1.       Short Title and Commencement: 

(1)      This Act may be called “The Human Rights Commission Act, 2053 (1997)”.

(2)      This Act shall come into force at once.

2.       Definitions:

        In this Act, unless the subject or context otherwise requires:

(a)      “Commission” means the National Human Rights Commission constituted under Section 3.

(b)      “Constitution” means the Constitution of the Kingdom of Nepal, 2047 (1990).

(c)      “Chairperson” means the Chairperson of the Commission and this term also includes the Member of the Commission who acts as an Acting Chairperson pursuant to Section 20.

(d)      “Member” means the Member of the Commission and this term also includes the Chairperson.

(e)      “Secretary” means the Secretary of the Commission.

(f)       “Human Rights” means the rights relating to life, liberty, equality and dignity of the individual guaranteed by the Constitution and other prevailing laws and such other rights as are embodied in the international treaties relating to human rights to which Nepal is a party.

(g)      “Prescribed” or “As prescribed” means prescribed or as prescribed in the Rules framed under this Act.