Calls for end to impunity

Louise Arbour is the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNHCHR). She is in Nepal for her six days tour to meet political leaders, government officials and the human rights activities to study HR situation in Nepal.

During her stay in Kathmandu she met Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala on Saturday morning at his official residence at Baluwatar.

According to different news sources the meeting focused on recent political changes and their implications on human rights situation.

It is significant to note that Arbour seems to be uncourageous at the improvement in human rights situation since the end of royal regime. However, it is equally note worthy to know that she is concerned about the culture of impunity which is prevailing in present Nepal. The HR activists in Nepal have been pleading for the need to end the culture of impunity by punishing rights violators according to law.

Without HR violators being brought to the justice none of the political developments will really be meaningful in democratic practice. Just swapping of actors cannot be a basis of sustainable peace and democracy.

The continuation of unjust in terms of human rights violation under any kind of reform or change should not be compromised. Democracy does not mean only social welfares and being part of the sovereign. The rights of an individual at all respects must be respected. Difference of opinion and specially practice as religion, sexual orientation, maintaining cultural must be respected by all political actors.

But how far her office can stand on HR issues which may come every day should be the prime concern at this point of time in Nepal. The news media have started reporting on discriminatory actions on gay community. Although the CPA does not have any agenda regarding gay community of Nepal such issues must also be addressed by her office in order to provide justice to all.

For HR community her remark at an interaction program is worth praising. She said, “We intend to fulfill this responsibility by working together with the incoming Interim Government of Nepal, political parties, National Human Rights Commission, civil society and all other relevant actors.”

The HR communities of Nepal are united on the premise ‘impunity is a main threat to human rights protection’. Supporting the theme Arbour said the main focus should be on resolving all outstanding cases of disappearances and holding accountable to those who committed grave human rights abuses during the conflict – both from the CPN (Maoist) and the state security forces.

The international experience on bringing culprit to justice tells us it is one of the most difficult tasks. But with culture of impunity peace can neither be durable nor sustainable. Political changes will indeed change the actors and the duty of the administration is to bring the HR violators to justice.

To create a just society every one should be given equal opportunity to enjoy freedom and liberty in Nepal. Longstanding discrimination and social exclusion such as Dalits, indigenous peoples, Madhesis, ex-Kamaiyas and Gays need to be addressed.