Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09KATHMANDU638
2009-07-15 10:07:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Kathmandu
Cable title:
NEPAL EXTENDS OHCHR, BUT FUNDS NEEDED
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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KATHMANDU 000638
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM KDEM NP
SUBJECT: NEPAL EXTENDS OHCHR, BUT FUNDS NEEDED
Summary
--------
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KATHMANDU 000638
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM KDEM NP
SUBJECT: NEPAL EXTENDS OHCHR, BUT FUNDS NEEDED
Summary
--------------
1.(SBU) The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights
(OHCHR) formally received an extension to its mandate,
enabling it to continue operating in Nepal until mid-June
2010. OHCHR made an appeal for further funding; current
funding runs only through December 2009. The extension also
appears to have given momentum to signing a capacity
development project agreement. OHCHR Geneva's response
letter is still being drafted, but is likely to accept the
mandate extension. Tensions between OHCHR and Nepal's
National Human Rights Commission remain, though working level
cooperation continues to function well.
OHCHR Dissects GON Extension Letter
--------------
2. (SBU) On July 10, Office of the High Commissioner for
Human Rights (OHCHR) Representative Richard Bennett convened
a donor meeting to discuss OHCHR's mandate extension and
funding needs. Foreign Secretary Acharya wrote to OHCHR on
July 7 to inform OHCHR of the Government of Nepal's (GON)
decision to extend OHCHR-Nepal's current mandate through June
9, 2010. (Note: A three-month extension, from June 9, 2009
through September 9, 2009 had already been offered and
accepted.) Bennett lamented the language used by the GON in
its formal mandate extension letter; specifically, the GON
highlighted its own accomplishments did not acknowledge any
need for help with the human rights situation in Nepal.
3. (SBU) The letter also highlighted the role and status of
Nepal's National Human Rights Commission (NHRC). Bennett and
German Ambassador von Roedern interpreted OHCHR's previous
outreach to, and cooperation with, the NHRC as sufficient.
However, other donors read the letter as a call for improved
cooperation and relations between the two institutions.
Bennett further viewed the GON's expectation that "staffing
and operations be adjusted accordingly" as a clause that had
already been met by the decrease in staffing and budget
versus 2007, and thus one that did not need further action on
OHCHR's part.
Show Me the Money: Please
--------------
4. (SBU) OHCHR made an appeal for further funding; current
funding runs only through December 2009. The projected 12
month budget for 2010 is currently $6.5 million. While
OHCHR-Geneva has apparently committed to make up any
shortfall for 2009, funds are still needed for 2010. OHCHR
also requested donor countries keep repeating the message to
NHRC that NHRC will not necessarily be the beneficiary of any
funding donors have been providing to OHCHR-Nepal; thus
OHCHR's departure would not improve the financial resources
available to NHRC.
Capacity Development Projects With NHRC
--------------
5. (SBU) OHCHR and NHRC met July 15 to discuss a long-delayed
capacity development project, their first meeting since the
GON's decision to extend OHCHR's mandate. According to Andrew
Palmer (OHCHR),NHRC's position regarding OHCHR has changed
markedly and there is a clear agreement that the capacity
development project will be signed soon. He said NHRC has
moderated its approach toward OHCHR, even appearing
deferential and asking for assistance from OHCHR. Palmer
believes there is strong division among the five-member NHRC
commissioners. One of the commissioners, Lila Pathak, is
threatening to resign, apparently due to internal differences
and gender discrimination.
Comment
--------------
6. (SBU) OHCHR would have preferred a longer extension, but
appears to accept that one-year is all that is being offered
now, and even that was a struggle to get through the cabinet.
KATHMANDU 00000638 002 OF 002
NHRC Commissioner Gauri Pradhan told Emboff on July 13 that
NHRC is concerned about OHCHR continuing to have the ability
to conduct independent investigations rather than just do
capacity building and support for NHRC. Depending upon
whether, and how, OHCHR acknowledges the references to NHRC's
role in its current actions and the extension letter,
tensions between the two organizations could be mitigated or
further exacerbated. OHCHR has yet to respond to the offer
to extend the mandate, perhaps because the High Commissioner
for Human Rights was traveling last week. Post expects
however, that a response accepting the mandate extension will
be issued soon.
MOON
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM KDEM NP
SUBJECT: NEPAL EXTENDS OHCHR, BUT FUNDS NEEDED
Summary
--------------
1.(SBU) The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights
(OHCHR) formally received an extension to its mandate,
enabling it to continue operating in Nepal until mid-June
2010. OHCHR made an appeal for further funding; current
funding runs only through December 2009. The extension also
appears to have given momentum to signing a capacity
development project agreement. OHCHR Geneva's response
letter is still being drafted, but is likely to accept the
mandate extension. Tensions between OHCHR and Nepal's
National Human Rights Commission remain, though working level
cooperation continues to function well.
OHCHR Dissects GON Extension Letter
--------------
2. (SBU) On July 10, Office of the High Commissioner for
Human Rights (OHCHR) Representative Richard Bennett convened
a donor meeting to discuss OHCHR's mandate extension and
funding needs. Foreign Secretary Acharya wrote to OHCHR on
July 7 to inform OHCHR of the Government of Nepal's (GON)
decision to extend OHCHR-Nepal's current mandate through June
9, 2010. (Note: A three-month extension, from June 9, 2009
through September 9, 2009 had already been offered and
accepted.) Bennett lamented the language used by the GON in
its formal mandate extension letter; specifically, the GON
highlighted its own accomplishments did not acknowledge any
need for help with the human rights situation in Nepal.
3. (SBU) The letter also highlighted the role and status of
Nepal's National Human Rights Commission (NHRC). Bennett and
German Ambassador von Roedern interpreted OHCHR's previous
outreach to, and cooperation with, the NHRC as sufficient.
However, other donors read the letter as a call for improved
cooperation and relations between the two institutions.
Bennett further viewed the GON's expectation that "staffing
and operations be adjusted accordingly" as a clause that had
already been met by the decrease in staffing and budget
versus 2007, and thus one that did not need further action on
OHCHR's part.
Show Me the Money: Please
--------------
4. (SBU) OHCHR made an appeal for further funding; current
funding runs only through December 2009. The projected 12
month budget for 2010 is currently $6.5 million. While
OHCHR-Geneva has apparently committed to make up any
shortfall for 2009, funds are still needed for 2010. OHCHR
also requested donor countries keep repeating the message to
NHRC that NHRC will not necessarily be the beneficiary of any
funding donors have been providing to OHCHR-Nepal; thus
OHCHR's departure would not improve the financial resources
available to NHRC.
Capacity Development Projects With NHRC
--------------
5. (SBU) OHCHR and NHRC met July 15 to discuss a long-delayed
capacity development project, their first meeting since the
GON's decision to extend OHCHR's mandate. According to Andrew
Palmer (OHCHR),NHRC's position regarding OHCHR has changed
markedly and there is a clear agreement that the capacity
development project will be signed soon. He said NHRC has
moderated its approach toward OHCHR, even appearing
deferential and asking for assistance from OHCHR. Palmer
believes there is strong division among the five-member NHRC
commissioners. One of the commissioners, Lila Pathak, is
threatening to resign, apparently due to internal differences
and gender discrimination.
Comment
--------------
6. (SBU) OHCHR would have preferred a longer extension, but
appears to accept that one-year is all that is being offered
now, and even that was a struggle to get through the cabinet.
KATHMANDU 00000638 002 OF 002
NHRC Commissioner Gauri Pradhan told Emboff on July 13 that
NHRC is concerned about OHCHR continuing to have the ability
to conduct independent investigations rather than just do
capacity building and support for NHRC. Depending upon
whether, and how, OHCHR acknowledges the references to NHRC's
role in its current actions and the extension letter,
tensions between the two organizations could be mitigated or
further exacerbated. OHCHR has yet to respond to the offer
to extend the mandate, perhaps because the High Commissioner
for Human Rights was traveling last week. Post expects
however, that a response accepting the mandate extension will
be issued soon.
MOON