Minister for Foreign Affairs asks for votes for Nepal to UN Human Rights Council

Kathmandu, February 27 — Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Arzu Rana Deuba has urged the international community to vote for Nepal for a membership on the United Nations Human Rights Council.

Minister Deuba, who is currently in Geneva in connection with addressing the 58th High-level Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council, urged ambassadors and representatives of various countries in Geneva to vote in favour of Nepal. 

Addressing a reception organized by the Permanent Mission of Nepal in Geneva in her and the heads of permanent missions and international organizations of various countries' honour on Wednesday evening, she urged the diplomats of various countries to vote in favour of Nepal, considering its achievements in the field of protection and promotion of human rights despite limited means and resources. 

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

Addressing the function, Minister Deuba said, "The Government of Nepal is working for peace, democracy and human rights. We have been working for a long time past 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 said that the present constitution of Nepal has incorporated the political, economic, social and cultural, among the rights, along with the civic freedom as the fundamental rights.

"The Government of Nepal is fully committed to the democratic norms and values, the rule of law and independence of judiciary," Minister Deuba added. 

Stating that Nepal carried out works as an example of the world during the peace process as well, she said the country was 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 minorities rights as well as inclusion in the recent past," Minister Deuba said on the occasion, adding that the present government has always been in favour of the independence of the National Human Rights Commission.

Earlier on Tuesday, Minister Deuba had addressed the high-level session of the United Nations Human Rights Council.

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

Minister Dr Deuba had reached Geneva on Saturday leading a six-member Nepali delegation. She is returning home on Friday morning.