Addressing the opening session of the 14th session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva on Monday, Pillay said, "I look forward to renewing OHCHR´s mandate in the country to continue our support to the peace process," Pillay said. [break]
Pillay´s hope for renewal of OHCHR-N term comes 10 days before its current mandate expires. The government is yet to take a decision on the matter.
Government and OHCHR-N officials have been negotiating the scope of mandate of the rights body in Nepal.
Minister for Foreign Affairs Sujata Koirala has publicly said that the scope of the mandate will be narrowed down besides closing down four regional offices of OHCHR-N.
Civil society and EU countries have been lobbying for extension of OHCHR-N term as well as continuation of the present mandate.
Government officials said the UN rights body is likely to get its term extended by one year provided that OHCHR-N accepts a narrowed mandate.
Pillay also welcomed the term extension of Constituent Assembly. "I hope that this period would be utilized to finalize a new constitution with the strongest possible human rights protection and to complete other components of the peace process," Pillay said.
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Pillay welcomes OHCHR term extension
