Kathmandu: The government on Sunday decided to
extend the term of the UN human rights panel by one year, amid
pressure from the ruling alliance not to allow it to continue
its work in Nepal.
The government on Sunday decided to extend the term of the
Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in Nepal
(OHCHR-N), whose term expires on June 9.
The Cabinet this evening took the decision to this
effect, Shankar Pokharel, the government spokesperson, said.
It also agreed to maintain the OHCHR-N`s regional
offices in Biratnagar, Pokhara, Nepalgung, Dhangadi and
Kathmandu, the Kantipur online said on Sunday.
It is the fifth time that the UN body`s term has been
extended since its establishment in 2005. Amid growing
speculation that the government may not extend its term, the
OHCHR-N had expressed its intention to continue its work here
as it endorsed a budget close to USD 1.4 million for two
years.
According to reports, Nepali Congress, which is
largest party in the ruling 22-party coalition, and some
leaders of the CPN-UML, had recommended that the government
close down its regional offices.
The ruling parties have accused the UN rights body of
supporting the main opposition Unified CPN (Maoist) party.
In recent months, the OHCHR-Nepal has stepped up
pressure on the government to punish those involved in the
violations of human rights in the country, particularly during
the decade-long insurgency led by the Maoists.
It has accused both the Nepal Army and the Maoists of
involvement in forced disappearance during the civil war that
came to an end in 2006.
The Maoists, who waged a 10-year insurgency, joined
mainstream politics after a 2006 peace deal with the interim
government led by G P Koirala.
Political tensions had been high in Nepal since a
government led by the Maoists resigned last year following a
dispute with President Ram Baran Yadav over the reinstatement
of former army chief Rukmangad Katawal, who was dismissed by
the Prachanda-led government last May.
The ruling alliance and the main Opposition are
deadlocked over the implementation of deal hammered out on May
28 while agreeing to extend the term of the Constituent
Assembly by one year, averting a major political crisis in
Nepal.
PTI
