December 06, 2005

KATHMANDU:   The European Union (EU) – a major bilateral donor to the Himalayan kingdom– has called upon His Majesty King Gyanendra to declare a truce and uphold its international human rights and humanitarian obligations to create what it called a conducive environment for peace building in the country.

The statement came in response to the Maoist rebels’ announcement to extend their unilateral truce by one more month to find a political solution to the on-going conflict. The royal government has, however, been refusing to reciprocate saying that the Maoists can’t be trusted.

In the statement, the EU also called upon the Maoists to announce an immediate cessation of violence and to uphold their commitment to human rights and the rule of law as agreed upon with the seven political parties. Only last month, the Maoist leadership signed into a document with the seven party opposition alliance saying that they now agree to join the competitive multi-party polity, respect human rights and press freedom, among others.

The opposition parties and Maoists said they will launch separate struggles against what they call an ‘autocratic monarchy.’

The EU said a complete cessation of hostilities between the Maoists and the government was a crucial step towards a lasting peace (in the country). The EU also stressed on the need for the United Nations to help to broker and monitor a ceasefire agreement.