UNSG Gutterres continues political meetings; says TJ process must meet int’l standard

Kathmandu / Oct 29: Visiting United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Gutterres has said that the transitional justice process in Nepal that the government is trying to conclude must help bring peace to victims, families and communities.

Addressing the media after a meeting with Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal at Singha Durbar on Sunday, Secretary-General Gutterres also pledged UN’s support to Nepal to develop a process that meets international standards, the Supreme Court’s rulings, and the needs of victims – and to put it into practice.

The remarks of the chief of the UN which facilitated Nepal’s peace process from 2007 to 2011 comes in the wake of the ruling parties expediting preparations to conclude the transitional justice process that remains in limbo for more than 17 years since the peace process began in Nepal.

In the joint press briefing with Prime Minister Dahal, Secretary General Gutterres also called for developed countries to increase support to countries like Nepal that are hard hit by the impacts of climate change. “Nepal is also caught in a blizzard of global crises not of its making: the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, inflation, and the enormous threat posed by climate chaos,” he said. “Much more international action is needed. Developed countries must step up to support sustainable development, and help developing economies including Nepal to tackle the climate crisis.”

Secretary-General Gutterres arrived in Nepal earlier on Sunday on a four-day official visit to Nepal. Apart from his high level meetings with government officials and politicians, he is scheduled to visit the Himalayas to see for himself the impact of the climate crisis on the glaciers. “The situation is dire and it is accelerating. Nepal has lost close to a third of its ice in just over thirty years. And glaciers are melting at record rates,” he said, adding that the impact on communities is devastating.

During his stay in Nepal, Gutterres is also scheduled to meet local people in the Himalayas to hear directly from them about how they are affected by the impact of climate change. “I will also travel to Pokhara and to Lumbini, to reflect on Lord Buddha’s teachings of peace and non-violence, which are more relevant than ever in our deeply-troubled world,” he said.

During their meeting, Prime Minister Dahal thanked Secretary-General Gutterres for accepting his invitation to visit Nepal. PM Dahal also said that he had a fruitful discussion with the Secretary General on various issues of Nepal’s concerns including the impacts of climate change, LDC graduation and Nepal’s development needs in the future.

UN Secretary-General calls on President Paudel

Meanwhile, visiting United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Sunday called on President Ramchandra Paudel at the President House.

On the occasion, President Paudel said that Nepal has kept the UN in its top priority list and recalled UN’s support to Nepal as a development partner since long past.

According to the Office of the President, Paudel expressed his gratitude for the UN assistance to Nepal’s socio-economic development and in achieving sustainable development goals (SDGs) by the UN, its specialized agencies and its programmes.

UN Secretary-General calls on UML Chair Oli

Likewise, visiting United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres paid a courtesy call on CPN (UML) Chairperson and former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli.

The meeting took place at the New Baneshwor-based Federal Parliament building and focused on discussions related to Nepal’s peace process and climate change issues, among other topics, according to UML leader Dr. Rajan Bhattarai, who accompanied the party Chair in the meeting.

UN Secretary-General calls on NC President Deuba

Likewsie, UN SG Guterres paid a courtesy call on Nepali Congress (NC) President and former Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba.

During the meeting, which took place at the New Baneshwor-based Federal Parliament building, they discussed Nepal’s peace process and climate change issues, among other topics.

This information was shared by NC Vice President and Minister for Law, Justice, and Parliamentary Affairs, Dhanraj Gurung, who was also present at the meeting.

Speaker Ghimire, UN Secretary-General Guterres meet

Likewise, House of Representatives (HoR) Speaker Devraj Ghimire and visiting Secretary-General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres held a meeting on Sunday.

At the meeting held at the New Baneswor-based parliament building, Speaker Ghimire informed the Secretary-General of their commitment to bring the transitional justice process of Nepal to a logical end through the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and the Commission of Investigation on Enforced Disappeared Persons.

Apprising him of serious discussions taking place in the parliament and parliamentary committee for the formulation of an Act relating to both the commissions, Speaker Ghimire expressed his hope that the Act would be formulated in the near future, informed Speaker’s press advisor Shekhar Adhikari.

Recalling that Nepal has successfully brought the home-grown peace process to a logical end with national ownership and leadership, the Speaker lauded the moderation of the United Nations Mission in Nepal (UNMIN) in completing the peace process.

“Nepal’s transitional justice process is directed by the Comprehensive Peace Accord reached between the government and then rebel side in 2006, Supreme Court directives, concerned international commitments, concerns of the conflict survivors and ground realities”, Ghimire said.

Nepal is the country of Lord Buddha and Nepali people are peace-loving, he briefed, adding the achievements Nepal gained in the peace process can be a model for other countries in the globe.

Speaker Ghimire also informed Guterres that some specific efforts of Nepal can also be a reference for resolving conflicts and violence surfaced in different countries.

“The COVID-19 as the global pandemic has been so far the most profound human challenge facing by us”, Ghimire said, adding, “I owe my sincere gratitude to the UN and its agencies for extending their support and assistance in tackling difficult times, especially COVID-19”.

Nepal has accorded high priority on the issue of climate change, he said, adding Nepal as a low carbon emitting country has been disproportionally bearing negative impacts of climate change.

Women and children have been mostly affected from the adverse effects of climate change, he while hailing the initiatives taken by Secretary-General Guterres for enhancing the effectiveness of UN systems.

“The Parliament Regulation of Nepal has specified a provision that the Secretary-General of the United Nations shall address the parliament. Nepali people have taken your address with interest”, Ghimire told Guterres.

Also on the occasion, the UN Secretary-General has expressed the readiness of the global governing body to provide necessary support in bringing the transitional justice process of Nepal to conclusion.

Likewise, Guterres also expressed his confidence that the transitional justice would help keep peace among the conflict survivors, their families and communities.

The UN Secretary-General’s delegation, commencing a four-day official trip to Nepal today, includes UN Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations, Jean Pierre Lacroix, Resident Coordinator of the United Nations in Nepal, Hanaa Singer-Hamdy, and other UN officials. RSS