India denies any role in Nepal border disruptions - NEPAL

Stones and brick particles accumulated at the main road in Birgunj of Parsa district after the whole day’s clash of Madhesi Front cadres with Police on Tuesday, November 3, 2015.

India today said the problems facing Nepal are political in nature and the country should find a solution that is not based on force.

Giving its statement on the second Universal Periodic Review of Nepal in an interactive session of UN Human Rights Council in Geneva yesterday, India expressed concern about ‘lack of political progress” in Nepal, even after the death of more than 45 persons in the run-up to and after the adoption of the new constitution in September.

India also denied its role in any obstruction of supplies to Nepal and reiterated that it was due to the ongoing protests on the Nepalese side.

In the UPR session, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Kamal Thapa, had yesterday highlighted the humanitarian crisis because of shortage of suppy of essential fuels and medicine from India to Nepal.

India requested that constitution building and democratisation process be consolidated by accommodating all section of Nepali society and urged effective functioning of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, and strengthening of National National Human Rights Commission.

Meanwhile, the UK expressed its concern about discrimination against women in the citizenship provisions in the new constitution and urged the government to ensure independent investigation on the violence in the run up and after the adoption of the statute.

It also expressed serious exception to the amnesty provisions in the TRC mechanism.

The UK also urged the government to remove, or at least extend, the 35-day statute of limitation for reporting rape cases and urged it to set up a complaint commission to investigate and prosecute the complaints against security forces.

The United States delegates said religious freedom should be protected, whereas the Chinese delegates who took part in the interactive session stressed the need to ensure quality education and rights of physically challenged people.

Likewise, the delegate of Brazil and Spain raised concern about violence against women, Madhesis and Janajatis and mad an appeal for strengthening the NHRC to protect the basic rights of people.

Delegates from 79 countries took part in the interactive dialogue with the Nepali delegation, and provided constructive comments and recommendations to further promote human rights in Nepal, according to a statement issued by the Permanent Mission of Nepal to the United Nations in Geneva.

During their observation, most delegates appreciated the adoption of the new democratic constitution that incorporates democratic norms and values and the progressive provisions of fundamental rights and freedoms, it added.

In his concluding remarks following the interactive session, DPM and Foreign Minister Kamal Thapa thanked the delegates for their constructive participation and assured the international community about the government’s commitment to reviewing and revising the existing laws as well as developing new legislative frameworks for effectively implementing all the provisions of the new constitution.



Source : The Himalayan Times , 6th Nov 2015