The International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) has welcomed the reinstatement of the House of Representatives (HoR) in Nepal and called on the new transitional Government and the CPN (Maoist) to declare indefinite ceasefire and jointly to sign a human rights code of conduct as one of several confidence-building measures towards peace.

A press statement issued by the ICJ on Wednesday, quoted Secretary-General Nicholas Howen as saying, “The reinstatement of parliament is a major step on the long path towards re-establishing democracy in Nepal and ensuring that democracy is stable and brings benefits to all people of Nepal.”

“Human rights and democracy have been courageously defended by a largely peaceful movement in Nepal. It is essential that the King of Nepal and the Royal Nepalese Army now fully respect the authority of the transitional Government and that the international community remains focused on and supportive of the huge tasks ahead,” Howen added.

The ICJ also urged to take series of confidence-building measures to create an environment in which the remaining questions about how Nepal will be governed can be resolved and in which a negotiated political process can begin to end the 10-year armed conflict.

“The 12-point agreement signed by the Seven Party Alliance and the Maoists in November 2005 sets out many commitments to human rights and the rule of law that should now be put into practice by both the transitional Government and the Maoists”, said Nicholas Howen.

The ICJ also urged the Maoists and the Government to declare indefinite ceasefires and to agree a human rights code of conduct, which the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) could be asked to monitor as confidence-building measures that reduce violence and pave the way to a political process.

The Government should also now move to stop the human rights violations that are being carried out by Nepal’s security forces.

The ICJ also urged the government to replace ordinances issued by King Gyanendra without a democratic process and that infringe on the fundamental rights and freedoms of the people of Nepal, including the Terrorist and Destructive Activities (Control and Punishment) Ordinance, the Media Ordinance, the National Human Rights Commission (First Amendment) Ordinance, the Social Welfare (First Amendment) Ordinance, and the Public Service (Second Amendment) Ordinance.

The ICJ appealed to the Maoists to take this opportunity to resolve the conflict through peaceful means and urged the Maoists to refrain from imposing any kind of bandas, strike or other actions that would cause further deterioration to the precarious humanitarian situation in Nepal.

The ICJ also urged the international community to continue to support the democratic process in Nepal.

Meanwhile, Liberal Democracy Nepal (LDN), a forum based at Nepal Study Center at University of New Mexico consisting of scholars, professionals and policy practitioners with a mission to promote liberal democracy in Nepal, welcomed the announcement by King Gyanendra on April 24, of the restoration of parliament and resumption of democratic polity.

A press statement issued by LDN said, “LDN believes that it is an appropriate and significant step to herald the restoration of full democracy and peace in the country,” adding. “LDN further believes that a Constituent Assembly (CA) process organized by the newly established democratic government and parliament will provide the necessary direction to a full-fledged liberal democracy in Nepal that will reflect people’s wishes.”

The LDN urged the political parties to start negotiations with the Maoists asking them to join the mainstream democratic political process and also urged the Maoists to completely renounce violence and demonstrate their commitment to a pluralistic democracy.

“The king should note that the Nepali people have completely rejected an active role for the king, “The Constituent Assembly will determine the relevance and status of the monarchy in Nepal,” the statement added. nepalnews.com pb Apr 27 06