UN eager to support Nepal’s transitional justice: Minister

Published On: March 6, 2019 07:57 AM NPT By: Republica | @RepublicaNepal

KATHMANDU, March 6: Foreign Minister Pradeep Gyawali on Tuesday said the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights was eager to provide the necessary support to Nepal for concluding the remaining works of truth and reconciliation.

Gyawali, while talking to reporters about the outcomes of his recent Switzerland visit to attend the 40th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva, said his visit was successful in garnering the support of the international community in wrapping up the remaining works of the peace process.

Gyawali said that he had briefed the international community on the ongoing works of transitional justice and works on human rights during his address at the 40th session of United Nations Human Rights Council and meeting with high commissioner Michelle Bachelet. During his address, Gyawali had assured the international community that Nepal was committed to booking the perpetrators of serious human rights violation. “There exists a requisite political will to conclude this last remaining task of the peace process in an equally unique way. In doing so, we will be guided by the Comprehensive Peace Accord, directive of the Supreme Court, relevant international commitments, concerns of the victims and the ground realities. There will be no blanket amnesty in the cases of serious violations of human rights,” Gyawali told the international community during his address.

He, however, stressed the need for ‘nationally-owned and nationally-led peace process’. He had also informed the international community about the ongoing works on the formulation of transitional laws which he said were being drafted in consultation with the victims, civil society and other stakeholders.

“The high commissioner lauded Nepal’s works on achievement in areas of human rights,’’ Gyawali said during the interaction with reporters on Tuesday. During the meeting, Bachelet had pledged necessary support to Nepal’s transitional justice, Gyawali added.