Khem Chettri

Khem Chhetri also known as Khem Bahadur Chhetri (born 21 September 1978) is a Nepali human rights advocate, former Nepal Army officer, academic, author, martial artist, and peacekeeper. He served in the Nepal Army for more than 22 years, retiring voluntarily in 2024 with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. During his military career, he served in multiple United Nations peacekeeping missions including Sudan, South Sudan, Western Sahara, and Syria. He has also worked in the fields of human rights, international humanitarian law, peacebuilding, education, and security management. Chhetri is known for his advocacy of nonviolence, human rights, and what he terms “Survival Politics”, a concept focused on sustainable peace, human dignity, and the right to life.

Early life and education

Khem Bahadur Chhetri was born on 21 September 1978 in Palpa District, Nepal. His parents are Dhan Bahadur Khatri Chhetri and Humi Devi Khatri. He earned a Master’s degree in English Literature from Tribhuvan University in 2007, followed by a Master’s degree in Human Rights from Purbanchal University in 2011. He later completed an LL.B. degree in 2018 and a Master’s degree in Political Science in 2021 from Tribhuvan University. In 2022, he passed the Nepal Bar Council examination and became an advocate. In 2023, Chhetri completed a PhD in Human Rights from Nepal Sanskrit University under a University Grants Commission scholarship.

Military career

Chhetri joined the Nepal Army in 2001 as a Graduate Officer Cadet and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant after completing officer training in 2002. From 2008 to 2015, he served in the Directorate of Human Rights of the Nepal Army as a Human Rights Officer. In this role, he conducted training programs and seminars on human rights, gender equality, international humanitarian law, and the law of armed conflict for members of the Nepal Army, Nepal Police, Armed Police Force, and civil organizations. He also coordinated with the International Committee of the Red Cross and contributed to Nepal’s human rights reporting processes submitted to the United Nations. Chhetri represented Nepal and the United Nations in several international peacekeeping missions: North Sudan (2005) South Sudan (2015) Western Sahara (2018) Syria (2021) He was involved in the July 2016 Juba crisis in South Sudan as a peacekeeper. He also served as Acting Head of the Army Physical Training and Sports Center in 2016 and later worked as Senior Researcher at the Research and Development Directorate of the Nepal Army in 2023. He retired voluntarily from military service in 2024 with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.

Professional activities

Following his retirement from the military, Chhetri became involved in academic, legal, and social organizations. His positions have included: Director of Luminous College of Advance Studies President of Nepal Kanun Patrika Online Legal Adviser at Gorkha Millennium Security Company Monitoring, Evaluation, and Quality Assurance (MEQA) Expert at Shanti Sewa Griha – Shanti Leprahilfe Dortmund e.V. Advocate at Legal Clinic Nepal

Books

Survival Politics (2025) Building Resilient Organization “Nature and Causes of Poverty Leading to Inequality and Social Exclusion in Nepal”

Journal articles and essays

“Conflict and Human Rights Violation in Nepal during 1996–2000: The Ways Adopted for Resolution” “Transforming Educational Curriculum to Cultivate Creativity, Critical Thinking, and Sustainable Peace Development” “Happiness Through Nonviolence: A Path to Well-being and Fulfillment” “अहिंसा : सुख प्राप्तिको एउटा मार्ग”

Sports and martial arts

Chhetri is a practitioner and instructor of Taekwondo. He has served as an International Instructor and Class “A” Referee in the International Taekwon-Do Federation (ITF). He won a gold medal at the 1st National ITF Championship in 2000 and another gold medal at the 6th South Asian ITF Taekwon-Do Championship in 2018. He earned a 6th Degree Black Belt in 2021.

Music and entertainment

Outside his military and academic career, Chhetri has been involved in Nepali music and entertainment as a singer, model, and performer. Vocal performance in the song Maya Bhannu Mutu Raichha with Anju Panta Modeling appearances in Nepali folk music videos.

Awards and honors

• United Nations Service Medal
• Foreign Service Medal
• Army Service Medal
• Remote Service Medal
• Nature Conservation Medal
• Earthquake Rescue Medal

See also

• Nepal Army
• United Nations peacekeeping
• Human rights in Nepal
• International humanitarian law