UN envoy arrives in Nepal, to meet Prachanda
Jan 19, 2007 - 8:38:15 PM
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This is the first time that the UN envoy made public an intended visit with the Maoists. Till last year, when they signed a peace pact with the Koirala government, the Maoists had been declared a terrorist organisation and their meetings with UN officials had been held clandestinely or on foreign soil.
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By IANS,
[RxPG] Kathmandu, Jan 19 - The UN's top rights envoy arrived in Nepal on a six-day visit Friday to show the world body's support for the ongoing peace process.
Louise Arbour, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, who has a representative in Kathmandu, said on her arrival that the end of the decade-old Maoist insurgency was a great achievement and the historical change had given the kingdom an opportunity to end racial and gender discrimination.
The envoy said the June election for a constituent assembly should include all sections of society in the nation-building process.
Arbour last visited Nepal in January 2005 just before King Gyanendra seized power through a bloodless coup.
As in her earlier visit, she said the 'culture of impunity' must end in Nepal and grave human rights abuses investigated impartially and punished.
The envoy will meet Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala, Maoist chairman Prachanda, victims of human rights violations, groups representing victims and their families, the human rights community and civil society representatives.
This is the first time that the UN envoy made public an intended visit with the Maoists. Till last year, when they signed a peace pact with the Koirala government, the Maoists had been declared a terrorist organisation and their meetings with UN officials had been held clandestinely or on foreign soil.
Arbour will also visit two towns in midwestern Nepal as well as Sindhupalchowk district in the north.
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