The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in Nepal has welcomed the Friday’s Supreme Court order to government to pay compensation to the families of people disappeared by the government and prosecute the culprits.

The SC decision included an order that the government enact a law which would criminalise enforced disappearance in line with the International Convention for the Protection of all Persons from Enforced Disappearance; establish a high level commission of inquiry on disappearances in compliance with the international criteria; require investigations and prosecutions of persons responsible for disappearances; and provide for adequate compensation and relief to the victims and their families.

Welcoming the SC decision, the UN rights agency said in a statement Monday, “The decision is a significant step forward in recognizing the rights of victims of enforced disappearance and their families to truth, justice and reparations.”

OHCHR-Nepal also reiterated its recommendation to the Government of Nepal that the “Disappearance Bill” which has been tabled before the Interim Legislature-Parliament be strengthened so that it is more fully in accordance with international human rights standards. On 25 May 2007, OHCHR-Nepal had presented its recommendations on the Bill to Speaker Subash Nemwang

“The Supreme Court’s historic decision is a highly positive development and must be fully and promptly implemented. It is hoped that this decision will boost the efforts of victims and their families in finding out what happened to their loved ones and in their pursuit of justice, as well as in ending impunity for persons responsible for serious human rights violations in Nepal,” said Lena Sundh, Representative of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights in Nepal.