Kathmandu, April 17:

Seven human rights organisations today unitedly demanded that the incumbent “unconstitutional” government be dissolved and a fresh one be formed comprising the seven political parties and Maoists through a national consensus. They also urged both the warring factions to declare a ceasefire and begin the peace process.

The joint statement issued by seven human rights organisations and members of civil society at a press meet here also urged the government to lift restrictions and curfew in various parts of the country. They also called on the government to allow journalists to cover news on the strength of their respective identity cards and without demanding specific permits for doing their job.

Human rights defenders and victims’ relatives at the press meet, organised by the “Human Rights Activists and Public Campaigners for Democracy”, accused the government of targeting peaceful demonstrators and labelling them terrorists.

“The government has initiated action against my detained nephew Sudarshan Dhakal, labelling him a terrorist,” said Uttam Mani Dhakal of Deupur Gairibisauni, Kavre district. Rukmini Shrestha from the same place claimed that security forces arrested her innocent son Upendra Shrestha from a hotel in Kathmandu. Gopal Siwakoti Chintan, general secretary of the Forum for Protection of Human Rights, said victimisation of innocent demonstrators as terrorists was an extreme form of state terrorism. “We have already initiated the process of filing writ petitions against such activities of the government.”