Awards and Honors

LAHURNIP has been named the 2025 Human Rights and Business Award recipient by the Business and Human Rights Award Foundation, recognizing its outstanding work in defending Indigenous Peoples’ rights affected by business activities.

The award honors LAHURNIP’s three decades of legal advocacy, strategic litigation, and support for Indigenous communities in Nepal. LAHURNIP remains committed to promoting rights-based development, corporate accountability, and the protection of Indigenous Peoples’ lands, resources, and self-determination.

In August 2025, at an event in Kathmandu, LAHURNIP was honored by the Nepal Federation of Indigenous Nationalities (NEFIN) for its 30 years of dedication to promoting and defending the rights of Indigenous Peoples in Nepal.

In 2024, at a ceremony in Chiang Mai, Thailand, Asia Indigenous Peoples Pact awarded the Centre of Defenders Award to LAHURNIP, in recognition of its outstanding contributions to the protection and promotion of the human rights of Indigenous Peoples in the Asia region.

In December 2025, the Hyolmo Indigenous Community honored LAHURNIP for its long-standing legal advocacy in defending the rights of Indigenous Peoples in Nepal.

The recognition, conveyed through a Letter of Honor, followed LAHURNIP’s receipt of the International Business and Human Rights Award 2025 at the 14th UN Forum on Business and Human Rights in Geneva. The community recognized LAHURNIP’s advocacy in protecting Indigenous lands and natural resources affected by the Melamchi Water Supply Project and its role in securing Supreme Court recognition of the Hyolmo Peoples as an Indigenous Nationality of Nepal.

In December 2025, on the occasion of the 77th International Human Rights Day, Advocate Shankar Limbu, Vice Chairperson of LAHURNIP, received the prestigious Dayaram Pariyar Memorial Award from the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) in Kathmandu. The award was presented by Prime Minister Susila Karki.

Advocate Limbu was recognized for his long-standing contributions to promoting human rights, particularly the rights of Indigenous Peoples and marginalized communities. The award recognizes his continued commitment to justice, equality, and Indigenous rights in Nepal.

Kathmandu, 18 January 2026 — The National Indigenous Women's Federation (NIWF) honored LAHURNIP with a Certificate of Honor during its 25th Silver Jubilee (Rajat Jayanti) celebration, recognizing the organization's outstanding contribution to advancing the human rights of Indigenous Peoples in Nepal.

Presented by Minister for Women, Children, and Senior Citizens Shraddha Shrestha, the award acknowledges LAHURNIP's long-standing leadership in legal advocacy, policy engagement, and the promotion of Indigenous Peoples' rights, including the implementation of ILO. f169 and UNDRIP.

In August 2021, the Nepal Federation of Indigenous Nationalities (NEFIN), District Coordination Council, Dailekh, presented a Letter of Appreciation to LAHURNIP, honoring its long-standing contribution to promoting and protecting the human rights of Indigenous Peoples in Nepal.

The recognition reflects LAHURNIP's continued commitment to Indigenous rights advocacy and community empowerment.