INCREASED VIOLENCE COULD DERAIL PEACE PROCESS IN NEPAL, UN CAUTIONS

The United Nations human rights office in Nepal today expressed its concern that increased violence by political parties and affiliated groups, as well as subsequent retaliation threats, could jeopardize the peace process in the South Asian nation.

"I appeal to all leaders to ensure that their members refrain from violence and threatening speech, and respect the commitments made in the Comprehensive Peace Agreement, including to respect human rights," said Richard Bennett, Representative of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in Nepal (OHCHR-Nepal).

That 2006 pact ended the conflict between forces loyal to the former King of Nepal and Maoists in 2006.

In a press release, OHCHR-Nepal called on the leaders of political parties and groups allied to them to "ensure that their cadres respect the rights of other political parties to peacefully carry out their lawful activities."

It added that should incidents occur, all groups should press for respecting the rule of law, including cooperating with the Nepal Police to ensure that investigations are carried out promptly and that those responsible are brought to justice, instead of issuing threats or retaliating.

Yesterday, the Office released its "Handbook for Civil Society" which seeks to help people in Nepal understand, access and use national and international human rights mechanisms.

Mr. Bennett said at the publication's launch yesterday in the capital, Kathmandu, that OHCHR-Nepal's mandate has been extended for three months, during which the Office will continue its monitoring, advocacy and intervention with authorities.
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NEPAL: UN CALLS FOR END TO VIOLENCE BY ALL SIDES IN CHITWAN PROTESTS

NEPAL: UN CALLS FOR END TO VIOLENCE BY ALL SIDES IN CHITWAN PROTESTS
New York, Mar 6 2009 10:00AM

The top United Nations human rights official in Nepal is urging all sides in the troubled Chitwan district to exercise restraint and to resolve their differences through dialogue, following the deaths of two protesters and a policeman in the past two days.

"I have spoken with the Government, the police and representatives of some protesting groups, and voiced my concerns about violent protests and the use of lethal force," said Richard Bennett, representative of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in Nepal (OHCHR-Nepal).

"OHCHR-Nepal is extremely concerned about the use of live ammunition by police," the Office added, saying that one person was reportedly killed and several others injured, three critically, after police fired live ammunition in the Tandi area on the night of 5 March. A curfew has since been declared in the local municipality.

While police claimed they fired in self-defence after protests turned violent, OHCHR-Nepal is stressing that firearms must not be used in policing demonstrations unless there is a very serious threat to life and only once all other methods have been exhausted.

The Office is also extremely concerned at reports that two members of the Armed Police Force (APF) were attacked by protesters with khukuris (large knives) during a demonstration on 6 March. One constable has since died and the other is seriously injured.

"OHCHR-Nepal reiterates its call for thorough and independent investigations into all killings which have occurred," the Office said.

An estimated 13,000 people lost their lives in Nepal during a decade-long civil war that came to an end when the Government and Maoists signed a peace deal in 2006, leading to landmark elections last year.
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