexual minorities.
The report, however, maintained that the government routinely investigated and held officials and security forces accused of committing ongoing violations of the law accountable.
