UN concerned about excessive force against democracy demonstrators

Street demonstrations in the Nepali capital, Kathmandu, against absolute rule by King Gyanendra have been causing concern among United Nations agencies and human rights groups, who say security forces are using unnecessary violence to quell them. The United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) said it has received a number of reports of excessive use of force by police against demonstrators. OHCHR chief in Nepal, Ian Martin, said that his office had complaints about the police throwing stones and rocks at demonstrators, causing serious injury. “There can be no justification for the excessive use of force. OHCHR is concerned that a lack of restraint by the police may contribute to escalating violence and is deeply concerned over reports of beatings and abuse of demonstrators, which constitute torture,” said a press statement by Martin. The UN has raised its concerns with the police and government, asking them to investigate human rights violations and to take measures to prevent future violations. Police say many of the mass protests have not been peaceful and that they have had to deal with violence and criminality from the marchers. Despite the lifting in May of the state of emergency imposed on 1 February after the king assumed direct rule, peaceful public gatherings are still prohibited in several places in the capital. Similar bans have been imposed in other parts of the country, said OHCHR. “OHCHR considers that the response by authorities to recent demonstrations has led to violations of international human rights standards, including the right to freedom of assembly as guaranteed under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and provisions of the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment,” said Martin’s office. Concerns have also been raised about the reckless use of teargas, particularly near schools and hospitals. According to local media reports, nearly 600 students had difficulty breathing when teargas canisters were fired indiscriminately inside the premises of the Neptune Boarding School in the district of Bagbajar, in the capital. Five pupils were seriously injured and 40 are still suffering from the gas.