Nepal’s Human Rights Record Reviewed by Over 100 Nations

Nepal’s human rights record was recently reviewed as part of the Universal Periodic Review process at the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva. Representatives from over 100 countries participated, acknowledging progress while also voicing concerns regarding specific areas.

Universal Periodic Review Process

The Universal Periodic Review (UPR) is a peer-review mechanism where the human rights records of all UN member states are examined every five years. This fourth cycle for Nepal took place recently, with 103 countries offering recommendations to the Nepali government.

Recommendations and Concerns

Participating states recognized Nepal’s advancements in human rights since the 2021 review. However, they emphasized the need for concrete action to address structural discrimination and accountability gaps. Key suggestions included ending constitutional and legal discrimination related to citizenship, eliminating harmful practices against women and children, and intensifying efforts to end caste-based discrimination and untouchability. Other recommendations focused on strengthening protections for trafficking victims, safeguarding the rights of persons with disabilities, protecting sexual minorities, ensuring free and compulsory education, improving access to safe drinking water, expanding universal health services, and eliminating child labor.

Transitional Justice Process

The stalled transitional justice process was a prominent concern. While acknowledging recent legislative efforts to revive the process, several countries cautioned that the mechanisms must adhere to international standards to gain credibility among victims. Specific recommendations included ensuring the independence of transitional justice mechanisms and aligning the framework with international human rights and humanitarian law. Countries like Czechia, Germany, and Norway specifically made this request.

Caste-Based Discrimination

Caste-based discrimination was identified as a major area of concern. Italy, Finland, and Kiribati urged Nepal to intensify efforts to eliminate caste-based discrimination and ensure effective implementation of existing laws, citing continued reports of violence and exclusion faced by Dalits.

International Human Rights Commitments

Several delegations called on Nepal to strengthen its international human rights commitments by signing and ratifying key treaties, including the Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance and the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court.

Constitutional Bodies

Concerns were raised regarding the functioning of constitutional bodies. States recommended that Nepal constitute the National Human Rights Commission in full compliance with the Paris Principles and ensure it is adequately resourced to operate independently and effectively.

Nepal’s Response

Nepal’s delegation, led by Foreign Secretary Amrit Rai, highlighted constitutional guarantees and recent legislative measures, reiterating the government’s commitment to human rights, inclusion, and accountability. The delegation stated that Nepal would carefully study the recommendations before presenting its formal position at the adoption stage.

Next Steps

The UN Human Rights Council will adopt the recommendations. Nepal will decide in May-June which recommendations to accept, with a responsibility to implement those accepted by the fifth review cycle in 2030.