Kathmandu, December 10:

Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala said today that he will not compromise with the independence and sovereignty of the country while resolving transitional problems.

“We should hold the Constituent Assembly election; otherwise we will be proven as visionless and superficial persons,” Koirala said while speaking at a function organised today by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) to mark 59th International Human Rights Day.

“All the problems have been created due to our lack of vision,” Koirala said. In the absence of democracy, there will be no human rights, he added.

The Prime Minister said there would be no new Nepal unless everybody — from the king to common people — think in a new way. “Only then can we step into a new era,” he added.

Without naming any political party, Koirala said nobody has prepared any detailed plan about the structure of a republican state and a federal set-up.

“Federal republican set-up is a vague term if we do not decide on what kind of structure we want,” he added. “We must first be prepared on what kind of republic and federal structure we want. Otherwise it will create confusion,” Koirala said.

The Prime Minister also called the UN to bridge gaps between the rich and poor so that the rights of the people will be respected. “Otherwise, there will be a disaster,” he added.

Stating that he does not have any deep knowledge on human rights, the Prime Minister said that human rights and democracy are interrelated.

Chief of the NHRC, Kedar Nath Upadhayaya, called on the government, political parties, civil society, NGOs and INGOs to protect human rights.

“Democratic system and government accountable to the people are interrelated parts to uphold human rights and rule of law,” he said, adding that the CA election is essential to ensure the rights of the people.

UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, Matthew Kahane, said that protecting human rights is needed to respect individual rights.

Saying that the rights situation in the country is poor, UN OHCHR-Nepal chief Richard Bennett called all to resolve various problems including the Tarai issue and respect the rights of women, indigenous and disabled people.