A DAY AFTER THE KING’S Democracy Day message ignited fierce controversy, Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala met with the army chief General Rukmangad Katawal. During the meeting, the army chief is learnt to have briefed about the security situation across the country. Likewise, the PM also met with Indian ambassador Shiv Shankar Mukherjee. Furthermore, the PM also met with Supreme Court (SC) judge Anup Raj Sharma over the issue of constitution amendment. The PM reportedly discussed about the implications of the King’s message with all three of them.
A REPORT OF THE UN High Commissioner for Human Rights has said that significant improvements in human rights situation were observed immediately after the establishment of new government in Nepal , but many challenges lie ahead in ending serious abuses, upholding and strengthening respect for human rights. A report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights on the human rights situation and the activities the UN rights agency in Nepal tabled at the fourth session of the Human Rights Council said there were many positive changes in Nepal in 2006 including an end to conflict-related violations and credible restoration of the rights to freedom of assembly and expression. The report, which was based on information gathered by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in Nepal , examines the human rights situation in Nepal in the context of the peace process up to the beginning of January 2007. Stating that there are various challenges ahead, the report said ending impunity for serious human rights violations, defeating deep-rooted discrimination and citizen's security ahead of the planned constituent assembly elections in June rank high among them. The report further said lack of accountability for serious human rights violations in the past including killings and disappearances by the Nepali Army remain among OHCHR's main concerns. The report also expressed reservation over the Maoists' passivity to take action against their cadres involved in rights violations. "OHCHR noted with special concern that although the leadership said that action was taken against those responsible for the 2005 attack on a public bus in Madi of Chitwan district, resulting in the death of at least 35 civilians and members of the security forces, some of those responsible were freed after serving sentences of apparently two to three months of corrective punishment," the report said. The report further said that it is essential that state authorities investigate and, if necessary, prosecute cases of human rights violations by the Maoists as well as the security forces to end impunity.
AFTER NEARLY TWO WEEKS, the authorities resumed garbage collection from Wednesday following an understanding reached among eight parties, authorities and local residents of Sisdole area. The residents had refused to allow the municipal authorities to dump garbage at the Sisdole landfill site putting forth various demands. The meeting among the parties, authorities and the local residents held at the Local Development Ministry reached a nine-point understanding whereby the Ministry has agreed to prepare a national act to manage sold waste; and explore at least two more alternative landfill sites to address short and long term demands of the metropolis and surrounding areas. Likewise, the Ministry has also agreed to immediately initiate socio-economic development efforts in Sisdole area.
A REPORT RELEASED BY THE UNITED NATIONS says at least 36 children were killed, 113 injured and 37 children were involuntarily disappeared between August 2005 and September 2006 when the state security forces and the Maoists were at war. Of them, 29 children were killed and 70 injured in 63 incidents of explosions of landmines and improvised explosive devices (IEDs) during that period. According to the “report of the Secretary General on use of children in armed conflict in Nepal” presented to the UN Security Council, which was made public at a function in Kathmandu on Wednesday, altogether 512 children have been documented being recruited by the Maoists in this period. By the end of 2006, 1,811 more minors were found used by the Maoists. Only 172 of 512 minors are reported to have returned to civilian life. Similarly, 79 incidents of large-scale abductions were recorded during this period while other 45 incidents occurred in the name of law enforcement. 327 incidents of attack on schools were reported while 195 children were taken under detention by the security forces under the ‘anti-terrorist’ law. Similarly, eight cases of sexual abuse of children were identified – seven by the security force and one by the Maoists. The report notes that although many of the reported violations occurred prior to the ceasefire between the government and the Maoists, there were still serious abuses of child rights. "A serious concern since the April 2006 ceasefire is that recruitment and use, and abduction of children by the Maoists continue," the report said. Unveiling the report, Speaker Subash Nemwang highlighted the need to implement the report to protect the rights of children and expressed commitment of the Interim Legislative Parliament for its effective implementation.
THE GOVERNMENT HAS GIVEN GREEN SIGNAL to Yeti Airlines to start operating in the international sector. The Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation has given the green signal. The Ministry had earlier said it was willing to allow domestic airlines who had completed five successful years of operation to fly in the international sector. As per its call, the Yeti Airlines had applied for the license. Sources at the Ministry reveal that the airlines has been given permission to fly to Bangkok ( Thailand ), Seoul ( Korea ), Lhasa ( China ), Sharjah (UAE) and Paro ( Bhutan ). Bijaya Shrestha, executive director of the airlines, said that the airlines will now seek Air Operation Certificate from Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) and begin operation. “If everything goes as planned, we will start the operation within a year,” he said.
