Miscellaneous
Nepal ‘committed’ to human rights
The Government of Nepal is totally committed to the protection and promotion of human rights as well as addressing the issue of transitional justice, Foreign Secretary Shanker Das Bairagi told the 37th Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva on Monday.The Government of Nepal is totally committed to the protection and promotion of human rights as well as addressing the issue of transitional justice, Foreign Secretary Shanker Das Bairagi told the 37th Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva on Monday.
This is Nepal’s first participation in a UNHRC session as a member.
The government has recently extended the term and mandate of two transitional justice bodies to probe and find out the truth of abuse of human rights cases during the decade-long civil war. Addressing the High Level Segment of the session, Bairagi said the constitution of Nepal consolidates inclusive democratic polity, pluralism, the rule of law, representative and accountable government, social and economic justice, and universally recognised human rights and fundamental freedoms.
He reiterated Nepal’s commitment to fully address the issue of transitional justice.
“Nepal represents a unique case study of a successful peace process from an armed conflict into a democratic political transformation. At the heart this lies the aspiration and strong national commitment to ensure equal rights to all of our people,” Bairagi said.
Bairagi added that the successful conclusion of the elections to local level, provincial assemblies and federal parliament and formation of government in each tier of federal structure, Nepal’s constitution has come into full implementation.
“The elections have brought a transformative effect in the empowerment of women, indigenous people, Dalits, Madheshis, persons with disabilities and they are now at the forefront of political and development process,” he said.
Stating that the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) mechanism has successfully evolved to become a hallmark of positive international co-operation in the realm of human rights, Bairagi said Nepal remains constructively engaged with the UN Human Rights mechanisms. He also mentioned the recommendations received during Nepal’s second cycle of review under the UPR two years ago are now being implemented in earnest.
He extended sincere thanks and gratitude to all United Nations Member States for reposing trust in Nepal and electing the country to the Human Rights Council.
“Nepal will constructively engage with all Member and Observer States of the Council to deliver its mandates,” he stressed.
“For that the council must be apolitical and objective and should examine human rights issues on merit in a spirit of openness and dialogue.”
Nepal to deliver council’s mandate
- Foreign Secretry Bairagi speaks to Human Rights Council for the first time as member in Geneva.
- Pledges to deliver Council's mandates
- All human rights, including those of migrant workers, had to be treated in an equal manner.
- Nepal currently implementing recommendations from periodic reports and represented a success story regarding transition from conflict to stability.
- Death penalty abolished in Nepal. Rule of law central to legal process.