Kathmandu, May 4

Human Rights activist Padma Ratna Tuladhar, who was a mediator in talks between the government and the Maoists earlier, today said both the sides should first address human rights issues before sitting for a new round of talks.

“The environment for a dialogue has been prepared. It seems talks can take place anytime. But I think both the parties are still not serious about a dialogue that could bear fruit,” he said, adding that both the sides have not shown concern over human rights, specially on the convention that bans landmines.

Addressing an interaction on landmines, Tuladhar urged both the sides to be serious on issues related to human rights before sitting for talks.

According to former NHRC member professor Kapil Shrestha, even the democratic government is showing little interest in ratifying the Human Rights Convention.