Kathmandu, February 3:

Joint general secretary of the Nepali Congress Dr Ram Sharan Mahat said today that human rights, democracy, peace and corruption are global issues and they could not be defined as internal affairs of any country.

“Foreign assistance to any country is not limited only on economic assistance. No democratic country extends its support to other country in the absence of human rights, democracy, peace,” Mahat said addressing a talk programme organised by Progressive Front Nepal on Nepal’s present situation and international role.

Talking about Nepal’s current situation, he said that Nepal is facing the problem of King’s autocracy or deficit of democracy, restoration of peace and economic prosperity. “If the current political situation continues unresolved and the country’s political actors fail to address the crisis United Nations may intervene in Nepal on humanitarian ground to protect life and property of the people,” he said.

He said the international calls for returning to a functioning democracy and peace could not be termed as an interference in Nepal internal issues as has been claimed by the establishment.

India and western world suspended economic assistance and military aid to Nepal after the King seized power and started direct rule since last year, Mahat said, adding that economic and military aid from the democratic world largely depended upon how fast Nepal returned to a functioning democracy.

The democratic countries are still stressing the need for reconciliation between the parties and the palace because they do not want to see the Maoists prevail through military might, he said.

He also said the seven-party alliance reached a 12-point understanding with the Maoists to restore peace and democracy. “We also decided to go for an election to a constituent assembly hoping that it will help restore democracy and peace,” he said, “But the government accused the parties, media and international community of egging the Maoists on violence after the former attacked on Tansen.”

Former editor of Janadesh weekly, Shakti Lamsal, viewed that the Maoists raised arms

after the subsequent political changes from 1950 to 1990 made no progress in socio-economic and political fronts. He said Nepal’s problems would never be resolved without addressing the issues raised by the Maoists.