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Nepal

Security Council Extends Mandate of Nepal Mission until 15 September, Unanimously Adopting Resolution 1921 (2010)

SC/9925

Security Council
6311th Meeting (AM)

The Security Council this morning renewed the mandate of the United Nations Mission in Nepal (UNMIN) until 15 September 2010, in line with a request from the Government of the Himalayan country, stressing that arrangements should immediately be made for withdrawal of the mission by that date.

Through the unanimous adoption of resolution 1921 (2010), the Council called on the parties, the Government of Nepal and the Unified Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) to take full advantage of the expertise of UNMIN to make progress in the peace process before the Mission's withdrawal, taking into particular account the ongoing management of arms and armed personnel, as called for by a 2008 political agreement.

The Council also called upon the parties to agree upon and implement a plan with a clear timetable for the integration and rehabilitation of Maoist army personnel, as part of expediting the peace process to allow the country to move to a peaceful, democratic and more prosperous future.

According to the Secretary-General's latest report, which was presented to the Council on 5 May, little progress has been made on main provisions of the peace process, which included the integration of the armed forces and completing the drafting of a new constitution by the deadline of 28 May. The Secretary-General recommended the four-month extension of UNMIN if requested by the Government.

The meeting began at 10:18 a.m. and ended at 10:21 a.m.

The full text of resolution 1921 (2010) reads as follows:

"The Security Council,

"Recalling its resolutions 1909 (2010), 1879 (2009), 1864 (2009), 1825 (2008), 1796 (2008), and 1740 (2007), and the statement of its President of 5 May 2009 (S/PRST/2009/12),

"Reaffirming the sovereignty, territorial integrity and political independence of Nepal and its ownership of the implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement and subsequent agreements,

"Recalling the signing on 21 November 2006 by the Government of Nepal and the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) of a Comprehensive Peace Agreement, and the stated commitment of both parties to find a permanent and sustainable peace,

"Acknowledging the strong desire of the Nepalese people for peace and the restoration of democracy and the importance in this respect of the implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement and subsequent agreements by the relevant parties,

"Expressing its continued readiness to support the peace process in Nepal in the timely and effective implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement and subsequent agreements, in particular the 25 June 2008 Agreement, as requested by the Government of Nepal,

"Noting that the deadline for the promulgation of the new democratic constitution of Nepal is 28 May 2010, and concerned that, to date, the political parties are yet to reach consensus on the new constitution or on extending the tenure of the Constituent Assembly,

"Expressing concern at the recent tensions in Nepal, and calling on all sides to resolve their differences through peaceful negotiation,

"Echoing the Secretary-General's call for all parties in Nepal to move forward swiftly in the implementation of the agreements reached, noting the Secretary-General's assessment that the United Nations Mission in Nepal (UNMIN) is well placed to assist in the monitoring of the management of arms and armed personnel in accordance with the 25 June 2008 Agreement between the political parties, and recognising UNMIN's ability to assist the parties in this, as requested, in order to achieve a durable solution,

"Welcoming the report of the Secretary-General of 28 April 2010 on UNMIN (S/2010/214),

"Recalling the completion of two phases of the verification process, welcoming continuing assistance with the monitoring of the management of arms and armed personnel of both sides in accordance with resolution 1740 (2007) and in line with the provisions of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement, noting the importance of a durable long term solution in helping to create the conditions for completion of UNMIN's activities, and noting also in this regard the need to address outstanding issues without further delay,

"Welcoming the completion of the discharge process for disqualified Maoist army personnel as agreed in the 16 December 2009 action plan for the discharge and rehabilitation of Maoist army personnel disqualified as minors agreed between the Government of Nepal, the Unified Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) and the United Nations, and calling upon all parties to continue implementing this action plan, with the appropriate monitoring and reporting activities, in accordance with resolution 1612 (2005), and 1882 (2009),

"Recalling that with the successful holding of the Constituent Assembly elections, some of the elements of the mandate of UNMIN as set out in resolution 1740 (2007) have already been accomplished,

"Taking note of the Government of Nepal's letter to the Secretary-General of 5 May 2010 (S/2010/229), which recognises UNMIN's contribution and requests an extension of the mandate of UNMIN until 15 September 2010,

"Recognizing the need to pay special attention to the needs and the role of women, children and traditionally marginalized groups in the peace process, as mentioned in the Comprehensive Peace Agreement and resolution 1325 (2000),

"Recognizing the need to address impunity and to promote and protect human rights, and to strengthen the capacity of independent national human rights institutions in accordance with international principles,

"Recognizing that civil society can play an important role in democratic transition and conflict prevention,

"Expressing appreciation for the contribution of the Secretary-General's Representative and the efforts of her team in UNMIN, and the United Nations Country Team, including the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights which is monitoring human rights at the request of the Government of Nepal, and stressing the need for coordination and complementarity of efforts between the mission and all the United Nations actors in the mission area, particularly in order to ensure continuity, as the mandate comes to an end,

"1. Decides in line with the request from the Government of Nepal and the Secretary-General's recommendations, to renew the mandate of UNMIN as established under resolution 1740 (2007) until 15 September 2010, taking into account the completion of some elements of the mandate and the ongoing work on the monitoring of the management of arms and armed personnel in line with the 25 June 2008 Agreement among the political parties, which will support the completion of the peace process;

"2. Calls upon all parties to take full advantage of the expertise and readiness of UNMIN, within its mandate, to support the peace process to facilitate the completion of outstanding aspects of UNMIN's mandate by 15 September 2010;

"3. Underlines that the current arrangements were conceived as temporary measures, rather than long-term solutions, and decides that, working with the parties, UNMIN should immediately begin to make the necessary arrangements for its withdrawal, including handing over any residual monitoring responsibilities by 15 September 2010;

"4. Calls upon the Government of Nepal and the Unified Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) to agree and implement a timetabled action plan with clear benchmarks for the integration and rehabilitation of Maoist army personnel, with the support of the Special Committee for the supervision, integration and rehabilitation of Maoist army personnel, and its Technical Committee;

"5. Calls upon all political parties in Nepal to expedite the peace process, and to work together in a spirit of cooperation, consensus and compromise in order to continue the transition to a durable long-term solution to enable the country to move to a peaceful, democratic and more prosperous future;

"6. Requests the parties in Nepal to take the necessary steps to promote the safety, security and freedom of movement of UNMIN and associated personnel in executing the tasks defined in the mandate;

"7. Requests the Secretary-General to report to the Security Council by 1 September 2010 on the implementation of this resolution;

"8. Decides to remain seized of the matter."

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