Madame President,
I would like to make the following statement on behalf of Costa Rica, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Norway, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. We have been keenly supportive of the development and peace process in Nepal. It is in this spirit that we express our disappointment over the failure to agree on a new Constitution, which resulted in the dissolution of the Constituent Assembly on 27 May. Though a deliberative dialogue is inherent to democratic governance, prolonged political uncertainty risks undoing the notable achievements of Nepal’s peace process. It is in the interest of the people of Nepal that the lack of representative institutions holding the executive to account is addressed as soon as possible.
We call on all the political parties to find a durable solution that meets the aspirations of the people of Nepal for peace, stability and prosperity, whilst protecting fundamental democratic principles and rights in line with Nepal’s obligations under international law.
The establishment of a Truth and Reconciliation Commission and a Commission of Inquiry on Disappearances as appropriately foreseen in the Comprehensive Peace Accord should establish the facts about what happened during the 10-year long armed conflict and provide a measure of justice to its victims. We urge the Government of Nepal to ensure that any commission meets international standards and does not include or recommend amnesties for gross violations of human rights and serious violations of international humanitarian law. Powers for effective truth-seeking and redress are important in ensuring that the commissions promote reconciliation and restoration to victims. We encourage the Government of Nepal to consider the views of the National Human Rights Commission and victims groups when finalising the bills.
The fight against impunity and adequate investigation and prosecution of conflict-era human rights violations should not be sacrificed. Transitional justice mechanisms that are genuinely independent, seek both truth and reconciliation, and give victims the fullest opportunity for redress, provide the best framework for consolidating the peace process. Special attention is needed to ensure justice for women and girl victims of sexual violence during the conflict.
We call on the Government to ensure that the rights of journalists, lawyers and other human rights defenders are upheld so that they may play their rightful role in a democracy and that activists enjoy the full protection of the rule of law.
We urge the Government to follow-up on the implementation of accepted UPR recommendations, including through addressing gender-based and sexual violence, and to implement the National Action Plan on UN Security Council resolutions 1325 and 1820. We further urge the Government to ensure effective monitoring of UPR follow-up in order to measure and communicate progress.
We reaffirm our continuing support for efforts by all political parties to find ways to build the necessary trust to conclude the peace agreement they reached in 2006 and to deliver a democratic and inclusive constitution.
Thank you.