HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS TO VISIT NEPAL, CAMBODIA FROM 25 FEBRUARY TO 1 MARCH

22 February 1996

Press Release
HR/4291

HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS TO VISIT NEPAL, CAMBODIA FROM 25 FEBRUARY TO 1 MARCH

19960222 GENEVA, 22 February (UN Information Service) -- An ambassadorial level human rights workshop and the signing of a technical cooperation memorandum highlight High Commissioner for Human Rights José Ayala Lasso's visit to Nepal and Cambodia from 25 February to 1 March.

The High Commissioner will leave Geneva on 24 February and arrive in Kathmandu the following day to participate in the fourth workshop on the establishment of regional mechanisms for human rights in Asia. The workshop, organized by the Centre for Human Rights and the Government of Nepal, will see the participation of 40 Asian countries represented at the Ambassadorial level or higher.

The High Commissioner will also meet the Prime Minister and the Minister for Foreign Affairs to discuss technical cooperation in human rights between that country and the Centre.

In Cambodia, where he will be from 28 February to 1 March, Mr. Ayala Lasso will meet the Head of State ad interim, as well as the two Prime Ministers and the Minister for Foreign Affairs. He will sign a memorandum of understanding with the Government on the implementation of technical cooperation activities in human rights.

In response to a request of the Commission on Human Rights, the Centre for Human Rights established an office in Cambodia at the end of 1993, as a follow-up to one of the major United Nations peace-keeping operations, the United Nations Transitional Authority in Cambodia. The office, which counts some 30 international and Cambodian staff, has been implementing human rights education and information activities, training the judiciary and other professional groups, assisting in the development of legislation, and supporting local human rights groups.

* *** *