DPM Oli addresses UN General Assembly, urges for greater int’l support

September 26, 2006
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Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs KP Sharma Oli (File photo)

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs KP Sharma Oli (File photo)
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister KP Sharma Oli addressed the 61st General Assembly session of the United Nations in New York on Sunday, urging the international community for greater support in establishing lasting peace and full-fledged democracy in Nepal.

Oli said, “Now, we have pressing post-conflict reintegration, rehabilitation and reconstruction needs. Meeting these challenges necessitates an enhanced level of international support and assistance.”

“The people and Government of Nepal are thankful to the international community for their strong support during our struggle for democracy. We are hopeful of even greater support and solidarity in our transition towards full-fledged democracy and lasting peace,” he said adding that successful resolution Nepal’s conflict would “set a worthwhile example to the rest of the world that democracy is indispensable and brightens the prospect for resolution of all kinds of conflicts”.

Saying that Nepal was undergoing fundamental transformation following the restoration of democracy through peaceful People’s Movement in April this year, the DPM said the people of Nepal had become, for the first time in history, the real sources of sovereignty and state authority and that the historic parliamentary proclamation of May 18 and the subsequent decisions were crucial steps in safeguarding democracy in the country. He also praised the UN Secretary-General for his assistance to the peace process, including in monitoring of human rights, assistance in ceasefire monitoring, arms management and observation of elections to the Constituent Assembly in Nepal.

Oli, who is leading the Nepalese delegation to the UN general assembly, stressed that Nepal had a consistent policy to unequivocally condemn terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.

Nepal’s profound interest and continued participation in the UN Peacekeeping missions underscores her contribution to the maintenance of international peace and security, he observed. “Even when it had its own internal conflict, Nepal never gave up sending its troops to UN peacekeeping missions. The Nepalese blue helmets have been serving in various missions, including many troubled spots, in an exemplary manner, earning international repute for them and for the country.”

Saying that the Nepal government had given top priority to the protection and promotion of human rights, Oli told the UN session that the government had been working closely with the UN human rights bodies, including the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in Nepal, to guarantee human rights.

“Return of democracy and the start of peace process have led to big improvement in the protection of human rights in Nepal. We highly appreciate role played by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in Nepal in improving the human rights situation,” he said explaining that Nepal was determined to bring to an end the culture of impunity.