Kathmandu, February 16, 2006 The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights-Nepal today made public its report on the country’s human rights situation to be presented at the 62nd session of the UN Commission on Human Rights scheduled to be held from March 13-April 21. The report highlights arbitrary killings, detention, routine torture and disappearances carried out by the security forces in civil dress and cases of abduction, killing of civilians and threat to civilians by the Maoists. Of 300 disappearance complaints received by the OHCHR-Nepal since May, it was able to “establish” the whereabouts of 35 persons in custody, four of whom have been released while 20 cases of disappearances after arrest in 2005 continue to remain unaccounted for. “Arbitrary arrests and detention of suspected members or Maoist sympathisers continue to be a major source of complaints,” the report adds, expressing concern about the absence of guarantees required by international standards in TADO and the failure to respect in practice even the requirements of this legislation. OHCHR-Nepal chief Ian Martin, at a press meet organised by OHCHR-Nepal today, said it is up to the UN member states to decide whether to table the resolution on Nepal under Item 9 or 19 at the UN convention. Lauding both the warring factions for attempting to minimise civilian casualties, he called for the immediate release of three Surya Nepal staff from Maoist captivity. ‘SC verdict implies Feb 1 takeover unconstitutional’ Kathmandu, February 16, 2006 Leaders of seven agitating parties and a former minister today said the Supreme Court’s decision to dissolve the controversial Royal Commission for Corruption Control (RCCC) proved the King’s takeover on February 1 was unconstitutional. “The SC verdict clearly says the nation’s sovereignty rests on the people; people are the sources of state power; King’s actions can be debated in the court and Article 127 of the Constitution cannot affect other articles of the constitution,” said Nepali Congress leader Arjun Narsingh KC at a talk programme held by Sambad Club. He asked the King to take measures to correct his unconstitutional move by paving the way for revival of the dissolve House of Representatives. KC said the US Ambassador to Nepal, James F Moriarty’s statement regarding the seven-party alliance’s 12-point understanding with the Maoists should be viewed as the US official policy. “But what is clear is that peace and democracy will never be restored by suppressing the Maoists,” said KC, adding that the 12- point understanding was reached with the Maoists in a bid to bring them into the political mainstream. He said the alliance welcomed the Maoists’ decision to return to competitive democratic polity, not their violent acts.