Violence stops access to hospitals in south

Aid agencies in Nepal have called on those involved in the communal violence in the south to allow humanitarian access.
 
People in the Tarai region have been subjected to two weeks of clashes after political protests led by the Madhesi People's Rights Forum (MPRF).
 
"There is a serious problem of civilians not being able to access hospitals and health services due to violence and curfews," Catherine Lefebvre, officer in charge of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in Nepal, said.
 
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) also expressed concern that key humanitarian organisations such as the Nepal Red Cross Society (NRCS) were facing difficulties, particularly in moving ambulances around the affected area.
 
Several towns in the Tarai, including Kalaiya, Janakpur and Birgunj, have experienced violence at the hands of the protesters. The government has imposed day-long curfews since Saturday and it is not known how long they will continue, making it difficult for aid workers to gain access.
 
"Our concern is mainly for those who need medical care, including normal medical services unrelated to the unrest," said Raoul Forster of the ICRC. He said the minimum humanitarian standards should be respected.
 
"There should not be deliberate deprivation of medical and humanitarian access. Everyone should be able to collect medicines and the medical personnel should be granted access to help and fulfil their duties," Forster said.
 
Madhesis feel excluded

The MPRF has been protesting against the Nepalese government for introducing a new interim constitution, which it says does not address political rights of the Madhesi. They say they feel discriminated against and excluded from Nepal's development and political process.
 
The Madhesi are a mixture of Hindus, Muslims and Buddhists. They make up 33-45 percent of Nepal's population of 27 million and have strong cultural links to neighbouring India.
 
The MPRF said in a press statement on Sunday that the protests would continue until the constitution is amended and an autonomous region for the Madhesi established.

"We are ready to talk with the government after it creates an appropriate environment," said Upendra Yadav, president of MPRF. Yadav denied allegations that his party was jeopardising any humanitarian activities.
 
"The government is for a serious meeting today and hopefully we can find a way to restore peace in the country," said Nepalese member of parliament, Pradip Gyawali.
 
The protests have led to the deaths of at least seven people and scores of demonstrators and police have been injured, according to the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in Nepal.
 
"We are seeing a very worrying escalation of tension and violence in communities in the Tarai. Unless effective action, including dialogue, is taken by all concerned, OHCHR-Nepal fears that neither demonstration organisers nor police at the local level will be able to prevent violence and guarantee the protection of human rights, with potentially grave consequences," said Lena Sundh, OHCHR chief in Nepal. According to a local rights agency, Himalayan Rights Lifeline, its activists were attacked by protesters while they were monitoring the situation.
 
"We are really saddened by this incident and we were on the spot to help the injured protesters," said activist Anjana Sakya. The violence comes at a time when peace was in sight after the Maoist rebels and government of seven national parties signed an historic peace agreement in November.

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