Nepal in United Nations Organization

 

United Nations Organization (UNO) is an international organization established on 24th October, 1945 AD. It was established with the objective to maintain international peace and security, promote sustainable development, project human rights, uphold international law and deliver humanitarian aid in the world. Nepal has taken its membership on 14th December, 1955 AD. There are 193 member countries in the UNO at present.

UNO's charter is one of the bases of Nepal's foreign policy. Nepal has been actively participating in the peace keeping mission of UNO continuously after being its member. Nepal has participated in the United Nations peace keeping force as an observer in 1958 AD and joined in UN peace keeping force when Israel invaded over southern Lebanon in 1978AD. Since the first mission of UNFIL (United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon), Nepal has been sending its troops as a part of Peace Keeping Force. Nepal police, Nepal Army and Armed Police Force are working in UN Peace Keeping mission in various countries like Haiti, Liberia, Chad, Sudan, Burundi, etc. Un Peace keeping Force carries modern weapons but use only for self protection. Besides, the soldiers, experts of various fields are involved in Peace Keeping mission such as electoral expert, lawyer, mine removal expert, interpreter, development and emergency aid workers, human rights monitors, etc. UN peacekeepers provide security and the political and peace-building support to help countries transform from conflict to peace.

UN peacekeeping is guided by three basic principles:

• Consent of the parties;
• Impartiality;
• Non-use of force except in self-defense of the mandate;

Peace keeping missions not only maintain peace and security, but also facilities the political process, protect civilians, assist in the disarmament, demobilization and reintegration of former combatants; support the organizations of elections, protect and promote human rights and assist in restoring the rule of law.

Nepal is the 7th largest peace keeping contributor to the United Nations. Nepal and its peace keepers are invaluable in maintaining world peace efforts. Nepal had played a major role to pass the special report against racial discrimination in 1966 AD. Similarly, when Nepal was in UN Security Council as a temporary member in 1968/69 AD, it had played a significant role to pass the report regarding the disarmament and ban on atomic weapons. Nepal's  role in the issue of right of landlocked countries and permanent membership of China to maintain regional balance is unforgettable.

Nepal and other member countries have been actively participating in the actions carried out by the UN to tackle the challenges created by the climate change and other current happenings. Pawan Jung Thapa, an officer of Nepal Army had been appointed as the Force Commander of United Nations Mission in Sudan in 2008. Nepal has become the head of Least Developed Countries (LDC) . Nepal, as a member, has agreed and signed in the UN Charter, resolutions, treaties, declarations and commitment of the UN and its specialized agencies. This justifies that Nepal has played a major role to make the United Nation's main objective of maintaining peace and order, a success.

United Nations has also played vital role in Nepal's development, conflict management, democracy and peace and order. The UN has been providing great assistance in the area of women empowerment, child welfare, protection and promotion of human rights. It had established the United Nations Missions in Nepal (UNMIN) , a temporary political mission to assist in the peace process in Nepal. The role played by the UN in the arm settlement after ten years long armed insurgency, election of constituent assembly, integration of Maoist combatant, etc. was highly considerable.