Nepal presented commitments and pledges in support of its candidature for membership for the period 2018- 2020 in July 2016. Key pledges include:
At national level:
Further implement the human rights instruments to which it is Party, and mobilise greater efforts towards the full realisation of human rights; continue to pursue the goal of graduation from Least Developed Country (LDC) status, and achieve the status of a middle-income country by 2030; deliver on an inclusive development agenda, with due consideration to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and the Addis Ababa Action Agenda; remain committed to addressing the cases of human rights violations that occurred during the Nepal’s civil conflict and provide justice to victims while promoting sustainable peace; ensure the independence and competence of the judiciary; foster the growth and diversification of a free and competent media; create an enabling environment for human rights defenders and civil society organisations; strengthen the role of its National Human Rights Commission; cooperate with the Council mechanisms and implement their recommendations; implement National Action Plans and programmes to further comply with its human rights obligations; and roll out national capacity-building and training programmes in the field of the human rights.
At international level, Nepal pledged, inter alia, to:
Contribute to the work of the Council; continue to support OHCHR; adopt a collaborative approach at the Council, premised on building partnerships; continue to support the UN agencies, programmes, and funds that facilitate the promotion and protection of human rights; and participate actively in global initiatives on the implementation of the 2030 Agenda.
An analysis of steps taken by Nepal in fulfilment of its international level pledges shows that it contribution to the work of the Council, in terms of participation in debates and panels, has been rather limited: Nepal participated in around 35% of all Council debates and panels and joined 69 group statements (total average was 264). Regarding cooperation with the Council mechanisms, Nepal has ratified seven core international human rights treaties and has submitted most of its periodic reports; it is yet to submit its reports under the CAT, ICCPR and ICESCR. Turning to cooperation with Special Procedures, Nepal facilitated 42% of all Special Procedures visit requests and responded to 40% of the received communications. Regarding its own UPR, Nepal participated at high political level (Prime Minister).
Cooperation with international human rights system
Most overdue report
Fulfilment of past voluntary pledges & commitments