AIPP Congratulates LAHURNIP on Receiving the 2025 Human Rights & Business Award

The Asia Indigenous Peoples Pact (AIPP) extends our warmest congratulations to the Lawyers’ Association for Human Rights of Nepalese Indigenous Peoples (LAHURNIP) for being named the 2025 recipient of the Human Rights and Business Award. This honor is a powerful testament to your unwavering commitment, courage, and leadership in defending Indigenous Peoples’ rights, including Indigenous Women, Indigenous Youth, and Indigenous Persons with Disabilities in the face of expanding business interests, development pressures, and climate challenges.

For years, LAHURNIP has been at the forefront of defending Indigenous Peoples’ lands, territories, resources, and cultural integrity in Nepal. Your work has ensured that Indigenous communities are not only shielded from exploitation but also empowered to assert their rights, exercise self-determination, and participate meaningfully in decisions that affect their lives. Your steadfast advocacy for land rights, Free, Prior, and Informed Consent, and social justice reflects the highest standards of human rights work.

This award acknowledges the transformative impact of your community organizing, legal empowerment, and solidarity with Indigenous communities affected by business operations. It also highlights your commitment to amplifying Indigenous voices at all levels.

For AIPP, this achievement is both an organizational milestone and a collective victory for Indigenous Peoples across Asia. Your leadership reinforces the principle that business and human rights cannot advance without full respect for Indigenous Peoples’ rights, inclusive participation, and the protection of their identities as distinct peoples. Your recognition will undoubtedly inspire current and future IP human rights defenders to continue the struggle for justice, equality, and dignity.

Collective discussion with Indigenous communities affected by the Hewa Hydropower project. (Photo courtesy of LAHURNIP)

LAHURNIP has long served as an IPHRD country focal organization within the Asia IPHRDs Network, working closely with AIPP’s Human Rights Campaign and Policy Advocacy Programme. Last year, AIPP recognized LAHURNIP as one of the pioneering Centers of Defenders (CoDs), alongside the Kapaeeng Foundation in Bangladesh, for its courageous leadership, steadfast defense of Indigenous communities, strong interventions against the criminalization of defenders, and enduring contributions to advancing Indigenous self-determination, justice, dignity, and equitable peace.

Magar Indigenous community of Dungeshor Ward No. 1 taking part in local development discussions. (Photo courtesy of LAHURNIP)

AIPP stands in solidarity with LAHURNIP and reaffirms our commitment to supporting your efforts to promote responsible business conduct, protect Indigenous territories, and strengthen community resilience amid global uncertainties. We look forward to continued collaboration toward a future where Indigenous Peoples’ rights are fully recognized, protected, and upheld.

Once again, congratulations on this well-deserved honor. May this award further amplify your work and open new pathways for advancing Indigenous Peoples’ rights in Nepal and across Asia.

In solidarity,

Beverly L. Longid
Chairperson, AIPP
26 November 2025

Click here to download full congratulatory statement