The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has asked the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) to provide detailed information without delay over reports that it granted party membership to children under the age of 18.

In a letter made public on Wednesday, the commission stated that it had sought clarification based on information received and reports published in various media outlets, which alleged that the party had enrolled minors as members.

The commission said it had taken serious note of reports that children had been enrolled as party members. It added that if the report presented at the party’s general convention, which reportedly states that membership was distributed to children under the age of 18, is accurate, such an act would be contrary to Nepal’s prevailing laws and the country’s international commitments.

The commission has therefore requested the RSP to provide detailed information at the earliest on whether party membership was issued to individuals under the age of 18, in accordance with Section 21(1) of the National Human Rights Commission Act, 2012.