The UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in Nepal has expressed concern over the arrest of 28 Madhesi activists and political party members from Maitighar, Kathmandu on Tuesday.

A press release issued by the OHCHR said, “The Government of Nepal is required under its international human rights obligations to respect the freedom of opinion and expression, which can only be restricted under highly limited circumstances.”

“The arrest and detention appears to be a violation of these freedoms – freedoms which are enshrined in the new Interim Constitution of Nepal adopted earlier this week. In addition, OHCHR-Nepal’s is concerned about the failure of the authorities to provide the legal basis for the arrests and continued detention,” the statement further said.

Head of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in Nepal, Lena Sudh (Photo source: OHCHR-Nepal)

Head of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in Nepal, Lena Sudh (Photo source: OHCHR-Nepal)
Madhesi activists were arrested for their involvement in the burning of part of a copy of the Interim Constitution, and 14 continue to be detained in Nepal Police custody under the authority of the Kathmandu District Administration Office.

“I am concerned that despite repeated requests the authorities were unable or unwilling to give an adequate explanation of the legal basis for the arrests and continued detention, including whether the burning of the constitution is a legal offence in itself. Freedom of expression must not be compromised by authorities other than in exceptional circumstances and in all such cases clear reasons should be given,” the statement quoted Lena Sundh, Chief OHCHR in Nepal as saying.