Govt, Maoists urged to respect human rights

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KATHMANDU, Dec.1 : Human Rights activists, Law Practioners and politicians have urged both the state and the Maoist side to stop killing people and 'disappearing' and torturing them from today.
Addressing an interaction programme on the topic 'Right to life: Human rights' organised by the Human Rights and Peace Society (HURPES) on the occasion of the 54th Human Rights Day here today, speakers demanded that the state stop arbitrary detentions and detentions without warrant and make public the names of those abducted by the Maoists.They stressed that both sides should respect people's right to life.The speakers also underlined the need for the state and the Maoists both to help in creating an environment congenial for talks which both sides can have confidence in.
At the programme, HURPES advisor Purushottam Dahal, president Krishna Pahadi, Sindhunath Pyakurel, Krishna Prasad Bhandari, Dr. Meena Acharya, Ajit Narayan Singh Thapa and others pointed out the need for human rights activists and civic society to take initiatives towards mediation.
The society is going to organise seminars and interactions on 'right to life' in 40-50 districts across the Kingdom throughout the month of December.

Patan Museum mirrors Newari architecture: experts

By A Staff Reporter

LALITPUR, Dec. 1: Two books - Patan Museum: The transformation of a Royal Palace in Nepal and Patan Museum Guide - were launched today in Patan.

Patan Museum which was restored to its original grandeur a few years ago with Austrian assistance is one of Asia's finest museums. It houses centuries-old stone sculptures and bronze images.
Participants at the launching ceremony called for the return of all images and idols stolen from Nepal and be kept in the Patan Museum.

It is very important that the young people should be made aware of the situation of Nepal's cultural heritage and encourage their participation in their preservation, said editor of Himal South Asia magazine, Kanak Mani Dixit.

Most of the stone statues with carvings of the gods found in various parts of the world are the stolen properties of Nepal, says Dixit.

An expert of art and archaeology, Shaphalya Amatya, said that Patan Museum mirrors the pre-Malla period and rich Newari architecture. He said that the museum should be developed into an international standard one.

Architect of the museum Gotz Hagmullar said that as Nepal's cultural heritage is unique, he was attracted towards its preservation.

As to criticisms that modern materials were used in its restoration, he said that this was done to make the museum long lasting. "The use of iron and other materials does not destroy the identity of its ancient heritage," Gotz said.Architect Niel Guschow said, "Nepal is the land of unlimited architecture." He called for their preservation.

ICRCS stresses on peace, rights

By A Staff Reporter

KATHMANDU, Dec. 1: The International Community of Red Cross Society (ICRCS) has expressed the confidence peace will be restored in the country and the existing conflict reduced. We can learn from the two countries of this region - East Timor and Sri Lanka - to restore peace and stability here, Reto Meister, Regional Delegate of the Asia Pacific Region, ICRC, told journalists today.
Meister, who is leading a Red Cross team, met Prime Minister Lokendra Bahadur Chand this morning and talked about the current situation of the country.

As the insurgency takes its toll, the ICRC's main focus is on improving the situation of the prisoners. The ICRC has held talks with the Home Ministry, Chief of the Army Staff, the Police Force as well as the rebels and has asked them to follow human rights norms in accordance with the Geneva Convention.

The ICRC has been working in the country since the last four years and the government has permitted it to supervise various jails where arrested Maoists are kept even after the imposition of the state of emergency.

However, he declined to disclose the details of the visits, saying it was not possible to disclose everything. "But we are satisfied with our work even in this critical time," he said.

Meister informed that the ICRC was establishing a head office in Nepal to work and assist victims of both natural disasters and political conflict.

Didier Cerpitel, Secretary General of the International Federation of the RCRC, said that the main objective of the organisation was to support victims all over the world, and it did not matter who or where they were. Its services focus on the health and rehabilitation of victims.

There are about 97 million volunteers working with the federation worldwide. Of these, 30,000 are involved in Nepal.

HIV-positive woman ties nuptial knot

By Basanta Parajuli

NARAYANGARDH, Dec. 1: Under normal conditions, people believe that an HIV-AIDS patient can survive for a maximum of 10 years.

But a woman from remote Chhatiwan Village Development Committee of Makawanpur district has joined in wedlock after nine years of being an HIV patient.

She is convinced that if HIV patients receive proper treatment and care, they can live long. With that hope, the 28-year-old woman from the Bote caste married a Brahmin boy last year. She is happy with husband, and believes that love and affection will help her live for more years.

In 1990, she and her sister were sold to a brothel in Bombay where they contacted the killer disease. The two sisters, who were forced to leave the brothel by the master after finding that they have the HIV/positive, returned Nepal nine years ago.

"When I returned to my village, people discriminated and treated me unfairly. Even my own brother joined the villagers to abhor me. I could not bear the stigma and went to Hetauda seeking new life," she narrated.

In Hetauda, she met her future husband and married last year. Her husband had proposed the marriage even after coming to know that she was HIV-positive.

"First, I rejected the proposal, but at last I was convinced," she added. As she is HIV positive, they use condom.

She is involved with an NGO that organises awareness programmes on HIV/AIDS in different parts Makawanpur and Chitwan districts. She advises locals to use condoms to avoid the HIV infection.
About 500 women, who are involved in sex trade, operate it in Muglin, Narayangardh and Lothar. But no study has been carried out on how many women have sexually transmitted disease.

Five dead, 56 injured in road accidents

By Our Correspondent

BHARATPUR, Dec. 1: Fifty people sustained injuries when their bus met with an accident on the Naraynagarh-Muglin highway at Kabilas Village Development Committee (VDC) this afternoon. Twelve of them are in critical condition and are undergoing treatment at various hospitals in Kathmandu, Butwal and Bharatpur.

The bus, which was heading towards Kathmandu from Butwal, veered off the road and fell 50 metres below onto the bank of the Trishuli River.

"The bus met with the accident when the driver suddenly put on the brakes to save an old woman who abruptly crossed the road," said Bir Bahadur Thapa from Butwal, who was injured in the incident. He is undergoing treatment in Bharatpur Hospital.

In another accident Saturday afternoon, four passengers died on the spot and six others were injured when their bus hit a cow on the Mahendra Highway at Deukhuri Satbariya VDC in mid-west Nepal. The bus was heading towards the border town of Nepalgunj in far west Nepal from Khalanga of Salyan in mid-west Nepal.

According to Dang-based correspondent, those who died in the accident are Shashidhar Devkota, 24, of Salyan district, Indira Shrestha and her two-year-old son from Kathmandu, and cleaner of the ill-fated bus, according to the Area Police Office, Lamahi. Shrestha is the coordinator of Care Nepal in Salyan district.

The body of the cleaner has yet to be identified. All the four bodies have been kept in the Area Health Office, Lamahi, as their relatives have not arrived here to lay claim.

Those who were injured in the incident are receiving treatment at Nepalgunj Hospital.