Wed, 05 Jul 2017 12:23:34 +0000
By KALOBWE BWALYA
ZAMBIA’s human rights record and maintenance of democracy is impressive, says Nepalese deputy prime minister and minister of foreign affairs Kamal Thapa.
Mr. Thapa has appealed to Zambia to support Nepal’s candidature for the United Nations Human Rights Council for the 2018 to 2020 term.
He said his country will expeditiously ensure that Zambia’s High Commissioner (designate) Extra- Ordinary and Plenipotentiary to Nepal Judith Kapijimpanga presents her credentials for stronger bilateral and trade relations.
The Deputy Prime Minister also pledged to ensure that the President of Nepal visits Zambia any time soon.
“Nepal is dedicated to the promotion and protection of human rights adding that it is his country’s sincere desire to contribute to the work of the UN body,” he said.
Mr Thapa also said Nepal has also put enough women in key decision making positions and has attained 30 percent women representation in Parliament.
Mr Thapa said this at a bilateral side -meeting with Zambia’s High Commissioner Ms. Kapijimpanga in New Delhi, India.
And Mrs. Kapijimpanga said she will inform the ministry of Foreign Affairs over Nepal’s solicitation for support to the candidature for the United Nations Human Rights Council.
Ms. Kapijimpanga said President Edgar Lungu has equally worked hard to appoint women to key decision making positions such as the republican Vice President Inonge Wina, the Chief Justice Ireen Mambilima, deputy Speaker of the National Assembly Catherine Namugala, director of Public Prosecutions Lillian Siyuni, Cabinet ministers, police commissioners, permanent secretaries and captains of some key parastatals.
“The constitution of Zambia consolidates inclusive democracy, pluralism, rule of law and envisions a representative and accountable government, social and economic justice and universally accepted human rights,” said Ms. Kapijimpanga.
