However, in the course of 2023, Nepal experienced a continued parliamentary stalemate, corruption scandals, and even communal violence between Hindus and Muslims in the Terai region. Discriminatory practices to the detriment of Dalits, indigenous people and other marginalised communities, and prevailing patriarchy, continue to undermine equality in Nepal. For civil society organisations (CSOs), the applicable regulatory frameworks and their 210 various administrative hurdles create a less conducive environment. As a growing phenomenon, issues with mis- and disinformation, as well as cybercrime and cyber threats should be noted, with women journalists being prime targets. The negative impacts of climate change, i.e. rapid warming in the Himalayas and the melting of glaciers, pose increasing problems in the areas of health, safe water and sanitation and adequate food and housing, contributing to internal migration. The plight of Bhutanese and Tibetan refugees remains an issue.

On a positive side, the Citizenship Act, having entered into force in June 2023, has opened the possibility of obtaining citizenship for hundreds of thousands of stateless Nepalis. Concerning sexual minorities, an order of the Supreme Court in June paved the way for the first same-sex marriage registration in Nepal in November 2023.

2. EU action - key focus areas: Protecting and empowering individuals: A new EU-funded four-year project on storytelling of survivors and digital documentation of the armed conflict started in January 2023. The project also facilitates the implementation of Phase II of Nepal’s National Action Plan on the Women, Peace and Security agenda.

A three-year project working with freed bonded labourers (Haliyas) concluded in 2023. Beneficiaries of the project received livelihood support and ID cards, which will enable them to access socio-economic rehabilitation programmes.

Building resilient, inclusive and democratic societies: The implementation of a new four-year bilateral EU-Nepal programme, titled ‘Empowered Women, Prosperous Nepal’, commenced in early 2023. The programme, implemented through UN agencies, will address the key drivers of gender inequality in Nepal through an integrated gender transformative approach.

The EU Delegation organised a roundtable on ‘Business and Human Rights’ in the margins of the first ever EU-Nepal Business Forum in May 2023. As follow-up, the EU will support the implementation of Nepal’s National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights, adopted in December 2023.

Promoting a global system for human rights and democracy: Following Nepal’s Universal Periodic Review in 2021, the Government of Nepal committed to update the National Human Rights Action Plan (NHRAP), which process is ongoing. Once completed, the EU can assist the promotion of the new NHRAP, including through supporting human rights education.

New technologies: harnessing opportunities and addressing challenges: A new project, continuing one of a similar nature, started in early 2023 with the objective of capacity-building and creating a conducive environment for an independent media. The project is implemented with the support of local governments, with their accountability in focus for the protection of independent media and the right to information.

Delivering by working together: The EU, Germany, Finland and France continued to implement programmes in a diverse range of topics. These included gender equality and the socio-economic empowerment of women; education; nutrition; water and sanitation; support to victims of conflict; to Dalits and other marginalized communities; to the implementation of the women, peace and security agenda; training of police officers on combating online crimes against children; and LGBTI awareness and sensitisation. Some of these programmes were implemented jointly, in a Team Europe approach, by the EU Delegation and EU Member States’ Embassies on the ground.

3. EU bilateral political engagement: In February 2023, EU Commissioner for International Partnerships, Jutta Urpilainen, paid an official visit to Nepal, and launched with Germany, Finland and France, a Team Europe Initiative on Green Recovery under Global Gateway aimed at boosting Nepal’s recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic by assisting Nepal’s efforts to create green growth and jobs. The 14th EU-Nepal Joint Commission in February 2023 discussed political relations, as well as human rights and issues of good governance in an open and constructive manner.

4. EU financial engagement: The above-mentioned Team Europe Initiative on Green Recovery is funded with more than EUR 200 million for 2021-2024, including EUR 142 million from the EU budget and over EUR 60 million from Finland and Germany. The programme supports small farmers and the agro-forestry sector, increased energy access and other vital services for the population such as water supply, sanitation and nutrition services as well as education, while fostering increased participation of women in leadership and the economy.

In addition, the EU’s sectoral programmes and projects in the areas of water and sanitation, nutrition, education, local adaptation to climate change, women empowerment, all contributed to the promotion of socio-economic rights. The federalism support programme focused on strengthening the capacities of provincial and local governments.

5. Multilateral context: Nepal was a member of the UN Human Rights Council until the end of 2023, and continues its membership in the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) throughout 2024, and as such, holds a special responsibility to promote gender equality at national and international levels. Nepal remains fully committed to a rules-based international order and the principles of the UN Charter.  

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