Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs, Hon’ble Bamdev Gautam addresssed to the 13th UN Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice today. Addressing the Congress, Hon’ble Deputy Prime Minister highlighted its significance in the context of the international community being engaged in the framing of Post-2015 Development Agenda. He also stressed on the need to strengthen efforts against the effects of national and transnational crimes on low-income and Least Developed Countries. The issues of crime prevention and criminal justice system are inseparable and successes and failures in implementing comprehensive crime prevention programmes reflect the nature and effectiveness of criminal justice measures, Hon’ble Minister said. He emphasized the need for a common approach to identify and address new forms and dimensions of transnational crimes and opined that an enhanced and better understanding at the national, regional and international levels was critical in that regard.
Also on the occasion, the Hon’ble Deputy Prime Minister expressed Nepal’s commitment to the principles of fair, impartial and accountable criminal justice system. He further expressed that the Government of Nepal has worked to a great extent in putting in place the policies, plans, programmes and institutions to effectively prevent crimes and provide criminal justice. He informed about the various acts including on mutual legal assistance, extradition, eliminating organized crime and money laundering are being implemented with a view to fighting and eliminating transnational organized crimes and initiation of process for necessary legal reforms in those areas. While expressing Nepal’s total commitment against impunity, Hon’ble Minister said efforts are underway to address gaps concerning all forms of criminal activities thereby addressing the need of criminal justice in a holistic manner. He also said Nepal’s judiciary system is independent and competent enough to uphold and safeguard, among others, the issues of criminal justice. The Hon’ble Minister also informed the Congress about recently established Truth and Reconciliation Commission, and Commission on Investigation of Disappeared Persons to look into the conflict era cases. Hon’ble Minister also said that with respect to its international commitments, Nepal has accorded high priority to the protection and promotion of access to justice and life with human dignity for all.
Earlier today, the Hon’ble Deputy Prime Minster paid a courtesy call on His Excellency Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Al-Thani, Prime Minister and Minister of Interior of the State of Qatar on the sideline of the UN Congress. During the meeting, both leaders expressed satisfaction over the excellent state of bilateral relations existing between the two countries. They also discussed on matters of mutual interests including increasing the demand for skilled manpower from Nepal, and inviting Qatari investment to Nepal in Hydropower and Infrastructure sectors.
On all above occasions, Mr. Lakshmi Prasad Dhakal, Joint-Secretary from Ministry of Home Affairs, Mr. Ganesh Prasad Dhakal, Charge d’ Affaires a. i. of the Embassy of Nepal, Mr. Nitesh Sapkota, Second Secretary of the Embassy of Nepal, and Mr. Ananda Subedi, Personal Assistant to the Deputy Prime Minister were present.
The Embassy also hosted a reception in honour of Hon’ble Deputy Prime Minister on the day of his arrival. Representatives from various Nepalese social organizations, journalists and members of NRNA ICC/NCC were present on the occasion.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Home Affairs Hon’ble Bamdev Gautam arrived at Doha on 11 April 2015 leading a Nepalese delegation to participate in the 13th United Nations Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice.
Embassy of Nepal
Doha
13 April 2015