ICPD+20 Review Process
3 September, 2013
Amnesty International Nepal’s delegation handed over a petition with recommendations on ICPD+20 on 3 September, 2013 to the Secretary of Ministry of Health and Population(MoHP) Dr. Prabin Mishra .
AI delegates urged the government to ensure that the outcome of the Regional Population Conference reaffirms the Cairo agenda, fully acknowledges relevant human rights standards and obligations which have evolved since 1994, envisions practical measures to address gaps in and challenges to effective ICPD implementation and commits governments to reporting the realization of sexual and reproductive rights through human rights accountability mechanisms.
AI Nepal also drew the attention of the Health Secretary and others towards taking into account the need for a systematic, comprehensive and integrated approach to population and development issues and asked to act more forcefully to strengthen both commitments and action in the area of Sexual and Reproductive Rights for all.
Secretary Mishra expressed his commitment to implement the recommendations made by Amnesty International. “We need support from everyone to move ahead to implement programs, policies and commitments made by MoHP in sector of health, gender equality and ICPD program of action.” He added, “The Government has already recognized reproductive rights in the Interim constitution of Nepal and we have achieved a lot in improving maternal, neonatal and child health ratios. We have succeeded to reduce maternal mortality and improved immunization coverage.”
He further said that poverty and lack of education are hindrance for population and development and that the government is trying to do its best to improve the health sector but faces problems due to lack of budget.
The petition gathered over 20,000 signatures from all across Nepal. It was handed over to Secretary Mishra by Shambhu Thakur, head of AI Nepal delegation and Chairperson of AI Nepal. Dr. Badri Pokhrel, head of Population division, was also present.
The ICPD+20 review for the United Nation Economic and Social Commission on Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) Region is going to be held shortly from 16 to 20 September in Bangkok, Thailand.