The High Commissioner for Human Rights Louise Arbour presented her annual report on Nepal to the 7th Session of the Human Rights Council, which started in Geneva on 3 March. She said that “transforming a climate of impunity into a culture of accountability will be essential to a successful transformation and sustainable peace” in the country.
(Bangkok) In her annual report on Nepal, the High Commissioner for Human Rights Louise Arbour said that “transforming a climate of impunity into a culture of accountability will be essential to a successful transformation and sustainable peace”.

The annual report was presented to the 7th Session of the Human Rights Council, which started in Geneva on 3 March.

She also said that the lack of implementation of many provisions of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement and of new and existing legislation has led to frustrations among many Nepalese people.

The lack of implementation subjected human rights under increasing pressure in 2007. This resulted in a worsening security situation, among other human rights violations, particularly in the Terai region.

Prerequisite for “creating a climate free of fear and intimidation will be the commitment of all parties, organizations and their supporters to respect the peaceful views and activities of others”, she said.

This is her second report to the Human Rights Council, under the agreement of 10 April 2005 between the Government of Nepal and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), which was renewed for two years until June 2007. The OHCHR field office in Nepal undertook mainly monitoring and capacity-building activities.

Please visit UN Human Rights Council’s website to view the whole report (.pdf) .