The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Louise Arbour has expressed deep shock over the killings of over two dozen persons in Gaur. She has also appealed for independent investigations of the incident to hold responsible persons to account.

“I am deeply shocked by the news of at least 25 killings in Nepal. My Representative has today been visiting the site of the incident in Gaur to assess the situation and to support her teams currently in the region in investigating the circumstances which led to the many killings and injuries,” says the statement Arbour issued from her office in Geneva.

“Our teams confirmed, first hand, the killing of 25 individuals, most of whom died of severe head wounds apparently caused by beatings from bamboo sticks,” she states.

In her statement, Arbour has said that only a small number of law enforcement personnel were deployed to the scene of the incidents.

“I urge the authorities to take all necessary steps to initiate a full and impartial investigation into the killings and other violent incidents and to hold accountable anyone found to be responsible.”

Arbour has also stressed that such incidents must not be allowed to “jeopardise the peace process, which is so essential to bringing about the long-awaited enjoyment of human rights to all sectors of Nepalese society.”

“It is the responsibility of the leaders of all groups and parties to ensure that their supporters resolve their differences through dialogue,” the statement adds.