Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade of New Zealand

01/21/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 01/21/2026 14:11

Human Rights Council 51st Session of the Universal Periodic Review Nepal

Ministry Statements & Speeches: 21 January 2026

Delivered by Senior Multilateral Adviser Clare Van Bohemen Hunter.

Mr President,

We warmly welcome the delegation from Nepal.

New Zealand commends Nepal's long-standing hosting of refugees and welcomes Nepal's bill to amend the Enforced Disappearances Enquiry, Truth and Reconciliation Commission Act.

New Zealand recommends that Nepal:

  1. Enact comprehensive anti-discrimination legislation to realise constitutional guarantees of equality, inclusion, and non-discrimination for all persons;
  2. Enact comprehensive legislation to criminalise all forms of gender-based violence;
  3. Implement the National Strategy against Discriminatory Sex Selection of 2021 to eradicate sex-selective abortions;
  4. Set the minimum age of marriage at 18 years for both girls and boys;

We thank the delegation for their participation today and wish them a successful review.

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