The United States hs condemned the detention of opposition political party and civil society activists in advance of political demonstrations scheduled for April 6-9 in Kathmandu on Wednesday. ” The arrests and harassment of pro-democracy activists violate their fundamental civil rights,” said a statement issued by the US embassy in Kathmandu this evening.

“The United States calls on the Government of Nepal to release these and other detained activists who have been held for voicing their opposition to autocratic rule in Nepal,” said the statement. ” Dialogue between Nepal’s legitimate political forces — the King and opposition political parties — is the only effective way to return Nepal to democracy and address its Maoist insurgency. Such a dialogue, however, is not possible in a climate in which the freedoms of speech and assembly are suppressed,” the statement added.

“We also urge the political parties and civil society to take steps to ensure their planned demonstrations in the coming days remain peaceful,” the US government said.

The US is the first foreign government to condemn Wednesday’s arrest of opposition leaders and professionals in the country. nepalnews.com by Apr 05 06