OHCHR and National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) officials jointly organised discussion with the human rights situation and the ongoing peace process with the leaders of political parties and civil society activists in Inaruwa, Sunsari district, on Tuesday.

The meeting was focused on the challenge of ensuring that human rights including the human rights provisions in the Comprehensive Peace Agreement, the interim Constitution and in the new government’s Common Minimum Programme, are respected in the peace process. Possible ways to ensure inclusive representation in the upcoming Constituent Assembly were also the subject of discussion.

With regard to elections, it was stressed that political actors must accept that respect for the rights of others, including political allies and opponents, is the cornerstone of successful elections in a multi-party democracy.

Participants stressed that political actors must permit all other actors to hold rallies, meetings, or demonstrations, and must also ensure that their supporters too respect these rights of others.

Speakers of the discussion also stressed that political actors must also respect the rights of voters to participate in any political gatherings, as well as to vote freely, and the right of the press to report without fear of repercussions.

OHCHR said the discussion was organised with the objective of encouraging political actors to make a strong commitment to respect human rights in the peace process, particularly regarding the upcoming elections, and to ensure that their supporters honour those commitments at the grass root level.