Experts Suggest Focusing on Community Rights and Representation in Intangible Cultural Heritage Bill

Kathmandu. In the meeting of the International Relations and Tourism Committee under the House of Representatives, experts have suggested focusing on the community's legal expectations, constitutional rights, and representation of indigenous peoples in the bill related to the protection of intangible cultural heritage. The meeting held in Singh Durbar on Friday emphasized the need to further enrich the bill by seriously studying international laws and treaties related to intangible heritage.

During the discussion, advocate and expert Bhim Nepal stated that the legal assurance of the citizen's right to practice their religion, culture, and traditions as guaranteed by the constitution must be ensured. He pointed out that there is still a lack of laws related to cultural heritage guaranteed by the constitution in the country. Highlighting the priority of bill construction, advocate Nepal said, 'The constitutional right to practice one's religion, culture, and traditions must be legally secured. There is also a responsibility to ensure the constitutional provision that discrimination, exploitation, and injustice based on religion, culture, customs, traditions, and practices are not allowed in the state's policy-making principles.' He further added, 'In the context of cultural preservation, the community's legal expectations are paramount. If we can do this, it can help in the preservation of intangible culture. This must be kept at the center during the bill construction.'