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OHCHR-Nepal Representative with Chairman Prachanda
April 22, 2008
OHCHR-Nepal Representative Richard Bennett on Tuesday, April 22 met with Chairman Prachanda of the Communist Party of Nepal-Maoist (CPN-Maoist) to discuss human rights issues following the Constituent Assembly (CA) elections in Nepal.
The Representative noted that the direct election has resulted in significant improvements in the political representation of marginalized groups and women. He encouraged the CPN-Maoist and other political parties in reinforcing this trend in electing their candidates from their closed lists to the Constituent Assembly, and said that it would be an essential step in combating discrimination.
The Representative also informed the Chairman about OHCHR's investigations into the killings of CPN-Maoist cadres in Dang, and emphasized the issue of judicial accountability for the past and current human rights violations.
The CPN-Maoist leader in turn stressed on the Party's commitment to end longstanding discrimination of women and marginalized communities within the framework of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) and related agreements. Chairman Prachanda reaffirmed the CPN-Maoist's commitment to setting up a Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) and a Commission on Inquiry into disappearances. He also welcomed OHCHR's continued assistance in the human rights elements of the peace process. The CPN-Maoist leader acknowledged the Representative's concerns about violence and intimidation committed by some CPN-Maoist cadres during the election process.
Source: United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR)
