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Human rights basis for sustainable peace: Sundh

Head of the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in Nepal....

Newly appointed chief of the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in Nepal, Lena Sundh, has said that human rights is the main basis for sustainable peace in the country and added that discrimination and social exclusion should not get any space in new Nepal for restoration of sustainable peace.

Addressing her first press conference after assuming the responsibility of the head of the OHCHR-Nepal, Sundh appreciated the provision related to Human Rights in the accord signed between the ruling seven party alliance and Maoists and expressed commitment to provide utmost support in every endeavor aimed towards this direction.

Sundh, who arrived Nepal on Sunday to assume her office, said that the agreement reached between the ruling SPA and the Maoists on November 8 will contribute a lot in the ongoing peace process and human rights situation of Nepal and added that both SPA and Maoists should abide by the agreement.

Stating that there was concentration of monitoring in the valley, Sundh said that the OHCHR will continue its work in district level through its regional offices at five development regions.

“The OHCHR worked jointly with the local non governmental organizations working in the field of human rights in the past, and we will also continue working with such organizations in the days to come,” She added.

She also said that the OHCHR would continue to provide technical assistance and also help for capacity building to the local organizations for the protection of human rights and for effective monitoring.

Stating that Rule of Law is the foundation for the protection and promotion of Human Rights, Sundh stressed on the need of the independence of the Judiciary.

Sundh also said that the culture of impunity should be stopped and all the people involved in serious human rights abuses should be booked to end such practice.

She reiterated the commitment of the United Nations High Commissioner’s belief that the truth and reconciliation commission can be an important mechanism to address accountability for the past human rights violations, and to tackle the underlying causes of conflict, adding, “To be effective, it is essential that the commission be independent and impartial, and be established only after widespread public consultation as to its mandate and the composition of commissioners.”

She also called on to appoint commissioners at the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) in a transparent manner, so that it could play an effective role for the protection of Human Rights.

The posts of the commissioners of NHRC has remained vacant after all the commissioners resigned from their posts following the political development of the country.

“All marginalized people should have some important role to play in new Nepal for restoring sustainable peace in the country.”

Stating that forming interim legislature and interim government is the only beginning towards the peace process, she added that both the sides should be serious for the protection of Human Rights of the people for holding the elections of the constituent assembly in a free and fair manner.

She further said that the OHCHR is ready to work to make the agreement between the ruling SPA and Maoists a reality.

Commenting on Maoists recruiting children in their militia, Sundh said it was a punishable crime according to international humanitarian law.

The seven party alliance and the Maoists signed an agreement to bring Maoists into mainstream of politics. nepalnews.com pb Nov 15 06

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