Ban termed decision of parties to pause voting process a “historic opportunity”

Kathmandu, September 12

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon welcomed the decision of of the major parties to temporarily halt voting on the “Revised Bill” of the constitution and urged all stakeholders to use this “opportunity” to engage in meaningful dialogue.

Secretary General Ban’s statement comes after the agitating Madhesi parties — led by Federal Socialist Forum-Nepal — sought UN involvement in ending the ongoing violence over demarcation of provinces in Nepal.

It is his second statement on Nepal’s unfolding political chaos within the last 10 days.

Terming the decision of the political parties to pause the voting process as a “historic opportunity,” the UN Secretary General encouraged both the sides — three major parties and agitating Madhesi ones — to resume dialogue to find an amicable solution to the dispute over demarcation of provincial boundaries.

He urged the agitating parties to shun all sorts of violence in the name of protests and cautioned the government against use of excessive force against the civilians.

“The UN Secretary-General is closely following the situation in Nepal and is concerned about the recent violence and saddened by the loss of lives,” UN Secretary-General Ban was quoted in a statement by his spokesperson Stephane Dujarric. “He stresses the importance of dialogue and non-violence as well as respect for peaceful protest and freedom of assembly.”

He notes the historic opportunity that Nepali leaders have to promulgate a constitution that addresses the root causes of past and potential conflict and has the widest popular support, according to the statement.