UN Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights Kyung-wha Kang and OHCHR-Nepal Representative Richard Bennett visited Kapilvastu on Friday to assess first hand on what is being done to address the causes and impact of the violence in the district last year.

OHCHR had been present in Kapilvastu at the time of the violence and called for urgent government action to protect the civilian population from further violence, to assist the victims and to ensure that those responsible for the violence were brought to justice.

The murder of one Mohit Khan on September 16 triggered five days of violence that affected Kapilvastu, Rupandehi and Dang districts. The worst violence took place in Kapilvastu where 14 were killed, nine injured and several thousands displaced.

In a statement, OHCHR said it noted some important steps taken, including investigations by a special commission of inquiry and the appointment of a Chief District Officer from the Terai region.

OHCHR said there have also been encouraging local initiatives to bring together communities divided by the violence.

The UN human rights office stressed the need for further government action to address underlying causes of the violence, including tensions related to land and social exclusion, impunity for violence related to the decade-long conflict, as well as for more recent violence, and inadequate measures to provide security.

“Local initiatives to heal divisions between communities also need more support,” it said.

“All sectors should work together to find common solutions to grievances in a non-violent way and in the spirit of the peace process” said OHCHR-Nepal Representative Richard Bennett. nepalnews.com ia Feb 01 08