Kathmandu, January 18, 2006

Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) supremo Prachanda has stated that his party will not infiltrate or use force or conduct sensational activities during the peaceful protest and demonstration planned by the sevenparty- alliance slated for January 20. “It is the Nepali people’s duty and right to uproot the autocratic regime for ever if it continues to impose prohibitory orders and suppress people,” stated a press statement issued by Prachanda today. Citing the 12-point-understanding reached between the Maoists and the seven parties, the Maoist leader said his party was fully committed to support the seven-party-alliance’s protest programmes. “The prohibitory orders issued saying that Maoists infiltration was feared in the programmes of seven-party alliance only expresses the autocratic elements’ coward and defeated mentality,” stated the press release. He said his party appeals to thegeneral public of Kathmandu and the country to take to the streets. He added that time has come to throw the autocratic regime away forever. “With the end of autocratic regime, Nepali people’s progress, democracy and aspirations for peace will be fulfilled,” added Prachanda. Meanwhile, during an informal Central Working Committee, the Nepali Congress lauded the statement issued by Prachanda. The meeting was hastily called in the afternoon following the statement from the rebel outfit earlier in the day. NC leader Krishna Prasad Sitaula told THT after the meeting that the party has decided to go ahead with the rally.

Rights bodies flay prohibitory orders

Kathmandu, January 18, 2006

Five organisations, including the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Civil Society for Peace and Development and NGO Federation of Nepal, have flayed the government for issuing prohibitory orders, saying that the orders violate the right to peaceful assembly guaranteed by the Constitution and international conventions on civil and political rights, to which Nepal is a signatory. Issuing a press release, the NHRC said today that the prohibitory orders have breached the right to peaceful assembly ensured by the Constitution of Nepal and those international conventions on civil and political rights to which Nepal is a signatory. “Nepali people should be able to enjoy rights ensured by the Constitution and those international conventions ratified by Nepal without any obstruction,” it said. The NHRC will regularly monitor the situation to see whether the rights to hold peaceful assembly, rallies and sit-ins have been violated, it said. Meanwhile, the Civil Society for Peace and Development also condemned the government for issuing prohibitory orders. “The government should take responsibility for creating confrontation between the security forces and people by issuing prohibitory orders.”