Kathmandu, April 6:

The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Louise Arbour, has regretted

that no peace process has been initiated in Nepal. Addressing a seminar in Berne, Switzerland, yesterday, Arbour said: “Regrettably, no peace process has been initiated. Although the Maoists maintained a unilateral ceasefire for four months from early September to early January, it was not reciprocated by the Government nor further extended by the Maoists despite pleas from the Secretary-General Kofi Annan and others.”

Stating that although there were signs that both parties to the conflict have been somewhat responsive to the scrutiny and reporting of her office, she said: “Civilians are again the victims of conflict which is increasingly affecting urban areas, and democratic rights are again being violated and further threatened.”

“The Secretary-General has repeatedly expressed his readiness to assist in any manner that would help bring about a peaceful resolution of the conflict, but no negotiation involving all parties is under way,” she added.

Meanwhile, Japan today expressed concern over the arrest of political party and civil society activists here. In a statement, Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said: “As these measures by the government of Nepal suppress the free political expression of the people, Japan requests that no more arrests be made and those arrested be released promptly.” The statement further said that political claims should be settled peacefully.