Security Council sets up UN political mission in Nepal

United Nations, Jan 24 (UNI) The Security Council has established a UN political mission in Nepal(UNMIN) to oversee the peace process in the Himalayan kingdom, following an historic agreement reached in November between the Maoists and the government.

The agreement aimed at ending a decade of bloody civil war that killed about 15,000 people and displaced 1,00,000.

By adopting a unanimous resolution yesterday, the council decided that the 186-member UN political mission in Nepal, to be headed by a special representative of Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, who will presently have a 12-month mandate.

The council also took note of the UN chief's expectation that the operation "will be a focussed mission of limited duration." The resolution outlined main tasks for the mission, which will manage arms and armed personnel from both sides, in line with the provisions of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement and back elections scheduled for this year.

As part of its work, the UNMIN will "provide technical support for planning, preparation and conduct of the election of a Constituent Assembly in a free and fair atmosphere, in consultation with the parties" and "provide a small team of electoral monitors to review all technical aspects of the electoral process, and report on the conduct of the election." The Council noted that both sides had asked for UN assistance in implementing key aspects of the agreement, and also recognized the "strong desire of the Nepalese people for peace and restoration of democracy." The powerful 15-member body, which focuses on global peacekeeping, further highlighted to pay "special attention" to the needs of women, children and traditionally marginalized groups.

A 35-member advance team is currently in Nepal and is registering and safeguarding weapons of the former warring parties.

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Louise Arbour is now on a visit to Nepal calling upon the government to bring to book the human rights violators over the past decade.

Some 25 election experts are also being sent to Kathmandu to oversee the upcoming elections.

UNI