REMARKS BY ASSISTANT SECRETARY BARRY F. LOWENKRON TO NEPALI MEDIA

Thank you all very much for coming.  My name is Barry Lowenkron and I am the Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights and Labor.  I oversee the Bureau of the U.S. State Department that is charged by the President, the Congress and the American people to advocate for human rights, democratic governance, and fair labor policies around the globe.  My Bureau also supervises the writing of the human rights country reports each year.

The purpose of my time in Nepal has been:

• to encourage all parties to the Comprehensive Peace Agreement to adhere to their commitments to bring lasting peace and democracy to Nepal,

• to call for a firm date for the Constituent Assembly elections,

• and to examine human rights protection and abuses.

During my four-day visit, I met with government officials, political party leaders, human rights activists, and civil society representatives to review ongoing developments in Nepal. 

The U.S. strongly supports Nepal’s peace process and democratic development, and we will do what we can to help ensure its success.  We congratulate Prime Minister Koirala and the political parties for announcing that Constituent Assembly elections will be held by December 15, and most likely in November.  We now urge the Interim Government to draft and pass the necessary election laws and to provide security across the country.  Elections are at the heart of democracy, and the Nepali people deserve the opportunity to have their voices heard through free and fair elections later this year.

We remain hopeful that the political process will unfold in a way that will truly address the concerns and the aspirations of the Nepali people.  It is in that context that we remain concerned about Maoist actions.  The Comprehensive Peace Agreement signed last November paved the way for democracy in Nepal, but immediately afterwards, the Young Communist League was formed.  Moreover, the peace agreement contains clear commitments that have yet to be honored by the Maoists.  The message of the United States is clear: one cannot have ballots and bullets in a democratic process.  Intimidation and violence have no roles whatsoever in the democratic process of any country.  Nothing justifies the use of violence as a legitimate political tool. 

During my meeting with Prime Minister Koirala, I commended him on his leadership in securing agreement among the parties for an election date.  We both agreed that there is much hard work ahead, and the Prime Minister clearly stated that he would not be deterred by any effort to defer or derail the democratic process.  We also discussed the importance of ensuring that the voices of all of Nepal's people are clearly taken into account.  We hope that the political parties and government will find ways to listen to the voices of all of Nepal’s people and bring them into an inclusive, peaceful, democratic society.

Respect for human rights is a requirement for all parties, including the government and the political opposition.  In that context, I also had the opportunity to discuss the National Human Rights Commission with the Prime Minister.  I urged the appointment of new Commissioners, while stressing that this Commission, like all commissions in democracies, must be truly independent.  The Prime Minister assured me that he shares this goal and would move to ensure a fully functioning, independent National Human Rights Commission in the immediate future.

Nepal’s democratic future is full of potential but there is much work to be done.  I made clear to the Prime Minister and to all others in my discussions, that the United States stands ready, as a friend and a supporter, to assist at this critical time.  We strongly support a peaceful, prosperous, and democratic Nepal and look forward to working together toward that end.