The 23rd Session of Universal Period Review in Human Rights Council started reviewing Nepal’s report on human rights situation in the country in Geneva of Switzerland on Wednesday. Nepal’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Kamal Thapa gave an opening speech and presented the report on behalf of the Government of Nepal, where the government has stated that the country’s human rights situation has significantly improved since the last UPR which was conducted in 2011. In his speech, Deputy Prime Minister Thapa said,"It is a great honour and privilege for me to present Nepal’s second UPR report to this august session. My delegation is pleased to have this opportunity to present this report on Nepal’s efforts towards fulfilling its international obligations and commitments on the issues of human rights, update the status of implementation of the recommendations that we accepted under the first UPR cycle, highlight our achievements, and share what remains to be done as well as the challenges and constraints we confront with. We look forward to having a productive interactive dialogue with the member states on these issues. My delegation includes the Ambassador and Permanent Representative of the Permanent Mission of Nepal to the UN in Geneva, Secretaries of relevant Ministries and other Senior Officials from different agencies responsible for the formulation of human rights policies and implementation of human rights obligationsThe new constitution guarantees substantive equality, and promotes human dignity, identity, and opportunity for all by ending all forms of discrimination and inequalities. This fundamental law of the land safeguards every right of persons, groups and communities, embracing multi-ethnic, multi-lingual, multi-cultural and diverse geographical specificities. It further aims to create an egalitarian society on the basis of the principles of proportional inclusion and participation, to ensure equitable economic opportunities, shared prosperity and social justice by ending discriminations related to class, ethnicity, region, language, religion and gender. For this, the proportional electoral system, inclusive representation of marginalized and disadvantaged communities in all State organs, positive discrimination and special provisions with regard to rights of women, Dalits, Madheshis, Indigenous people, Tharus, Muslims, Persons with Disabilities, and minorities have been guaranteed in the Constitution.
