Human rights activist Tek Nath Baral, who was based in Pokhara, passed away on Tuesday at the age of 85. Baral dedicated over five decades of his life to the cause of human rights and social justice.

He was a founding member of the Civil Society Network in Kaski, established during the period of insurgency. Baral was a staunch campaigner against various societal issues including violence against women, the dowry system, social injustices, and inequalities.

During the insurgency, Baral played a pivotal role in securing the rights of those affected by the conflict, and he was actively involved in monitoring human rights violations at that time.

In recognition of his unwavering commitment, he was honored with the Prakash Human Rights Prize by the Informal Service Centre (INSEC) in 2062 BS. This award was established in memory of the late Prakash Kafle, the founding general secretary of INSEC.

In response to Baral’s passing, INSEC expressed its deep sorrow and Chairman Dr. Kundal Aryal issued a press statement affirming that Tek Nath Baral’s exceptional contributions to human rights would be fondly remembered by all Nepalese.

With inputs from RSS