A/HRC/17/5 Introduction 1. The Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review (UPR), established in accordance with Human Rights Council resolution 5/1 of 18 June 2007, held its tenth session from 24 January to 4 February 2011. The review of Nepal was held at the third meeting on 25 January 2011. The delegation of Nepal was headed by Sujata Koirala, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs. At its seventh meeting held on 27 January 2011, the Working Group adopted the report on Nepal. 2. On 21 June 2010, the Human Rights Council selected the following group of rapporteurs (troika) to facilitate the review of Nepal: Republic of Moldova, Cuba, Qatar. 3. In accordance with paragraph 15 of the annex to resolution 5/1, the following documents were issued for the review of Nepal: (a) A national report submitted/written presentation made in accordance with paragraph 15 (a) (A/HRC/WG.6/10/NPL/1 and A/HRC/WG.6/10/NPL/1/Corr.1 ); (b) A compilation prepared by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in accordance with paragraph 15 (b) (A/HRC/WG.6/10/NPL/2); (c) A summary prepared by OHCHR in accordance with paragraph 15 (c) (A/HRC/WG.6/10/NPL/3). 4. A list of questions prepared in advance by Canada, the Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Maldives, the Netherlands, Norway, Slovenia, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland was transmitted to Nepal through the troika. These questions are available on the extranet of the UPR. I. Summary of the proceedings of the review process A. Presentation by the State under review 5. In her introductory statement, the head of the delegation indicated that Nepal considers the UPR as an important process of discussing achievements, identifying constraints and challenges, and sharing best practices. 6. Nepali democratic history has been characterized by struggles and immense sacrifices by the people of Nepal. The peaceful People’s Movement of 2006 was decisive in reinstating democratic values, norms and institutions, unequivocally expressing people’s aspiration for peace, security and democracy. 7. The 2006 Comprehensive Peace Accord, which formally ended the armed conflict paved the way for the establishment of the universally accepted human rights, a multiparty competitive democratic system, rule of law, constitutional checks and balances and independent judiciary. The most defining feature was the election of the Constituent Assembly in 2008, which is fully reflective of Nepal’s social diversity for the first time in its history. It performs the dual functions of writing a constitution and acting as legislature parliament. 8. It has been a long standing policy of Nepal to remain constructively engaged with the international community, since it joined the United Nations in 1955. 9. Nepal maintains an open and constructive dialogue with the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, including its country office, the United Nations treaty bodies and the special-procedures mandate holders and other international human rights 3