U.N. urges Nepal govt, rebels to uphold human rights

 The United Nations' human rights body has urged Nepal's multi-party government and Maoist rebels to live up to their commitments to protect human rights.

"Some steps have been taken to address impunity, but these measures have been far from adequate," the Nepal unit of the U.N. Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) said in a statement late on Thursday.

"Combatting impunity remains one of the greatest human rights challenges," it said.

Nepal's Maoist rebels, who have fought a bloody anti-monarchy battle since 1996 -- a conflict which has killed more than 13,000 people -- and the new multi-party government have committed themselves to a cease-fire as they engage in peace talks.

The talks began soon after the government was set up after King Gyanendra gave in to violent pro-democracy street protests in April, handing power back to political parties, more than a year after he took it.

But in spite of the peace dialogue, OHCHR says the Maoists continue with abductions, ill-treatment, killings and child recruitment. The security forces have also been accused of violations which have been documented.

Such abuses undermine commitments given by the two sides to respect human rights and they must end, it said.

"The peace process offers hope of lasting improvements in respect for human rights," the OHCHR said.

"But to achieve lasting peace and justice, it is essential the parties to the conflict translate their written commitments to human rights into effective, long-lasting action," it added.

http://sg.news.yahoo.com/061020/3/44718.html

Government agrees to fulfill demands of entrepreneurs

The government has agreed to fulfill the demands put forth by the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industries (FNCCI).

During the meeting with the entrepreneurs today, Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala assured them to fulfill their demands.
The Prime Minister has assured the entrepreneurs to fulfill their demands of providing peace and security to the industrial sectors and resolving labor and trade union disputes.
The Prime Minister also agreed to remove the weaknesses of the financial sector reform process and also to continue the previous provision of registering the firms on the umbrella organizations of businessmen.
The Prime Minister however expressed dissatisfaction over Tuesday’s general strike called by the FNCCI.
Talking to Nepalnews, chairman of the FNCCI, Chandi Raj Dhakal, said that the Prime Minister assured them to form a taskforce to solve the demands put forth by the entrepreneurs.
He however said that though they are positive about the assurance of Prime Minister, they are still not withdrawing their protest programmes, adding, “We will immediately withdraw all protest programmes when the government fulfills our demands.”
He also said that the Prime Minister assured them to raise their demands regarding the Maoist extortion drive and other issues during the summit level talks between the government and the Maoists.
The Maoists are yet to react on the demands of the entrepreneurs.
The recently held national convention of business community in Birjung had formed the agitation committee headed by Chandi Raj Dhakal to pressurize the government and the Maoists to fulfill their demands and announced a series of protest programmes.
Meanwhile, the Pokhara Chamber of Commerce and Industries (CCI) withdrew the general strike in Pokhara from today.
The strike was called following the scuffle that erupted between businessmen, who had taken to streets to make the strike called by FNCCI on Tuesday successful, and officials of Gandaki Truck Entrepreneurs' Committee on Tuesday.
The strike was withdrawn after agreement was reached to take action against the culprits after launching a fair investigation into the incident and providing appropriate compensation to the injured and truck owners.
Nine people were injured and six trucks vandalized during the incident.

Nepal businesses close in strike against extortion

KATHMANDU (Reuters) - Shops, industries and transport services were closed in many parts of Nepal on Tuesday in a strike called by a business lobby group to protest against extortion by Maoist rebels.

The powerful rebels, who are fighting to overthrow the constitutional monarchy, say they collect "voluntary donations" to maintain their 35,000-strong force.

Highways were deserted and thousands of people were stranded as a result of the strike called by the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industries (FNCCI).

"Extortions and threats by the Maoists or their trade unions are continuing," said Chandi Raj Dhakal, the federation president.

"We want industrial peace and a secure climate where we can run our businesses without fear," he said.

The Maoists who want to set up a communist republic in the impoverished country have been accused of kidnapping, extortion and other intimidating tactics.

Business leaders said the rebels were continuing with these activities despite a ceasefire with the interim government, formed after King Gyanendra gave in to pro-democracy protests in April. The two sides have since been in peace talks.

The Maoists were earlier concentrated in rural areas but are now active in cities too. Industry leaders say many businesses had either closed or had cut operations due to security threats.

On Monday, a Nepali court banned the strike saying it would inconvenience ordinary people ahead of a major Hindu festival. But the organisers were unmoved.

"It's a complete shutdown of shops and transport," said Sashi Pokharel, a journalist from the resort town of Pokhara, 125 km west of capital Kathmandu.

Four people were injured in Pokhara in a clash between groups backing the strike and those opposed to it, he said.

Residents in major business hubs like Narayanghat, Birgunj and Biratnagar said traders were persuading shops to down shutters but there were no reports of violence.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20061017/india_nm/india272580_1

Nepal hits standoff in negotiations over future government

Exactly four months after Nepal's government started peace talks with Maoist rebels to end a violent conflict that has left more than 13,000 dead, summit talks between Nepal's ruling alliance and top Maoist leaders were adjourned abruptly and indefinitely Sunday after barely 15 minutes.

Analysts blamed the impasse on the talks' "package" approach, where negotiators are expected almost simultaneously to tackle both political and disarmament issues at one summit meeting.

"Had the two sides sought to settle issues one by one, much progress could have been made by now," said Sudheer Sharma, a political commentator and former editor of Nepal magazine.

At the heart of the standoff are seemingly mutually exclusive demands: The Maoists claim that the military harbors lasting loyalties to the King, and refuse to forfeit their weapons until an interim republican constitution abrogates the monarchy. The ruling alliance, meanwhile, refuses to allow the Maoists into an interim government before they disarm.

The breakdown comes after several rounds of failed negotiations. For the population of one of the world's poorest nations, the adjournment of the talks, which had been billed as decisive, dashed hopes for an immediate end to the conflict and a new era of peace and economic development.

"The two sides have led down excellent principles in the form of past agreements. But there is no objective plan to implement those agreements," says Subodh Pyakurel, chief of Insec, the leading human rights NGO in Nepal. "The peace talks are gradually turning into a private affair between Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala and Maoist chief Prachanda."

Mr. Pyakurel was hopeful, however, that the immense pressure from regular citizens would compel leaders to resolve the protracted negotiations.

The negotiators had agreed on a peace-building road map that includes drafting an interim constitution, dissolving parliament, and forming an interim legislature including Maoist representatives.

While the two sides agreed on Oct. 10 to hold elections for a constituent assembly that would draft a new constitution by May 2007 - a key rebel demand since they started their "people's war" 10 years ago - they have been unable to agree on whether the constituent assembly elections should precede or follow the rebels' disarmament.

"The government seems intent on separating us from our arms before sorting out key political issues," says Krishna Bahadur Mahara, the head of the rebel negotiating team. "Still, if the government agrees on a republican interim constitution, we are willing to show maximum flexibility on the arms issue."

But the interim constitution drafting committee does not have the mandate to decide the fate of monarchy, says Ram Chandra Poudel, general secretary of Nepali Congress (NC), the largest party in the ruling alliance.

"Therefore, we are saying that the constituent assembly is the only legitimate body to decide whether the country remains a monarchy or becomes a republic," Mr. Poudel says.

The first summit talks were held on June 16, when Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal, better known by his nom de guerre, Prachanda, meaning "The Fierce One," made his first public appearance after nearly 30 years.

Nepal's Maoists began their "people's war" to end the monarchy and restructure the state in February 1996. King Gyanendra staged a bloodless coup on Feb. 1, 2005. In November 2005, the rebels entered into an agreement with an alliance of seven mainstream parties to overthrow the king's authoritarian rule. After nationwide protests in April 2006, the king stepped aside and reinstated the parliament, which, in turn, swiftly stripped the king of all his powers, including his control over the military.

From: http://news.yahoo.com/s/csm/20061017/wl_csm/oredtalks_1

Nepal loses in UNSC race

Nepal lost to Indonesia in the race for the temporary membership of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) for the year 2007/08.
The voting was carried out late Monday in New York in which Nepal got 28 votes against 158 votes in favor of Indonesia. Any nation that seeks to become a temporary member of UNSC would require to bag two-third votes of 192-member strong UN general assembly.
Being elected to UNSC raises the international stature in the world. Nepal had been elected as temporary member of UNSC twice in the past – once in 1968 and second time in 1988/89.
Meanwhile, South Africa, Indonesia, Belgium and Italy have been elected non-permanent members of the UN Security Council for a two-year term beginning January next year, according to media reports.
South Africa from the African group and Italy from Western European and other states group got the highest number of 186 of the 192 votes followed closely by Belgium which received 180 votes. Indonesia got 158 votes.
South Africa and Indonesia replace Japan and Tanzania who retire at end of the year and Italy and Belgium come in place of Denmark and Greece. But for the Latin America, the first round of balloting did not prove decisive, as both Guatemala and Venezuela, contesting for one seat from the region, could not get the requisite two-thirds majority.
Of 192 votes polled, Guatemala got 109 ballots and Venezuela 76. A second round of polling will be held to decide on their fate.
Originally, South Korea was also a contestant from the Asian and African group but it withdrew after its candidate Ban Ki-moon was elected next Secretary-General.

Govt refutes disappearance of 49 from Bhairav Nath

The government has said the report by the Office of the High Commission for Human Right (OHCHR) in Nepal about the disappearance of at least 49 detainees from Bhairav Nath battalion is incorrect.
Presenting the report prepared by Nepali Army at the meeting of the parliamentary committee on foreign affairs and human rights on Monday, defence secretary Bishnu Dutta Uprety said many of the detainees kept at the battalion have already been released.
According to the report, Atma Ram Bajracharya was handed over to his wife on April 2, 2004, Normala Bhandari was handed over to her brother on October 8, 2004. Similarly, Khadga Bahadur Gharti Magar died while undergoing treatment at Birendra Military Hospital, Chhauni on February 24, 2004 and District Police Office, Nuwakot released Hira Bahadur Royal three years ago.
Jalandhar Bastola died in a pressure cooker bomb explosion in Nuwakot on August 15, 2004 while Chet Nath Dhungana was handed over to family members on September 3, 2004.
Like wise Nima Dorji Sherpa was released from Singha Nath battalion, Bhaktapur on December 20, 2004 and Renuka Ale Magar was also handed over to her uncle.
The report further says Sudarshan Sapkota was handed over to his friend and Bal Krishna Shrestha was released from District Police Office, Saptari on May 25 this year. Buddhi Lal Tamang has been given two years jail term and declared unfit for other government service as he absconded from police service while Hem Narayan Shrestha was released on May 17, 2004.
The government has said this is the final list of detainees kept at the Bhairav Nath battalion, Maharajgunj. The report admitted that detainees at the battalion were given severe torture and punishment using electric shocks.
After the OHCHR publicised that at least 49 detainees were disappeared from the battalion, the government formed a five-member investigation committee under the leadership of Brigadier General Sarad Kumar Neupane on June 14.
The parliamentary committee has recommended the government for further investigation into the issue after discussion with the relatives of the disappeared citizens. Meanwhile, some MPs at the meeting refuted that the report was factual and demanded further investigation. The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has already said it would investigate into the disappearance from the battalion.

Govt refutes disappearance of 49 from Bhairav Nath

The government has said the report by the Office of the High Commission for Human Right (OHCHR) in Nepal about the disappearance of at least 49 detainees from Bhairav Nath battalion is incorrect.
Presenting the report prepared by Nepali Army at the meeting of the parliamentary committee on foreign affairs and human rights on Monday, defence secretary Bishnu Dutta Uprety said many of the detainees kept at the battalion have already been released.
According to the report, Atma Ram Bajracharya was handed over to his wife on April 2, 2004, Normala Bhandari was handed over to her brother on October 8, 2004. Similarly, Khadga Bahadur Gharti Magar died while undergoing treatment at Birendra Military Hospital, Chhauni on February 24, 2004 and District Police Office, Nuwakot released Hira Bahadur Royal three years ago.
Jalandhar Bastola died in a pressure cooker bomb explosion in Nuwakot on August 15, 2004 while Chet Nath Dhungana was handed over to family members on September 3, 2004.
Like wise Nima Dorji Sherpa was released from Singha Nath battalion, Bhaktapur on December 20, 2004 and Renuka Ale Magar was also handed over to her uncle.
The report further says Sudarshan Sapkota was handed over to his friend and Bal Krishna Shrestha was released from District Police Office, Saptari on May 25 this year. Buddhi Lal Tamang has been given two years jail term and declared unfit for other government service as he absconded from police service while Hem Narayan Shrestha was released on May 17, 2004.
The government has said this is the final list of detainees kept at the Bhairav Nath battalion, Maharajgunj. The report admitted that detainees at the battalion were given severe torture and punishment using electric shocks.
After the OHCHR publicised that at least 49 detainees were disappeared from the battalion, the government formed a five-member investigation committee under the leadership of Brigadier General Sarad Kumar Neupane on June 14.
The parliamentary committee has recommended the government for further investigation into the issue after discussion with the relatives of the disappeared citizens. Meanwhile, some MPs at the meeting refuted that the report was factual and demanded further investigation. The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has already said it would investigate into the disappearance from the battalion.

Prime Minister urges entrepreneurs to postpone general strike

Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala has urged the entrepreneurs to call off their general strike slated for Tuesday.

During his meeting with entrepreneurs this morning, the Prime Minister urged them to call off the strike saying the government is seriously working to fulfill all the demands of the entrepreneurs.
Stating that solution of the problem is possible through talks, the Prime Minister asked entrepreneurs to postpone tomorrow’s protest.
The Finance and Home Ministers were also present in today’s meeting.
According to one of the participants of today’s talks, the Prime Minister and Ministers are holding decisive talks with the entrepreneurs to resolve the issue by the evening.
The entrepreneurs submitted a memorandum to Prime Minister and Ministers about their protest programme.
A meeting of National Agitation Committee formed by the Federation of Nepalese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) decided to organize a general strike in order to press to fulfill their five-point demand that include providing peace and security; ending extortion, resolving labor and trade union disputes and expanding the dates for restructuring loans.
The demand was made during the recently held national convention of business community in Birgunj. The same convention had formed the agitation committee headed by FNCCI president Chandi Raj Dhakal.

Dubious MA-60 Chinese aircraft deal

Two Chinese-manufactured MA-60 turboprop civilian aircraft, which were initially ordered by the then royal government and subsequently endorsed by the current government, will soon land in Nepal.
An investigation by the Post reveals that the US$27 million (about two billion rupees) deal is fishy on three grounds: price, technical soundness of the aircraft, and their need in Nepal.
Price
Nepal is buying the aircraft at a grossly inflated price. When the Chinese manufacturer-- Xian Aircraft Industrial Corporation -- first approached the then Royal Nepalese Army in August 2005, it had offered three aircraft at US$32 million ($25 million for the aircraft and $7 million for spares) on a buy-two-get-one-free basis. Now Nepal is buying two aircraft and spares for US$ 27 million.
Another clear indication of the inflated price comes from the sale of three similar aircraft by the company to Air Zimbabwe for US$22 million in April 2005. A highly placed government source smells a rat in the whole deal and says, "Price seems to have been inflated by around US$7-8 million, which would go into various pockets as commission."
Technical soundness
The 60-seater aircraft is a new product of the Chinese company and its technology appears to be flawed. All three airplanes purchased by Air Zimbabwe currently remain grounded. The British newspaper, The Sunday Times, in its July 16 edition wrote: "One of the aircraft had to make an emergency landing at Victoria Falls, injuring many passengers, and the second one caught fire on take-off in Harare in early July this year (See www.timesonline.co.uk/newspaper/0,,176-2271971, 00.html)."
Pointing out the aircraft's technical flaws, the UK and the US Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) have denied it certification. An official even claimed that international reinsurance companies do not insure such aircraft since they do not have UK or US FAA certification.
Need
The aircraft are being purchased virtually without any need. So much so that it's still not clear who will actually fly them. The then Royal Nepalese Army originally ordered the aircraft but it has already informed the government that it doesn't need them any longer. So, the government is planning to pass the aircraft on to Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC) on lease. But officials at NAC said the corporation is unwilling to gamble on the technically unproven aircraft. Moreover, say the officials, the profitability of operating the aircraft in the intensely competitive domestic market is doubtful. Observing that the aircraft are of no use to NAC, a top official at the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation (MoCTCA) said NAC will not accept them at any cost.
Dubious origin
"The origins of the aircraft deal are themselves dubious," says a highly placed official. It was a deal pushed by a supplier and had nothing to do with domestic demand. The aircraft manufacturer wrote directly to then Tourism Minister Buddhi Raj Bajracharya. Following an invitation, Minister Bajracharya, along with Rajesh Raj Dali, then director general of the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) and other ministry officials visited the company. The team tried to buy one aircraft for CAAN, but this was rejected by its board. Later, the Chinese company wrote directly to then army chief, Pyar Jung Thapa, and the deal then moved ahead swiftly. Flouting financial regulations, Defense Secretary Bishnu Dutta Upreti signed an agreement with the company to buy the aircraft. Later on this was corrected with representatives from the Ministry of Finance (MoF) and the Chinese government also signing the deal.
Current government initially for cancellation
In his white paper issued after assuming charge of the ministry, Finance Minister Dr Ram Sharan Mahat had vowed to cancel the deal saying it was a "liability passed on by the royal regime to the state". Ministry officials said Dr Mahat had promised to cancel the deal even if the Rs 400 million paid to the Chinese company as advance was forfeited.
Dr Mahat even held a meeting with Chinese Ambassador to Nepal, Sun Heping, during which the latter agreed to meet the request and asked the ministry to send a formal letter.
"However, we suddenly received a letter two months later from the Chinese party refusing to cancel the deal," said the official. After that even Dr. Mahat dropped his stance and took the matter to the cabinet which swiftly approved the purchase.