Australia in Switzerland
Bern and Geneva
Switzerland, Liechtenstein

Statement162

Universal Periodic Review 10th Session
Intervention by Australia

NEPAL


Thanks you Mr President

Australia welcomes the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs, H.E. Sujata Koirala, and the delegation from Nepal and appreciates its engagement in the Universal Periodic Review process.

We welcome the important achievements in the peace process to date, including a ceasefire that has held firm, the discharge of verified minors and late recruits from the Maoist army, and the election of a Constituent Assembly. Australia urges all parties in Nepal to implement their commitments under the Comprehensive Peace Agreement.

Australia notes that the armed conflict in Nepal caused the deaths of over 13,000 people and believes that these deaths need to be thoroughly investigated. We welcome the draft legislation to establish a Commission of Inquiry on Disappearances and a Truth and Reconciliation Commission. We urge Nepal to establish these bodies in line with international standards.

To further the rule of law, secure public safety, and enhance public confidence in the police, Australia urges Nepal to ensure that allegations of human rights violations by Nepal’s police forces are investigated and perpetrators are brought to account, potentially through the establishment of an independent Police Service Commission.

We welcome Nepal’s commitment to end gender-based violence, including domestic violence, rape, dowry-related violence, and trafficking, and urge Nepal to develop a national action plan on the issue.


Australia would like to make three recommendations. Australia recommends Nepal:

  1. Establish the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and Commission of Inquiry on Disappearances as stipulated in the 2006 Comprehensive Peace Agreement;

  2. Introduce an independent complaints mechanism on the conduct of security forces and establish a Nepal Police Service Commission; and

  3. Develop a National Action Plan on ending violence against women and children.

  4.