Home » Agencies » UN Agencies and Missions

Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR)

OHCHR opened its office in Nepal in May 2005, following an Agreement with the Government of Nepal. Its mandate includes:

  • Monitoring the observance of human rights throughout the country, including by carrying out investigations.
  • Monitoring the human rights provisions of the November 2006 Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA).
  • Advising the authorities on policies, programmes and measures for the promotion and protection of human rights. Providing advisory services and support to the National Human Rights Commission, civil society, human rights NGOs and individuals

OHCHR-Nepal works to protect and promote human rights by addressing three areas:

  • Strengthening the capacity of NHRC, other national institutions with a human rights mandate, and human rights defenders to advocate for and protect human rights, and increase the human rights expertise of the Government of Nepal and state actors, including security forces
  • Promoting a culture of accountability and respect for rule of law,including through a stronger constitutional/legal framework and appropriate responses to human rights and international humanitarian law violations committed both during and after the conflict
  • Addressing longstanding discrimination and marginalisation on the basis of caste, gender, ethnic or other considerations and promoting enjoyment of economic, social and cultural rights.

Following the revised Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of Nepal and the High Commissioner for Human Rights in June 2010,OHCHR-Nepal has closed all field offices. As provided for in the agreement, the Office will continue its operations across the country with Kathmandu-based human rights officers.