Nepal Aspires Second Term at UN Human Rights Council

In an interesting development, Nepal is planning to file candidacy for the UNHRC 2021-23 term, considering that its transitional justice mechanism is still underway.

This decision comes as a result of Nepal’s growing concern over the international community’s mounting pressure to complete the project in time.

With a second term at the UNHRC, the country seeks to fulfill its commitment and strengthen its position at the council.

What Officials have to Say?
Nepal has been delaying in actioning the transitional justice process for a long time, now.

Nepal officials opine that a seat at the council is essential to defend the country’s stance on human rights and transitional justice.

“Nepal’s role at the council reflects our position for apolitical and objective examination of human rights issues on non-selective, even-handed and merit basis. We stand for a system that is transparent, accountable and embraces universally accepted democratic values,” says Pradeep Gyawali, Nepal Foreign Minister.

Adding further, he says, “This commitment is translated in our role at the UN Human Rights Council, where we remain a member for the term 2018-20 and have also announced our bid for another term at the council.”

Officials also say that Nepal’s appeal for another term displays its ability to contribute to the council’s works, after learning from its own success-stories of peace at the national level.

“Our performance in last seven months has been good. We are vying for another term because we want to give continuity to the good work,” says Bharat Raj Poudel, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson.

This is Nepal’s first term at the UNHRC which was established in 2006.