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Nepal's
Civil War: United Nations & Human Rights
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Death
in custody of Maina Sunuwar |
15
October 2007 OFFICE OF THE HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS IN NEPAL
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Representative raises human rights concerns with CPN-M leaders |
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Mr.
Richard Bennett, Representative of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights
in Nepal, had his first meeting with Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist)
Chairman Prachanda and Dr Baburam Bhattarai on Sunday, 14 October. During
the meeting they discussed the importance of respect for the full range
of human rights - political, civil, social, economic, and cultural - for
the success of the peace process and for development in Nepal.
Mr.
Bennett raised some specific issues, such as concerns about the rights
to physical integrity, liberty and security, pointing to the use of violence
and intimidation by some cadres of the CPN-M and affiliated organizations,
as well as acts of abduction, including allegations of cadres' involvement
in the case of the missing journalist Birendra Sah. The Representative
expressed concern about acts of public humiliation and threats by CPN-M,
including those directed against alleged 'criminals' or 'corrupt' people.
He also noted reports of intimidation when asking for 'donations'. |
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Louise
Arbour
UN
High Commissioner
for
Human Rights |
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Mr.
Bennett also expressed concerns about respect for the right to freedom
of expression and opinion.
OHCHR
has been monitoring the development of the United Revolutionary People's
Councils (URPC) in parts of Nepal, following CPN-M's decision to activate
them as "a mechanism to resolve people's problems and help provide justice
to the people". The OHCHR Representative sought clarification on the role
the Councils play, particularly in relation to governance and justice.
Chairman Prachanda stated that they will not function as a parallel authority
and that the CPN-M remains committed to the Comprehensive Peace Agreement
(CPA).
OHCHR-Nepal
has previously noted that the weaknesses of law enforcement agencies and
the criminal justice system remain a challenge to addressing human rights
violations and abuses. However, the Office considers that public confidence
in the CPN-M's commitment to human rights is undermined by human rights
abuses committed by some of its cadres. OHCHR reiterates the comment made
in its June 2007 report into allegations of abuses of human rights by the
CPN-M and Young Communist League (YCL): while there are legitimate concerns
in relation to weaknesses of law enforcement agencies and other state institutions,
as well as delays in implementing the CPA, these arguments cannot be used
to justify people taking the law into their own hands, or any actions that
amount to human rights abuses.
Source:
Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in Nepal, October 2007
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Death
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