UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) today strongly urged Nepali political forces, including those in government, to ensure that human rights of all individuals are protected. It has called on both Nepal government and Maoist protesters not to resort to any violence since it may jeopardize the very peace process going on since 2006.
The OHCHR expressed its concern on the likelihood of violence in the name of Maoist protests and subsequent government actions. However, Maoist Chairman Prachanda and Deputy leader Dr. Baburam Bhattarai have already reconfirmed that their protests would be peaceful in nature.
Nepal cabinet ministers, especially Home Minister Bhim Rawal, Defense Minister Vidya Bhandari and Media Minister Shankar Pokhrel have, all defeated in the Constituent Assembly elections held on 10 April 2008, have publicly called on security forces to behave Maoist protesters as armed fighters.
Maoist rebels joined the mainstream peace process in 2006 on condition of drafting a new constitution with inclusive and federal characteristics. Following the Comprehensive Peace Agreement signed between Maoists and the then Seven Party Alliance (SPA) in November 2006, Maoist People’s Liberation Army (PLA) men and their arms are in the UN-monitored cantonments while their political leadership has stood as the largest political party in Nepal.
Currently, most of the political parties at the initiative of the Nepali Congress and the UML have unitedly boycotted Maoists, who have frequently reiterated their commitment to the ongoing peace process.
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