UN rights chief calls on Maoists to extend ceasefire, ‘govt should reciprocate’

December 1, 2005
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December 01, 2005

KATHMANDU: The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Louise Arbour, on Thursday called on the Maoists to extend the ceasefire period and urged the government to reciprocate the rebel offer, expressing serious concern over the possible resumption of full-scale armed conflict in Nepal and upsurge of rights violations.

“Secretary-General Kofi Annan has encouraged the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) to extend its unilateral ceasefire which ends this week, and has urged the declaration of a reciprocal ceasefire by the government. I add my voice to his call, as I am seriously concerned about the very real possibility that full-scale armed conflict could resume,” a statement issued by Arbour, said.

Arbour also urged the CPN (M) to work with the UN rights commission’s office in Nepal to ensure that its cadres respect the commitments to respect for human rights and the rule of law made in the letter of understanding they recently signed with the seven opposition political parties.

The royal government, she said, should reciprocate the ceasefire declared by the Maoists. “A mutual ceasefire between the CPN (M) and the Government of King Gyanendra and steps towards lasting peace are crucial to bring to an end a period of grave violations of human rights and international humanitarian law by both the Maoists and the State.”

The three-month unilateral ceasefire declared by the Maoists on September 3 has just two days to go while the pressure on the rebel outfit is mounting from the national and international community to prolong the ceasefire. Seven political parties that recently signed a 12-point pact outlining common political grounds have also urged them to extend the ceasefire.

The High Commissioner in her statement added that her office in Nepal had reported its growing concern over measures by the government that restrict rights to freedom of expression, freedom of association and peaceful assembly and affect the media, non-governmental organizations, political parties and civil society in general.

“Following the promulgation of a Media Ordinance which is in breach of international human rights standards and remains under challenge in Nepal’s Supreme Court, radio stations have been raided, equipment seized and persons arrested with no apparent legal basis,” she said and protested the local administration and the security forces’ act of obstructing the freedom of movement in order to inhibit peaceful demonstrations.

Arbour also called upon the judiciary to act independently in upholding the international human rights norms. “I call upon the judiciary to act independently in upholding Nepal’s international human rights obligations, and upon the government and the security forces to respect the rights to freedom of expression and of peaceful assembly.”