SUNDH URGES FOR PEACEFUL PROTESTS
Addressing a public gathering in Birgunj on Saturday (Feb 17), Lena Sundh, the chief of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in Nepal has stressed that everyone should adopt only the peaceful means to advance their concerns and draw attention of the government.
"My office has given the highest priority to monitoring the situation in the Terai. Our mobile teams have been investigating abuses occurred throughout the region. They have also been attempting to defuse tensions and prevent abuses and violence through dialogue and advocacy with local authorities, police and protest organizers," she said, adding, "These activities have been carried out in the broader context of OHCHR-Nepal's work to advocate for an end to discrimination and for appropriate representation for all excluded groups in the peace and electoral processes."
On the other hand, Sundh highlighted the need to address the prevailing social exclusion and longstanding discrimination against any Nepalis, including Madhesis, Dalits, indigenous peoples, communities such as Badis, groups such as ex-Kamaiyas, people with disabilities and sexual minorities. She said the parties must follow the commitments stated in the comprehensive peace agreement with practical measures during the ongoing transition process to ensure that those peoples who have been traditionally left out of the political process are able to participate equally in shaping the new Nepal .
Sundh said OHCHR-Nepal is focusing on two crucial issues that must be addressed in order to ensure that there will be no further human rights abuses in Nepal . "First, impunity must end, especially for serious human rights abuses. Those who hold positions of power and public responsibility must be accountable to the public, not least the State security forces. It is essential to create a new culture within the security forces, including any new or reformed forces, of being accountable before the law, to ensure that human rights violations are not repeated," she said. Sundh stated that both the sides committed serious abuses during the conflict and there would be dangerous consequences for future human rights protection if these were merely swept under the carpet – supposedly in the interests of peace.
Sundh also stressed the need of well functioning law enforcement and criminal justice system in the country. "Providing security through civilian policing is among the most important of the state's human rights obligations. The Nepal Police is called upon to fulfill this state responsibility at an historic juncture, and in order to do so they must be well-resourced and properly trained. The criminal justice system must also function in a strong and independent manner, and be accessible to all Nepalis, including those who traditionally have had difficulty gaining access to justice, such as Dalits and the rural poor. Women victims of sexual violence must also have the full protection of the law — the obstacles they currently face to accessing the justice system must be removed," she added.
