NHRC urges all to exercise restraint

Kathmandu, September 22

The National Human Rights Commission has expressed serious concern about the impact of bandh and strikes on the daily livelihood, employment, education, health, security and mobility of the general public.

“Identity, existence and dignity are very dear to all. Bandh, strikes and use of force cannot guarantee lasting solution to these issues. Therefore, we urge the government and the agitating parties to find an amicable solution to the present crisis by demonstrating maximum flexibility,” a press statement issued by the constitutional rights watchdog said today.

According to the NHRC, as many as 10 security personnel and 31 demonstrators were killed in clashes across the country in the past one month. It has also expressed confidence that the new constitution will guarantee recognition, dignity, freedom and equality to all Nepali citizens.

Meanwhile, Amnesty International has found that in many of the protest related deaths, security agencies used excessive, disproportionate or unnecessary force in violation of the international legal standards.

“As many as 41 persons, majority of them protesters, have been killed in recent weeks. We continue to urge the Nepali authorities to rein in the security forces and prevent them from using excessive force,” said David Griffiths, research director for South Asia at Amnesty International.

Tensions run high in Tarai districts because of controversial federal boundaries drawn up in the new constitution. “The new constitution has a number of major human rights shortcomings, which also need to be urgently addressed. In particular, the rights of women and marginalised communities are not clearly and sufficiently protected,” said Griffiths. According to the AI, security forces in Nepal must refrain from using excessive force on protesters.