Kathmandu  - The United Nations' high commissioner for human rights said Sunday that she has asked the Nepalese government for an extension of term for the UN human rights office in Nepal.

Navanethem Pillay said she asked Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal to extend the terms of the Office of High Commissioner for Human Rights-Nepal by another three years after the current term expires in June.

"I believe the work of my office will support Nepal's efforts to address the remaining challenges to the peace process and the human rights issues that were both a cause and the consequence of the conflict," the UN rights chief said at the end of a visit to the country.

Pillay met the president, prime minister, peace and reconstruction minister and other politicians as talks centred on the government's commitment to guarantee human rights.

"The confidence bestowed on the prime minister by the people of Nepal through an historic election places upon him a special responsibility," Pillay said.

"The Nepalese people, who have suffered long years of deprivation and denial as a result of conflict, are entitled to have their human rights respected and fulfilled."

Pillay also expressed concerns over growing attacks on human rights defenders and journalists across Nepal in recent months.

The government needs to take concrete steps to ensure the security of human rights defenders, including journalists, who are the first line in defence of human rights, Pillay said.

OHCHR-Nepal was established in 2005 during the peak of Maoist insurgency amid accusations of growing human rights violations by both government and rebel forces.

The UN office in the past has been critical of the government for failing to prosecute serious human rights violations.

It has also accused the Maoists of preventing internally displaced people from returning home by threatening or assaulting them.

According to the UN, internally displaced people are those who have been forced to flee their homes to avoid the effects of armed conflict, violence and violations of human rights but have not crossed an internationally recognized state borders.

It is estimated up to 200,000 people fled their home during Nepal's decade-long insurgency that left over 14,000 people dead. (dpa)