This year marks the 70th year of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) and the 25th year of the Vienna Declaration and Program of Action. Both these landmark events constantly remind us of non-politicization and non-selectivity as all human rights are universal, indivisible, interrelated, interdependent and mutually reinforcing. All human rights merit being treated globally in a fair and equal manner on the same footing and with the same emphasis. Nepal firmly upholds these values as a guiding light in its efforts to the protection and promotion of human rights.
For many developing countries like Nepal, the right to development bears a profound meaning. We firmly hold that democracy, development and respect for human rights are interdependent and mutually reinforcing. They must remain balanced and operational at national, regional and international levels. The rule of law must work at all levels.
As we celebrate the silver jubilee of the Vienna Declaration, its promise to realize the universal and inalienable right to development still remains unfulfilled.
Faithful implementation of the Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development and other relevant internationally agreed development frameworks through enhanced partnership and collaboration is central to the protection of human rights everywhere.
The Human Rights Council has been playing an important role in the protection and promotion of human rights by all. The Universal Periodic Review mechanism has successfully evolved to become a hallmark of positive international cooperation in the realm of human rights.
We consider that the collaborative and constructive approach embraced by the UPR process should be further promoted. Such approach promotes transparency and fairness, in view of the fact that no single country has ever achieved perfection in human rights.
Nepal has remained constructively engaged with the UN Human Rights mechanisms. Two years ago, we had undergone a second cycle of review under the UPR. Its recommendations are now being implemented in earnest under a well-defined action plan.
Nepal’s initial report under the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities was considered last week. Nepal’s periodic reports under the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women are scheduled for consideration later this year.
This month we hosted Special Rapporteur on the Human Rights of Migrants Felipe Gonzalez Morales. We have also extended invitations to the Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food and the Special Rapporteur on Violence against Women, its Causes and Consequences for a country visit to Nepal. We look forward to welcoming them soon.
Nepal represents a unique case study of a successful peace process from an armed conflict into a democratic political transformation that began in 2006. At the heart of this entire process lies the aspiration and strong national commitment to ensuring equal rights for all of our people.
Nepal’s commitment to the universal values of human rights is total. We are a party to all major international human rights instruments, including seven of the nine core human rights conventions. We have abolished the death penalty and do not condone impunity. Rule of law remains at the center of our constitutional and legal process.
Human rights form a fundamental pillar of the Constitution of Nepal promulgated through the popularly elected Constituent Assembly in September 2015. The Constitution consolidates inclusive democratic polity, pluralism, the rule of law, representative and accountable government, social and economic justice, and universally recognized human rights and fundamental freedoms.
We have adopted a federal system of governance to manage the diversity of Nepal. Through 2017, Nepal conducted a series of elections for the local level, provincial assemblies and federal parliament. With the successful conclusion of these elections and the formation of Government in each tier of the federal structure, our constitution has come into full implementation. This is a significant milestone crossed in Nepal's journey to federal democratic order.
Besides ensuring the successful completion of the peace process and democratic transition, the elections have brought a transformative effect in the empowerment of women, indigenous people, Dalits, Madheshis, and persons with disabilities, among others. They are now at the forefront of the political and development process. Women now represent 33 percent at the federal and provincial assemblies. At the local level, the figure is much higher well beyond the constitutionally guaranteed 40 percent.
Similarly, 45% of the public sector employment has been reserved for the weaker section of our population. The policy of affirmative action has significantly enhanced access to education, health services, employment opportunities and political participation.
Nepal has introduced a rights-based approach to development and adheres to a policy of zero tolerance against gender-based violence.
Strengthening national capacity remains our priority. The National Human Rights Commission and other independent constitutional commissions dedicated to women, Madheshi, Tharu, Muslim and indigenous people are being further consolidated.
The National Human Rights Commission of Nepal conforms to the Paris principles and has consistently been accredited with ‘A’ status.
We have vibrant media that play an important supportive role in the promotion and protection of human rights wider and deeper in society.
Civil society organizations are recognized as partners in development, and many of them play the role of human rights defenders.
Nepal’s judiciary is independent and competent to uphold and safeguard human rights and fundamental freedoms. The Supreme Court has given landmark judgments, which have expanded the scope of human rights jurisprudence and added dimensions in the inclusive realization of human rights.
To fully address the issue of transitional justice, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and the Commission of Investigation on Enforced Disappeared Persons are currently engaged in the country. Terms of the Commissions have recently been extended, for a second time, for the completion of their mandates. This will allow the investigation and prosecution of all allegations of serious violations of human rights and humanitarian laws, and to ensure justice and accountability.
Nepal truly believes that together we can provide a strong voice to all those around the globe who look up to the Council to make a positive difference in their lives by upholding the mantle of human rights. For that the Council must be apolitical and objective and should examine human rights issues on a merit basis in a spirit of openness and dialogue.
Shanker Das Bairagi is a foreign secretary of Nepal. Excerpts of his Statement delivered at a High-level Segment of the 37th Session of the Human Rights Council as Head of the Nepali delegation in Geneva.
Bairagi is the foreign secretary of Nepal
