A/HRC/13/73
together with a network of human rights organisations, deployed a large number of
monitoring teams to sensitive sites during the UCPN-M mass protests in Kathmandu on 12
and 13 November 2009. The presence of human rights monitors in significant numbers
appears to have had a moderating effect on actions by both security forces and
demonstrators.
19.
In all cases, work by OHCHR has benefited significantly from close collaboration
with the National Human Rights Commission and local human rights defenders, who have
long played an essential role in monitoring and reporting on the human rights situation in
Nepal, often under very difficult circumstances.
C.
Thematic approach
20.
In connection with monitoring human rights aspects of the peace process, OHCHR
has adopted a more programmatic and strategic approach to address some long-standing
issues which are among the root causes of the conflict.
21.
The efforts to build a constructive relationship with the National Human Rights
Commission have required striking a balance between strengthening the role and capacity
of the Commission and ensuring against an interim gap in human rights protection.
OHCHR and the National Human Rights Commission signed a set of guidelines for
cooperation in February 2009, reflecting this balance and signaling a new phase of
cooperation.
22.
A key task of OHCHR-Nepal in 2009 was to support the Government to design and
begin to implement a transitional justice strategy, as provided for in the Comprehensive
Peace Agreement, to address impunity and the legitimate claims of conflict victims for
truth, reparations and justice. With the establishment of transitional justice institutions still
pending, ongoing dialogue with the Government and other major stakeholders on this issue
has contributed to a higher level of awareness with regard to the necessary elements of an
effective transitional justice programme.
23.
With regard to issues of discrimination and economic, social and cultural rights in
Nepal, the Office has significantly increased its advocacy activities with political actors and
other partners in order to raise awareness and promote reforms. The far western region field
office has been transformed into a project office devoted exclusively to anti-discrimination
projects.
D.
Cooperation with the United Nations country team and the donor
community
24.
OHCHR continued to collaborate closely with UNMIN to ensure complementary
and, where appropriate, joint activities on human rights issues. Since the closure of UNMIN
field presences in July 2008, OHCHR field offices have taken on a greater role in providing
information to the mission and other partners regarding the situation in the field.
25.
Through the United Nations country team, OHCHR collaborated closely with
United Nations agencies in Nepal to encourage a human rights-based approach for all
United Nations activities in the country. Cooperation between OHCHR and the United
Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has focused in particular on strengthening the
capacity of the National Human Rights Commission. In its capacity as lead agency of the
protection cluster of the Inter-Agency Standing Committee, OHCHR continued to monitor
protection concerns with regard to floods, which have severely affected parts of the
6
Select target paragraph3
Connect to a paragraph
Connect to an entity
Disable highlights
Add to table of contents