September 6, 2020
Justice and Rights Institute-Nepal (JuRI-Nepal) at the request of the Office of the Prime Minister, and the Council of Ministers, has offered a set of suggestions on the preliminary draft of the Country Report for the Universal Periodic Review (UPR). A State-driven process under the auspices of the UN Human Rights Council, the UPR provides the opportunity for the Member States to declare human rights interventions they have undertaken to improve human rights situation. The third cycle of the UPR has been scheduled for January 2021.
Responding to a letter by the Office of the Prime Minister dated 27 August, JuRI Nepal, submitted a set of suggestions to the Chief of the Human Rights Division at the Prime Ministers Office today. On the occasion, JuRI-Nepal has extended sincere gratitude to the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers for this opportunity to engage into the UPR reporting process.
“On behalf of JuRI-Nepal, and the National Network for Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights (ESCR-Network), I sincerely express my gratitude to the Office of the Prime Minister, and the Council of the Ministers for this opportunity”, said Pankaj Kumar Karn adding, “We find the draft report comprehensive in terms of the thematic coverage, and I am pleased to share our observation in relation to fundamental rights, National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs), transitional justice and access to justice.”
The brief observation that JuRI Nepal submitted is based on consultations with civil society partners, and constitutional and human rights experts. The submission is signed by the JuRI-Nepal chairperson, advocate Pankaj Kumar Karna, Executive Director, advocate Mohan Lal Acharya, and advocate Bishnu Prasad Pokhrel who heads a program – Promoting Human Dignity Program at JuRI-Nepal. The JuRI-Nepal chairperson Mr. Karna also coordinates the National Network for Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. JuRI-Nepal is currently serving as the National Network for ESCR.