Nepal’s review under the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) was concluded on January 21, 2026. In accordance with the schedule under which member states of the United Nations are reviewed at the Human Rights Council every four and a half years, Nepal participated for the fourth time. A Nepali delegation led by Foreign Secretary Amrit Bahadur Rai, and comprising Ram Prasad Subedi, Ambassador of Nepal to Switzerland, and Ramji Danai, Joint Secretary at the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers, participated on behalf of Nepal.
During the review, Foreign Secretary Amrit Bahadur Rai presented the State Report. The report included issues related to the progress achieved and challenges faced by Nepal in the field of human rights over the past four and a half years. The report presented by Secretary Rai highlighted the ongoing efforts to realize constitutionally guaranteed rights, as well as details of the progress Nepal has achieved under the principles of inclusion and non-discrimination.
During the review, 103 countries commended Nepal for the progress it has made in the protection and promotion of human rights and provided suggestions regarding actions to be undertaken in the coming days to further guarantee human rights. The recommendations received by Nepal included ending constitutional and legal discrimination related to citizenship; eliminating harmful practices against women and children such as child marriage; ending caste-based discrimination and untouchability; protecting victims of trafficking of women and children; safeguarding the rights of persons with disabilities; protecting the rights of sexual minorities, particularly granting legal recognition to intersex marriage; ending violence against women; and bringing transitional justice to a conclusion. Likewise, recommendations were made to constitute the National Human Rights Commission in accordance with the Paris Principles and to make it adequately resourced, as well as to ensure free and compulsory education, access to safe drinking water, universal health services, and the elimination of child labor.
The review was attended by Samjha Shrestha from the Secretariat of INSEC, the National Network of Nepali Non-Governmental Organizations for the UPR, and Bhakta BK from network member Equality Nepal.