Himalayan News Service

Kathmandu, February 16:

International human rights outfits have welcomed the United States and European Union’s move of summoning their ambassadors to Nepal following the recent royal takeover. They have also expressed concern over the detention of journalists and human rights defenders and called on the international community to take immediate action to restore democracy in the country.

The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) welcomed the summoning of ambassadors and India’s stance that it would not support the takeover. It urged the international community to take the necessary steps to “ensure that multi-party democracy and respect for human rights are restored in Nepal”.

It urged the international community to freeze all aid to the country and suspend its seat in the UN for violating its charter. “A UN envoy must be located permanently within Nepal so as to facilitate the return to democracy. A UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Nepal must be appointed, and report on developments constantly,” said an AHRC statement.

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) expressed concern over the arrest of journalists like general secretary of Federation of Nepalese Journalists Bishnu Nisthuri, and district reporters Narayan Adhikari of Rastriya Samachar Samiti, and Basanta Parajuli of Gorkhapatra.

“It is simply outrageous that Bishnu continues to be held without charge,” IFJ quoted its president Christopher Warren in its press release.

It welcomed India’s decision to “review its policy of supplying military arms to Nepal and its call to other nations to do the same”.

Expressing concern over the recent turn of events and those in detention, New York-based Human Rights Watch, however, welcomed the release of human rights activists including Sindhunath Pyakurel, former president of the Nepal Bar Association. “International pressure must be directed at the army as well as the King,” the statement said.