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Annan concerned about deteriorating situation in Nepal+(Japan Economic Newswire Via Thomson Dialog NewsEdge)NEW YORK, April 13_(Kyodo) _ U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan expressed concern Thursday over the deteriorating situation in Nepal, particularly the absence of any movement towards a political solution. "He reiterates his call for an inclusive national dialogue of all Nepalese political forces, and for His Majesty King Gyanendra to take courageous steps to find a way out of this situation and avoid further bloodshed," a press statement said. "It is quite clear that the Nepalese people want a swift end to the conflict and instability and the immediate restoration of democracy. The loss of life and denial of legitimate rights should end without delay." Meanwhile, Louise Arbour, the U.N. high commissioner for human rights, also expressed shock at the excessive use of force by security forces in Nepal, as well as the use of arbitrary detention in violation of the right to freedom of peaceful assembly. "In expressing his concern about the developing confrontation a week ago, Secretary General Kofi Annan noted that virtually all avenues for peaceful protest in Nepal seem to be closing, "Arbour said. "Now violence has mounted, despite the efforts of my office in Nepal to urge restraint on both demonstrators and security forces." In her statement Arbour said that on Tuesday human rights officers witnessed "the most excessive use of force to date" against demonstrators in Kathmandu by the armed police and Nepal Police. UNICEF also expressed concerns about reports that during the demonstrations that children have also been injured, arrested and detained in the Kathmandu and other demonstrations held around the country. "Children have no place being near demonstrations that could turn violent," Suomi Sakai, the UNICEF representative, said in a statement. "It is of great concern that children, some under the age of 10, have been seen taking part in demonstrations and have been injured and arrested." UNICEF also received reports that five children between 12-16 years of age were arrested in the Kathmandu Valley area on April 10 and two 14-year-old boys were taken into custody outside the area. Under article 37 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, of which Nepal is a signatory, states that the arrest, detention or imprisonment of a child is only to be used in a last resort and for the shortest time period. |