UN Secretary General Kofi Annan

UN Secretary General Kofi Annan (File Photo)
Two prominent human rights organisations have appealed to the United Nations secretary general, Kofi Annan, regarding the “gross human rights violations” in Nepal in the name of municipal elections.

In a letter sent to the UN secretary general, the Forum for Protection of Human Rights (FOPHUR) and Human Rights Organisation of Nepal (HURON) said the February 8 municipal elections were going to be held in an atmosphere of human rights violation, fear and violent activities.

“We are extremely concerned about the forthcoming local municipal elections being held on February 8 in different parts of Nepal. These elections are being conducted in an atmosphere of series of human rights violations, intimidation, fear and violence, and do not meet the basic principles and standards of free, fair and genuine elections as adopted by the United Nations, particularly the Commission on Human Rights and the Human Rights Committee,” the appeal, which was also circulated to the media, said.

In their seven-point appeal, the rights groups said the elections were being conducted by a government which is liable only to the King – against the popular will– and that the polls would lead the country towards more confrontation between the King and the political parties, including the CPN (Maoist).

“The urge and expectation of the people of Nepal, and the international community have been totally rejected and the generous calls of your Honorable Secretary-General for mediation for peace negotiation with the Maoists have been neglected for the wrong reasons and with wrong intentions,” the letter read, stressing that the polls were being conducted in the situation of violations of all constitutional, legal and international human rights, particularly articles 19, 21 and 22 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICPR).

Highlighting the forced candidacies and clampdown of opposition political leaders and cadres, the FOPHUR and HURON appealed to the UN secretary general to urge the King and his government to “(A) withhold these elections that fail to meet the basis principles and standard of free, fair and genuine elections; and (B) Immediately enter into dialogue and negotiations with all major political parties and the Maoist for peace before conducting elections that lead to more human rights violations, conflicts and violence.”

The rights groups in their letter also said they “highly appreciate your attention to those matters and express our sincere appreciation to your great efforts” of the good offices towards a negotiated settlement of the ongoing conflict in Nepal.