The upcoming meeting of the Parliament Sub-committee of European Union (EU) is likely to adopt ‘strong resolution’ for revival of democratic processes in Nepal. The meeting is scheduled for February 20 in Brussels.

News reports say the EU has been working to put pressure on the Nepal government for the restoration of peace and democracy at the earliest.

Head of the UN’s Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in Nepal, Ian Martin, is set to brief the committee about the current situation of Nepal. Martin is to leave Kathmandu on Saturday to take part in the meeting.

Sushil Pyakurel, former member of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), and Dr Arjun Karki, president of the NGO Federation, will also present papers on the systematic curtailment of human rights and civil liberties by the state.

The EU is also expected to present its decision before the annual session of UN human rights body to be held in Geneva from March 15 to April 22 this year.

In another development, the Irish government has hinted that it would push a proposal of ‘smart sanction’ against the present government of Nepal.

Agency reports quoted Irish State Minister for Foreign Affairs with Special Responsibility for Overseas Development and Human Rights, Conor Lenihan, TD, as saying, “We [EU] are seriously considering imposing smart sanction against the king’s government without hurting the poor people.”

He said that Ireland would to propose the appointment of a special EU envoy to Nepal.

The EU has been critical of the present government since the royal takeover of February 1 last year. Recently, in a statement the EU dubbed the February 8 municipal polls as another step to legitimise the royal government and asked the King to take immediate steps to restore democracy and peace.