Himalayan News Service

Kathmandu, March 30:

Political leaders and representatives of the civil society today urged the government to lift Emergency and restore fundamental rights, emphasising that ‘the basic rights should not be affected even during the state of Emergency’. They also called on the authorities to initiate peace talks with the Maoists to achieve lasting peace in the country.

Speaking at an interaction titled ‘Human rights during a state of Emergency’ organised by the Human Rights Organisation of Nepal here, CPN-UML leader Subash Nemwang said: “The declaration of the state of emergency in the present context is unlawful. Maoist leaders, including Prachanda, are moving freely while democratic leaders are either under detention or house arrest.” Nemwang questioned: “Who is this Emergency for?”

Former judge Laxman Aryal said the declaration of Emergency is unconstitutional and the formation of the Corruption Control Royal Commission is even more unconstitutional. Another former judge Krishna Jung Rayamajhi said all parties concerned should respect human rights. He urged the political parties to work for peace.

He said: “I can’t say that the recent royal move is right and that it will solve the country’s problems,” adding, “Every individual has the right to go to court and the Supreme Court does not have the authority to scrap non-suspended constitutional rights.”

Kapil Shrestha, a member of the National Human Rights Commission, said there was no need for the UN Special Rapporteur to come to Nepal to assess the human rights situation.

“It will only blacken Nepal’s image in the international community,” he added.