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The conflict-affected communities have demanded the passage of the proposed bill to amend the transitional justice act immediately and the establishment of a credible and victim-centered commission on transitional justice.

Although the Comprehensive Peace Accord (CPA) enters into the 18th year of its signing, ending the decade-long armed conflict, the conflict survivors have been denied justice so far, they have complained.

In a statement issued today by various 20 related organizations, including the Conflict Victims Common Platform and the Conflict Victim Women National Network, they have demanded justice by immediately endorsing the bill and establishing a credible commission centering the victims. 

"A commission should be formed after forming an independent and impartial recommendation committee for the establishment of a credible and victim-centered transitional justice mechanism. We want to draw the serious attention of the government to ensure the rights of truth, justice and reparation and implement the reparation-related programs based on the short and long-term needs of the victimized communities," read the statement.

The affected communities have demanded that the parliamentary committee and the entire parliament pass the bill tabled to amend the act that is sub-judice in the parliament by using their sovereign rights in a way that is compatible with the comprehensive peace agreement, the verdict of the Supreme Court, the concerns of the victimized communities and the state's international human rights law.

The sub-committee formed under the Law, Justice and Human Rights Committee of the House of Representatives tabled the bill in the committee around five months later.

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) is an international document adopted by the United Nations General Assembly that enshrines the rights and freedoms of all human beings. It was drafted by a UN committee chaired by Eleanor Roosevelt, accepted by the General Assembly as Resolution 217 during its third session on 10 Dec 1948 at the Palais de Chaillot in Paris, France. Adopted as a “common standard of achievement for all peoples and all nations”, the declaration commits nations to recognize all humans as beings “born free and equal in dignity and rights” regardless of “nationality, place of residence, sex, national or ethnic origin, color, religion, language, or any other status”. 

The UDHR is considered a milestone document for its universalist language, which makes no reference to a particular culture, political system or religion. The declaration directly inspired the development of international human rights law and was the first step in the formulation of the International Bill of Human Rights, which was completed in 1966 and came into force in 1976. Although not legally binding, the contents of the declaration have been elaborated and incorporated into subsequent international treaties, regional human rights instruments and national constitutions and legal codes.

All 193 member-states of the United Nations have ratified at least one of the nine binding treaties influenced by the UDHR, with a vast majority ratifying four or more. Nevertheless, UDHR has influenced legal, political and social developments on both the global and national levels, with its significance partly evidenced by its 530 translations, the most of any document in history.

This year sees the 75th anniversary of the declaration. The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, commonly known as the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) or the United Nations Human Rights Office, has embarked on a year-long Human Rights 75 (HR75) Initiative to rekindle the spirit, impulse and vitality of the UDHR and renew a worldwide dedication to human rights. The initiative aims to inspire new global, regional and national commitments, pledges and other takeaways from member-states, civil society organizations and other stakeholders. One of these initiatives is the Asia-Pacific Regional Dialogue, which was held on Oct 11. It was one of the five (Africa, Middle East and North Africa, Europe and Central Asia, Americas) regional dialogues mandated by the Human Rights Council held before the High-Level Event in Geneva on 11-12 Dec 2023 and other international and intergovernmental processes and negotiations. The results will contribute to the High Commissioner’s Vision Statement for Human Rights and the 2024 Summit of the Future.

The Asia-Pacific Regional Dialogue was conducted in English in a hybrid modality, both on and offline, with a limited number of places being available for in-person participation at the UN Conference Centre of ESCAP in Bangkok, Thailand. Only those participants, who received confirmation from OHCHR, were allowed to attend in person and fortunately I was one of them. 

Though regional human rights mechanisms are a crucial tool to advance the promotion and protection of human rights; to date, Asia-Pacific is the only region that does not have a region-wide mechanism. But, with around two-thirds of the world’s population inhabiting this region and the diverse and complex challenges it faces, regional cooperation for human rights should be a priority for all. Speaking at the opening session of the dialogue, United Nations human rights chief Volker Turk admitted it and said, “With this in mind, the Asia-Pacific Regional Dialogue looks to bring together member-states, regional organizations, national human rights institutions, UN agencies, Special Procedures mandate holders, civil society organizations, human rights defenders, youth organizations, academia and more to accelerate the conversation on regional collaboration to advance human rights and make further advances to establish a regional human rights mechanism in the region in the spirit of the UDHR.”

Russ Jalichandra, advisor to the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Thailand participated in that session and highlighted the role of ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR) as sub-regional human rights mechanism and advocated the importance of SDGs as well as just, peaceful and inclusive society. Sihasak Phuangketkeow, Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Thailand; Cynthia Veliko, South-East Asia Regional Representative, UN Human Rights; Rory Mungoven Chief Asia-Pacific Section, UN Human Rights were among the speakers at different sessions.

The dialogue brought together member-states, regional organizations, national human rights institutions and equality bodies, UN agencies and entities, experts from the UN and regional organizations, special procedures mandate holders, civil society organizations, human rights and environmental human rights defenders, youth organizations, academia and more (like youth and child representatives) to accelerate the conversation on regional collaboration to advance human rights and make further advances to establish a regional human rights mechanism in the region in the spirit of UDHR.

Taking everything into account, I would like to say that the 75th anniversary is an opportunity to rejuvenate UDHR, demonstrate how it can meet the needs of our times and advance its promise of freedom, equality and justice for all.

Although the Riyadh season has started in Saudi Arabia since 2019, Nepal is going to participate in the Riyadh season this year. This season is started by showing their religion, culture, art, sports, etc. by adapting the weather. The season started from 28 October 2023 in Riyadh city. It is organized by GEA (Cross Culture) run by the Saudi government.

On opening day, the season made a surprise return with the Tyson Fury vs Francis Ngannou fight, while the brand-new Kingdom Arena lit up red, green and purple with a grand opening, as well as Becky G and Kanye West performing. Bookings have been opened which include Boulevard City, Boulevard World, Via Riyadh, Ramla Terraza and Suwaidi Parks.On this occasion, Nepal will also participate in this season from December 10th to 12th, showing its Nepali originality by singing and dancing.

Singer Tirsna Gurung and The Collap Band will also participate, while local Nepali artists working in Saudi will also perform their ethnic and religious culture.

The exhibition will be held at Alsuwadi Park in Riyadh from 6:00 pm to 11:30 pm and entry is free. This is the first time Nepal has received this opportunity for which the Nepali Embassy will support. Annapurna Post will participate for the first time as a media person. has earned its reputation as an entertainment extravaganzaIn this season, including Nepal, countries like India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Philippines, Indonesia, Sudan are going to perform their performances.

In Saudi Arabia, this season is seen as a celebration of culture and heritage, capturing the essence of Saudi Arabia from its Najdi tradition to its current dynamism.

Al-Suwaidi Park will host seven different cultures in seven weeks during the Riyadh season, offering visitors a unique entertainment experience as well as food, music, entertainment programs, and folk dances representing different countries.

Riyadh Season 2023 includes three new and completely free zones, including the highest weekly auction and maximum zone for heritage market prices 'Souk Al-Awalen' and 'Riyadh Zoo', whose capacity has been increased by 25 percent, and 'Al-Suwaidi' Park' and new areas and diverse cultures and mobile music bandIn addition to being the host of the events, it is seen that the 'Treasure' competition will be organized in a new way, which will have a prize of 6 million Saudi Riyals, while the business performance at the festival will be worth 1 million.

Migratory birds from home and foreign countries have started flocking to the Chitwan National Park and surroundings in Chitwan district.

The migration of such birds including ducks, hawks and kites takes place every year to avoid cold. President of the Bird Education Society Chitwan Tikaram Giri said such birds have been spotted on the river banks and at water bodies. According to him, 12 to 15 species of ducks from foreign countries have been seen in the Narayani and Rapti rivers, and Riukhola.  

Saying the birds started coming in from August, he said many such migratory birds had arrived, and some others would reach by end-October. Even from the hilly areas of Nepal, birds come to Chitwan to avoid cold, he said.

Ornithologist Hem Sagar Baral said birds come to Nepal from countries including Siberia, Malaysia, Uzbekistan, Pakistan and China.  Birds like various species of duck like Chakhewa, Suiropuchhre, Malak, Khadakhade, Bijula and Gairi are among the migratory birds that visit Nepal to avoid cold, he said. "It is found that birds migrate to the southern area from northern one to avoid cold."

According to him, 100 of 150 species of birds that come to Nepal as visitors have arrived in Nepal this season so far. These birds would return from the south to the north after six months during the time of hatching, he said. These birds visit Nepal as during winter, the days are shorter and nights are longer in the north pole of the earth, and there is short time for them to graze, he said.

Particularly, birds living in wetlands, grasslands, forests and farmlands visit Nepal during winter, it has been said. There are 892 species of birds across Nepal with 650 species in Chitwan alone. 

Rapti, Narayani and Riu rivers that run through the CNP and wetlands in the surroundings are good habitats for waterbirds while the CNP, buffer zones, parks and community forests are considered good areas for wandering.