According to a press statement issued by UNDP in Kathmandu, an agreement on strengthening the Rule of Law and Human Rights Programme (ROLHR) was signed on Thursday by Norwegian Ambassador to Nepal Arne Ramslien and UNDP Country Director Shoko Noda amidst a function at the Supreme Court. Justice Kalyan Shrestha and senior Court officials were present on the occasion. [break]
Under the terms of the agreement, Norway will provide US$ 4.054 million for the five year-long program worth a total of US $ 26 million. Norwegian Ambassador Ramslien expressed confidence that the program will significantly contribute to improving the Rule of Law and Human Rights situation in Nepal.
“The start of this ambitious Rule of Law program is a great example of country ownership as well as harmonization both among the development partners and government agencies,” he said.
UNDP Country Director Shoko Noda expressed her happiness to be part of the Supreme Court-led program and thanked the Norwegian Ambassador for his support. “This is a nationally-led program under the leadership of the Supreme Court of Nepal and we are happy to be a part of it,” she said.
Besides pursuing considerable policy reforms, the program aims to increase the rate of implementation of verdicts to 50 percent from the current 15 percent. The program will provide socio-legal services to 20,000 women and vulnerable peoples, train 2,000 court officials, prosecutors and lawyers and establish justice sector coordination committee in at least 15 districts.
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