PM Deuba all set to lobby UNHRC seat for Nepal

Kathmandu, Sept 15: During his visit to New York next week for the UN General Assembly, Nepali Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba is expected to make Nepal’s case for a seat on the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC). Deuba leaves for New York on next Tuesday, after celebrating the Constitution Day, according to a report in "The Kathmandu Post" today. Apart from other high-level engagements, the PM will attend a dinner to be hosted by US President Donald Trump in New York in honour of the visiting heads of the States and Governments. Apart from an address to the UN General Assembly on September 23, Nepal’s major diplomatic agenda will be to seek support for its bid for UN Human Rights Council for the 2018-20 term. Having announced its candidacy, the Government has been consistently lobbying in New York. In the process, it has even extended the term of Nepal’s Permanent Representative and Ambassador to United Nations Durga Prasad Bhattarai. “This is our major diplomatic agenda for this year. The PM will seek support from the member states in all bilateral meetings and engagements,” a senior Foreign Ministry official said, adding that several bilateral meetings have been planned during the PM’s sojourn in New York for the purpose. Following a successful democratic transition, Nepal has presented its candidature to share the experience of unique peace process with the world community, according to Nepali officials. Reiterating its dedication to the promotion and protection of human rights, Nepal will make a strong commitment to contribute to the UN body, they said. “The country’s delegates will make a pitch, ‘Nepal believes fair opportunity for all interested states to serve in the UN Human Rights Council would contribute to the common goals of promotion and protection of human rights everywhere,’” they said. This is the first time Nepal has presented its candidature to the council. Nepal is a party to 24 human rights instruments, including seven of the nine core human rights conventions and protocols. Senior Nepali officials, including Deputy Prime Minister Krishna Bahadur Mahara, will be participating in a series of high-level meetings in New York. Mahara is leaving for New York on Sunday. The PM is scheduled to hold bilateral meetings with some heads of the participating state and Government on the margins of the UNGA. On his return, PM Deuba is set to make a stopover in Oman and meet Nepali ambassadors based in the Middle East, including Israel and Egypt. UNI