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Promoting and strengthening the Universal Periodic Review http://www.upr-info.org Project “Coordination Meeting for UPR Stakeholders”: Outcome Report Multi-stakeholders National Dialogue to Foster Cooperation for an Effective Implementation of UPR Recommendations Kathmandu, Nepal 7-8 June 2016 Promoting and strengthening the Universal Periodic Review http://www.upr-info.org Executive summary On 7-8 June 2016, UPR Info, the Ministry of Justice of Nepal, the Nepal National Human Rights Commission, the National Coalition for Children as Zones of Peace and Child Protection (CZOPP), and the Informal Sector Service Centre (INSEC), with the support of the European Union, organised a coordinating meeting among government representatives, UN agencies and civil society organisations (CSOs) to discuss the implementation phase of Nepal’s UPR recommendations. The purpose of the two-day event was to ensure that all national stakeholders would be equipped with the necessary tools for maximum cooperation in the implementation phase of the UPR. The meeting aimed to foster effective dialogue between CSOs and Government representatives by creating a space for them to meet and discuss the way forward, and the possibility of securing partnerships to ensure an effective and inclusive process of implementation of UPR recommendations in Nepal. The June meeting was the climax of a nine-month project that began in October 2015, with the Pre-session on Nepal in Geneva, and in December 2015 saw a workshop for CSOs in Kathmandu. A new opportunity for collaboration will arise in 2018 with the mid-term report of Nepal. The UPR Info co-led event took place over two days. On the first day, 7 June, a preparatory meeting was held for CSOs to reflect on the December meeting, in order to discuss and update the implementation plan and indicators for UPR recommendations. CSOs were also prepared for discussions with, and trained on how to present their UPR implementation plan to government representatives. 7 June also saw a preparatory meeting for government representatives, which included 2 Promoting and strengthening the Universal Periodic Review http://www.upr-info.org training sessions on the UPR for representatives from the line ministries. The Attorney General, Mr. Hari Phuyal, made opening remarks during the ceremony attended by almost 150 participants, including CSOs and journalists. On the second day, 8 June, a multi-stakeholder dialogue was organised between CSOs and Government representatives to discuss the way forward, including identifying the opportunities for cooperation on how to implement UPR recommendations on the ground. The dialogue-day started with opening remarks from various human rights leaders, such as the Chair of the Parliamentarian Committee on Social Welfare and Human Rights, the Joint Secretary of the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers, Mr. Ramesh Dhakal, Nepal Human Rights Commission, Ms. Mohna Ansari, and the Deputy United Nations Resident Coordinator. The opening remarks were an opportunity to recall the need for further cooperation among all stakeholders. Building on this commitment, the speakers called on the government keep the door open to further debates on noted UPR recommendations, saying that in principle, every recommendation can be discussed. An agreement letter was adopted setting out the principles upon which future multi- stakeholders collaborations would be based. They agreed to continue working together, to meet at least twice a year to discuss implementation of UPR recommendations, to set up a governmental coordinating committee to be in charge of the implementation of recommendations of the UPR, UN treaty bodies and other international human rights mechanisms, to support participation of all stakeholders in the implementation process of recommendations of the UPR and other human rights bodies, and to include UPR recommendations in the plan of action of the Government with expected outcomes, assessment indicators, concrete activities, timeframe and responsible parties. This agreement, in our opinion, includes the key elements for a successful implementation of UPR recommendations. 3 Promoting and strengthening the Universal Periodic Review http://www.upr-info.org It is crucial that discussions between the government and CSOs are available to the public, therefore a press conference was organised to present the outcomes of the nine-month project in the country. In hindsight it is clear that journalists need further training on the UPR process. Nepal is a good example of cooperation among UPR stakeholders: CSOs and government representatives can and are working together. The openness that the government demonstrated and its commitment to include CSOs and the NHRC are extremely encouraging for future UPR related activities. Nepal is at the crossroads, with many opportunities for setting a high benchmark for the promotion, protection, and respect of human rights. We believe that the UPR process is perfectly tailored to achieve strong and sustainable results. Now it is the time to actively engage in the implementation of UPR recommendations, and UPR Info will closely follow up with its partners in Nepal and support all the actors in their activities. 4 Promoting and strengthening the Universal Periodic Review http://www.upr-info.org Table of Contents 1. Conceptual background ....................................................................................... 7 2. Main objectives .................................................................................................... 9 2.1. Civil Society Preparatory Meeting ................................................................. 9 2.2. Government Experts Preparatory Meeting .................................................. 10 2.3. Multi-stakeholders Dialogue-day ................................................................. 10 3. Summary of the two-day Multi-stakeholder National Dialogue ........................... 11 3.1. Timetable ..................................................................................................... 11 3.2. Day 1: Opening remarks .............................................................................. 12 3.3. Day 1: CSO Preparatory Meeting ................................................................ 20 3.4. Day 1: Government Experts Preparatory Meeting ....................................... 22 3.5. Day 2: Multi-stakeholders Dialogue-day ...................................................... 23 3.6. Better mutual understanding ....................................................................... 26 3.7. Indicators ..................................................................................................... 27 3.8. Noted recommendations ............................................................................. 27 4. Way forward ....................................................................................................... 29 4.1. UPR Info’s Asia Regional Office .................................................................. 30 4.2. Sustainability ............................................................................................... 30 4.3. Letter for cooperation .................................................................................. 31 4.4. Press conference......................................................................................... 32 5. Challenges encountered & responses ............................................................... 33 6. Outcomes and outputs ....................................................................................... 34 7. Annexes ............................................................................................................. 36 5 Promoting and strengthening the Universal Periodic Review http://www.upr-info.org 7.1. Annex 1. Agenda ......................................................................................... 36 7.2. Annex 2. Implementation Plan Template ..................................................... 42 7.3. Annex 3. Agreement “For Strengthening the Cooperation to implement UPR recommendations” ................................................................................................ 43 7.4. Annex 4. Participation .................................................................................. 44 6 Promoting and strengthening the Universal Periodic Review http://www.upr-info.org 1. Conceptual background In December 2015, UPR Info, together with INSEC, The Lutheran World Federation, Forum Asia, Fian Nepal and Plan International Nepal, organised a workshop dubbed; “CSO strategy workshop on implementation of UPR recommendations”. The coordination meeting resulted in a discussion among CSOs about the implementation of UPR recommendations and their role in the implementation process. The main outcome document of the meeting was an implementation plan containing CSOs expectations for implementation of UPR recommendations. CSOs also agreed on human rights priorities for the country reflected in an outcome charter. In March 2016, during the formal adoption of its UPR by the UN Human Rights Council, the Government of Nepal provided final responses to all recommendations it had received in November 2015. This process marked the beginning of the implementation phase. In order to ensure that all national stakeholders are equipped with the necessary tools for an effective implementation phase, UPR Info, together with its partners, organised in June 1) a one-day training for civil