OHCHR praises progress in human rights situation

The Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights in Nepal has said the peace process, including elections, provides a historic opportunity to create a fully inclusive and democratic state which protects human rights and enables all Nepali people to participate equally and effectively in society.

The High Commissioner, in her annual report tabled before the Human Rights Council meeting that commenced in Geneva on Monday, pointed out that progress towards strengthening the national human rights system has been made, including through the appointment of commissioners to the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), the signing or ratification of several international human rights instruments, and the promulgation of regulations providing for quotas for marginalized groups and women in recruitment to the civil service, the police and the army.

"The issuing of more than two million citizenship certificates is another major step forward in addressing the situation of marginalized groups. The Supreme Court played a key role in support of human rights in 2007 with landmark decisions on disappearances, on investigations in the Maina Sunuwar case and on the rights of sexual minorities," the report further said.

However, OHCHR said the respect for and the protection of human rights came under increasing pressure in 2007 as a result of delays in implementing the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA), together with a worsening security situation in the Terai, resulting in increased violence.

The report stressed on the need for progress in three major areas -- ending discrimination and inequalities, ending impunity for the past and ongoing human rights violations and addressing the State's obligation to protect the rights of the population to life, liberty and security. nepalnews.com ia Mar 04 08