September 26: The Supreme Court has issued a show cause notice against the government over the issue of forced labour. Responding to a writ petition filed by Advocate Puroshottam Prajapati, a single bench of Justice Ishwar Prasad Khatiwada instructed the Government of Nepal and the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers to show cause for the forced labour prevalent in the country.

Various data prepared by the government and NGOs suggest that around 55,000 people are working as forced labourers in the country.

Senior Advocate Narayan Prasai and Advocate Som Luitel pleaded on behalf of the petitioners on Sunday. The apex court has asked the government to show cause within 15 days.

Human rights activists have been demanding an end to forced labour. Although the international laws have addressed this issue, Nepal is yet to implement its commitment made in international forums.

Nepal is a signatory to the Forced Labour Convention, 1930; Abolition of Forced Labour Convention, 1957; and the Convention to Suppress the Slave Trade and Slavery 1926.

The Government of Nepal is responsible to implement the international treaties.