FM Rana urges UN support for Nepal's UNHRC membership

KATHMANDU: Minister for Foreign Affairs, Arzu Rana Deuba, has urged the international community to vote for Nepal for membership in the United Nations Human Rights Council.

Minister Rana, who is currently in Geneva to address the 58th High-level Session of the UNHRC, called on ambassadors and representatives of various countries in Geneva to vote in favour of Nepal.

Speaking at a reception organised by the Permanent Mission of Nepal in Geneva in her honour and in honour of the heads of permanent missions and international organisations of various countries on Wednesday evening, she urged diplomats to consider Nepal's achievements in the protection and promotion of human rights, despite limited means and resources.

Heads and ambassadors of permanent missions from more than 100 countries in Geneva and representatives of various international organisations were present on the occasion.

Addressing the function, Foreign Minister Rana said, "The Government of Nepal is working for peace, democracy, and human rights. We have been working for a long time to protect and promote human rights. With this commitment, Nepal has filed its candidacy for the post of member of this council from 2027 to 2029. I call upon all UN member states to support Nepal."

She mentioned that the present constitution of Nepal incorporates political, economic, social, and cultural rights, along with civic freedoms as fundamental rights. "The Government of Nepal is fully committed to democratic norms and values, the rule of law, and the independence of the judiciary," Minister Rana added.

She mentioned that Nepal's peace process has served as an example to the world, and the country is working with urgency by enacting a transitional justice law to conclude the remaining tasks of the peace process as soon as possible.

"Nepal has made achievements in the field of child, women, and minority rights as well as inclusion in recent years," Minister Rana said on the occasion, adding that the present government has always supported the independence of the National Human Rights Commission.

Earlier on Tuesday, Minister Rana addressed the high-level session of the UNHRC.

The session, underway in Geneva, is being attended by ministers of foreign affairs and human rights from UN member states and individuals working in the field of human rights.

Minister Rana reached Geneva on Saturday, leading a six-member Nepali delegation. She is scheduled to return home on Friday morning.

By RSS