Added At: 2010-12-18 12:10 AM
Last Updated At: 2010-12-18 12:10 AM
HIMALAYAN NEWS SERVICE
KATHMANDU: The office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in Nepal today called on the government to promptly establish an effective mechanism to ensure protection for all victims of and witnesses to rights violations and abuses.
OHCHR-Nepal issued this call after a consultation with South Asian countries including Nepal.
The government has already committed to safeguarding the rights of victims and witnesses, including their protection, through the ratification of a number of international human rights treaties including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
Addressing a programme, officer-in-charge of OHCHR-Nepal Andrew Palmer welcomed the steps taken by the government on the formation of Truth and Reconciliation Commission and Commission on Inquiry of Disappearance.
“However, the rights to justice and reparation have not been properly emphasised and these measures have yet to address issues related to the protection of witness and victims, measures essential for these commissions to undertake their tasks in the best interests of conflict victims and witnesses,” Palmer further said.
OHCHR-Nepal issued this call after a consultation with South Asian countries including Nepal.
The government has already committed to safeguarding the rights of victims and witnesses, including their protection, through the ratification of a number of international human rights treaties including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
Addressing a programme, officer-in-charge of OHCHR-Nepal Andrew Palmer welcomed the steps taken by the government on the formation of Truth and Reconciliation Commission and Commission on Inquiry of Disappearance.
“However, the rights to justice and reparation have not been properly emphasised and these measures have yet to address issues related to the protection of witness and victims, measures essential for these commissions to undertake their tasks in the best interests of conflict victims and witnesses,” Palmer further said.
http://thehimalayantimes.com/fullTodays.php?headline=Call+for+witness+protection+mechanism&NewsID=269839
Witness protection a must: OHCHR
POST REPORT
KATHMANDU, DEC 18 -
In the wake of a South Asian regional seminar and national consultation on witness and victim protection, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights in Nepal (OHCHR-Nepal) has called on the government to establish an effective mechanism to ensure protection of all victims and witnesses of human rights violations and abuse.
According to an OHCHR statement, a major obstacle that prevents cases of human rights violation from being successfully prosecuted in courts is the absence of an effective witness protection mechanism. “The government has already committed to safeguarding the rights of victims and witnesses, including their protection, through the ratification of a number of international human rights treaties including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights,” read the statement. “In the light of the future establishment of the transitional justice mechanisms, it is now time for Nepal to adopt specific measures to make such protection a practical reality.”
OHCHR also welcomed the steps taken by the government regarding the formation of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and the Commission on Inquiry of Disappearance. “Howe-ver, right to justice and reparation has not been properly emphasised and these measures have yet to address issues related to the protection of witnesses and victims,” read the release.
The seminar, hosted by OHCHR-Nepal, attempted to identify the current challenges, gaps and responsibilities of different actors and stakeholders in establishing a witness and victim protection mechanism.
Posted on: 2010-12-19 08:52
In the wake of a South Asian regional seminar and national consultation on witness and victim protection, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights in Nepal (OHCHR-Nepal) has called on the government to establish an effective mechanism to ensure protection of all victims and witnesses of human rights violations and abuse.
According to an OHCHR statement, a major obstacle that prevents cases of human rights violation from being successfully prosecuted in courts is the absence of an effective witness protection mechanism. “The government has already committed to safeguarding the rights of victims and witnesses, including their protection, through the ratification of a number of international human rights treaties including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights,” read the statement. “In the light of the future establishment of the transitional justice mechanisms, it is now time for Nepal to adopt specific measures to make such protection a practical reality.”
OHCHR also welcomed the steps taken by the government regarding the formation of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and the Commission on Inquiry of Disappearance. “Howe-ver, right to justice and reparation has not been properly emphasised and these measures have yet to address issues related to the protection of witnesses and victims,” read the release.
The seminar, hosted by OHCHR-Nepal, attempted to identify the current challenges, gaps and responsibilities of different actors and stakeholders in establishing a witness and victim protection mechanism.
Posted on: 2010-12-19 08:52
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