Kathmandu, Feb. 26
Foreign Minister Dr.
Arzu Rana Deuba met with the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights,
Volker Türk, in Geneva on Wednesday. The meeting took place on the sidelines of
the 58th High-Level Session of the UN Human Rights Council, where
Dr. Rana is leading the Nepali delegation.
Despite limited
resources, Nepal has played an exemplary and pioneering role in the protection
and promotion of human rights, Dr. Rana said during the meeting, the Ministry
of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) informed in a statement.
She emphasised that
Nepal remains committed to safeguarding and advancing human rights, with the
current constitution enshrining fundamental rights, including civil liberties,
as well as political, economic, social and cultural rights.
According to the
statement, Dr. Rana reiterated Nepal's full commitment to democratic values,
the rule of law, and the independence of the judiciary.
She also informed the
High Commissioner about Nepal's progress in drafting transitional justice laws
to address remaining tasks in the peace process, reaffirming the government's
commitment to concluding transitional justice promptly.
The meeting was
attended by Krishna Prasad Dhakal, Chief of the UN Division at the Ministry of
Foreign Affairs; Ram Prasad Subedi, Nepal's Permanent Representative to the UN
in Geneva; and Rajendra Thapa, Chief of the Human Rights and International
Treaties Division at the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers.
On the same day,
Minister Dr. Rana held bilateral talks
with Spain's Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares Bueno. During the meeting, Dr.
Rana expressed gratitude to Spain for its assistance during challenging times,
including the COVID-19 pandemic and the earthquake, and urged for its support in
Nepal's transition to a developing country by 2026 and achieving the
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
She also appealed for
Spain's backing in Nepal's advocacy for climate justice on international
platforms, given the disproportionate impact of climate change on the country.
"Dr. Rana sought
Spain's support for Nepal's candidacies for membership in the UN Human Rights
Council (2027-2029), the Economic and Social Council (2029-2031), and as a
non-permanent member of the Security Council (2037-2038)," read the
statement.
She also invited Spain
to participate in the upcoming Sagarmatha Dialogue, scheduled for May, which
will focus on climate change, the Himalayas, and the future of humanity.
Dr. Rana further
requested Spain to consider establishing its embassy in Nepal.
Earlier on Wednesday, Dr.
Rana held bilateral talks with Slovak Foreign Minister Juraj Blanár. The MoFA
said that the discussions focused on strengthening Nepal-Slovakia relations,
Nepal's candidacies at the UN, and the impact of climate change, a key issue
Nepal has been advocating globally.
Dr. Rana also received
a courtesy call from Enrique Javier Ochoa Martínez, Mexico's Undersecretary for
International Relations and Human Rights. They discussed various aspects of
Nepal-Mexico relations and potential areas of cooperation in the future.
Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 27 February 2025.
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