OHCHR praises the role of human rights activists during Jana Aandolan II

United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in Nepal Tuesday praised the role played by the human rights activists during and after the April pro-democracy movement.

Issuing a press release on the occasion of the first anniversary of the April uprising, the OHCHR said that it would like to pay tribute to the role played by human rights defenders both during and after the Jana Andolan.

"They (HR activists) continue to be vital partners for the Office in its daily work. The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) remains one of the most important human rights bodies in Nepal," the release said, adding "OHCHR-Nepal again urges the Government to act quickly to appoint new Commissioners so that the NHRC can fully play the key role that it should in promoting and protecting human rights throughout the peace and electoral process".

The statement read, "Bringing about deep and meaningful change to strengthen human rights protection in the long term takes time and requires the collaborative efforts of all sectors of Nepalese society. With political will, there is much that can be done in the short term to satisfy the human rights aspirations of the Nepalis people."

It stressed the need to create an environment for the constituent assembly elections with adequate security, and without fear, intimidation or violence must be a priority. "This is the responsibility of all political leaders, but especially the government. Law enforcement agencies have a special role in ensuring these conditions," the statement added.

OHCHR also urged the government to act quickly to appoint new commissioners so that the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) could fully play the key role in promoting and protecting human rights throughout the peace and electoral process.

"One of the most pressing needs is to address accountability and the right to justice of the many who have suffered violations or abuses at the hands of the State or the Maoists, both during and after hostilities. Probe commission reports such as that of the Rayamajhi Commission have never been made public or their recommendations implemented," the OHCHR statement read.

"The progress that has been made in human rights must not be taken for granted. There is much more which needs to be done, with many challenges lying ahead. OHCHR-Nepal reiterates its commitment to do all it can to assist in strengthening the protection of human rights in support of the peace and electoral process," the statement quoted Lena Sundh, chief of OHCHR as saying.