What progress has recently been made in Nepal’s peace process? This report, by the United Nations Secretary General, reviews progress since January 2009 and gives specific consideration to the implementation of the mandate of the United Nations Mission in Nepal (UNMIN). It highlights the progress made on the constitution drafting process and the reintegration of Maoist army personnel. However, it notes with concern the continued culture of impunity with regards to human rights abuses committed during and since the end of the conflict.
UNMIN was established as a special political mission with a mandate that included the monitoring of the management of arms and armed personnel of the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) (CPN-M) and the Nepal Army. Following the merger of CPN-M with the Communist Party of Nepal – Unity Centre (Masal) on 13 January 2009, the party was renamed the Unified Communist Party of Nepal-Maoist (UCPN-M).
There has been some progress on significant issues related to the peace process.
- The Constituent Assembly has made some progress on the constitution-drafting process, which is to be completed by May 2010. Several political parties presented their proposals to the Constitutional Committee.
- The Special Committee to supervise, integrate and rehabilitate Maoist army personnel met for the first time on 16 January 2009. The Committee was charged with establishing an expert Technical Committee to assist it.
- The Technical Committee has been meeting regularly and, after an initial briefing by UNMIN on the work of the Mission and an overview of the cantonments, visited Maoist army cantonment sites in April.
- On 11 February 2009, the Special Committee requested the Government to proceed with the discharge from the cantonments and rehabilitation of the 4,008 Maoist army personnel.
- UNMIN is engaged in a wide variety of activities ranging from arms monitoring, child protection, political affairs, monitoring public information and observing the security situation in the country.
- The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights noted with concern the general climate of impunity for human rights violations committed during and since the conflict.
The Secretary General makes a number of concluding observations:
- The Government has pledged to complete the integration and rehabilitation process by 15 July 2009. However, given the complexity of the required actions, it may not be realistic to expect completion within this date.
- Continuing political challenges and acrimony among political leaders have hindered progress on integration and rehabilitation. Leaders need to generate a sense of national unity and purpose in the peace process.
- Few leaders have spoken out against acts of violence by supporters of their parties, and a lack of accountability for even the most serious human rights abuses committed during and after the conflict remains the norm.
- Given the centrality of human rights in the peace process, the OHCHR Nepal office can continue to play an important role in helping to build the capacity of national institutions to protect and promote human rights.
