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VOL. 27, NO. 30, April 04, 2008 (Chaitra 22 2064 B.S.) |
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Violence should have no place in this Constituent Assembly Election
- Ian Martin
As there is concern over growing violence in the country, IAN MARTIN, special representative of the secretary-General in Nepal, has been traveling in different parts of Nepal. Excerpts of his recent press meet of Nepalgunj.
How do you see the growing elections violence?
The first is that violence should have no place in this Constituent Assembly election. I am conscious that it is here in Banke that the killing of an election candidate, Mr. Kamal Adhikari, took place, and I extend my condolences to his family. And I equally deplore the deaths of Maoist cadres and all too many other injuries that have taken place in clashes during this election campaign. I can assure anyone that those who are responsible for these acts, whatever cause they are trying to promote, will lose all sympathy from the international community.
How about the elections code of conduct?
All political parties should respect the electoral Code of Conduct and, in particular, the right of other political parties to campaign freely in any district or village of the country in which they wish to do so. That message was of course given strongly by the Chief Election Commissioner to leaders of political parties yesterday, and I support him and the Election Commission in his insistence that the Code of Conduct should be observed. So far as the international community is concerned, this is going to be the most observed election ever in Nepal, with more than 700, I think now more than 800, international observers present by polling day itself.
UNMIN monitors the weapons inside the camps. But it has been seen that weapons from Rolpa?
The weapons that you referred to in Rolpa were two rifles that had been retained at one of the cantonment sites for perimeter security. It appears that they had been taken by a group of three people who were providing security to Deputy Commander Pasang. But it was a breach of agreement for those weapons and those individuals to be outside the cantonment sites. Just as it was also a breach of agreement for additional personnel from the cantonments to come out to the rallies held by Chairman Prachanda and provide additional security at those rallies.
The incidents of attacks and killings have increased in this process. Various leaders are saying that if Maoist atrocities are increasing, the Nepal Army can be mobilized. How do you look at it?
I think I have already made it clear that it is not for UNMIN to say whether or not the Nepal Army should be used, but if it is to be used outside the existing agreements, then those agreements have to be re-negotiated. But I am not going to speculate about an increase in incidents of violence, there have been too many acts of violence, as I have made clear, many indeed involving Maoist cadres but some involving cadres of other political parties amongst themselves.
What is the overall security situation throughout the country? Another question is, the UNMIN report says Maoists have violated the Code of Conduct – what has Prachanda got to say about this?
Well, we have tried to present now in two reports a balanced assessment of the conditions around the country, and I believe that we have done that in as an objective a way as possible, based not just on allegations by one political party against another, or even on media reports, but based on monitoring of our own personnel and OHCHR’s human rights officers. I have had two opportunities to discuss our assessment with Chairman
Incidents of violence and highhandedness are increasing. How does UNMIN study and make the reports?
Well, the manner in which we are trying to assess the situation is, as I say, by investigating for ourselves as many as possible of the incidents that take place or are alleged to have taken place. As I have made very clear, there are too many incidents of violence that have taken place in this campaign, but I think it is important at the same time to recall that there are large parts of the country, many constituencies and districts, where peaceful campaigning is going on in an atmosphere of harmony amongst the political parties and enthusiasm on the part of the voters.
Incidents of violation of the election Code of Conduct have been increasing. The EC has also urged UNMIN to monitor on this. How are you monitoring the election Code of Conduct?
I think I have already made it clear we are as actively present as we can be in different parts of the country, not only ourselves but the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. Out of that we are putting as much pressure as we can on the political parties to improve their adherence to the Code of Conduct, particularly as regards allowing other political parties to campaign freely. At the end of the day, UNMIN has no enforcement authority. The Election Commission does have enforcement authority, and it will be up to the Election Commission to decide how to act in relation to: The credibility of the international and national observers is being questioned. Will
There are many parties that are saying these are our regions where big parties do not allow other parties to campaign. Does the right message go to the international community which is monitoring this election?
I have made clear that UNMIN is a monitoring mission that has no enforcement authority. But I believe that the fact that UNMIN is here, and that an increasing number of international observers are here, is relevant to the prospects for a successful conclusion to this election. And let me say this to you, and perhaps conclude the press conference with this: your country is on the verge of a historic election coming out of a 10-year armed conflict, and in the midst of all kinds of claims as to how the country should be shaped in future.
