Deep-rooted discriminatory policies must be addressed at once:

United Nations High Commissioner: Arbour

Kantipur Report

KATHMANDU, March 16 - United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Louise Arbour has said that the deep rooted discriminatory policies and exclusion of marginalized groups in the "new Nepal" must be addressed at once.
Arbour made the statement Friday while publicising a report on Nepal's human rights situation and the office's activities in Nepal during the High Level Segment of the 4th Session of UN Human Rights Council in Geneva.

Nepal's representative to the session Bhagirath Basnet, said that efforts were underway in Nepal to establish lasting peace by bringing all groups into the manifold.

Basnet had informed world leaders participating in the convention that the Nepal government was positive on the issue of human rights during his address.

The report examines the human rights situation in Nepal in the context of the peace process up to the beginning of January 2007. It concludes that while some improvements have been seen in the human rights situation, major challenges still lie ahead, including ending impunity for human rights violations and stopping the exclusion of marginalized groups.

Arbour's report has said, "Creating a climate conducive to the elections without threats or violence will be extremely difficult unless there is the political will on the part of all parties to strengthen rule of law and to respect the political rights of all."