United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Louise Arbour

United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Louise Arbour
(File Photo)

Visiting United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Louise Arbour, toured around Sindhupalchowk district to assess the human rights situation there on Tuesday.

She stopped at different places and interacted with local women and others about the impact of the 11-year long insurgency and the existing human rights scenario. Arbour also visited a police station at Balephi and “learned more about the challenges facing police trying to re-establish a presence in rural areas where they have long been absent”.

Issuing a statement after her trip to Sindhupalchowk, Arbour said, “Today I have visited the district of Sindhupalchowk, in order to gain a better understanding of some of the human rights issues facing rural communities here.”

Listening to a group of about 20 women, she said, brought home once again the terrible impact the conflict has had on the whole range of human rights – economic, social and cultural rights as well as civil and political rights. The lack of basic government services, such as health and education, and the impact of the conflict have all contributed to stifling development initiatives in Nepal over the last decade, she observed.

“I was struck by the practical vision and leadership of the women from Sindhupalchowk. They have much to offer Nepal, and it is also essential that their energies and skills, and those of women like them throughout the country, are fully utilised in the public sphere during the peace process,” she said.

“Women from marginalized groups in society, such as Dalit communities, have even more difficulty: in effect they are doubly discriminated against. It is vital that legislation is reformed and that the authorities and civil society help to create a safe and protective environment in which women can seek help and redress.”

She said her office in Nepal was focused on working with all concerned to improve access to justice for women in Nepal.

Expressing concern that police officials deployed to rural areas are facing challenges in establishing their presence, Abour stressed the CPN (Maoist) fulfill its commitments and not obstruct the re-establishment of police posts in the critical period leading up to elections.

Arbour who arrived in Kathmandu on Friday on a six-day visit earlier visited mid-western region to assess the rights situation there and also discussions with senior government officials including Prime Minister Koirala and the human rights community.