The National Human Rights Commission of Nepal (NHRC) has suggested that the government engage in meaningful consultation with relevant stakeholders before finalising any amendments to the country’s polygamy laws.

Issuing a press statement on Wednesday, NHRC Spokesperson Tikaram Pokharel said the issue of polygamy is not only a matter of criminal law but also a serious human rights concern.

The commission warned that hasty or unexamined changes to the legal framework could directly or indirectly encourage the practice, with long-term repercussions on families and society at large.

The NHRC has suggested studying legal practices in other democratic nations and aligning any amendments with Nepal’s commitments under international human rights treaties to which the country is a party.

The commission called on the government to ensure extensive consultation with stakeholders and to take the commission’s input into account when drafting or proposing revisions to legislation that affects the general public.

“Any amendment related to issues of human rights must be approached with caution and broad consensus,” the statement read, adding that laws with widespread social implications require careful consideration beyond legal technicalities.