The International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) Thursday urged India, the United States, Britain and others attending the ongoing United Nations Commission on Human Rights meeting in Geneva to urgently respond to the human rights abuses in Nepal. "This is a crucial moment in the history of the struggle for democracy and rights in Nepal," said ICJ secretary general Nicholas Howen at a press briefing in the Indian capital. Howen, who led an ICJ mission to Nepal, released a report entitled "Nepal: The Rule of Law Abandoned." Nepal's King Gyanendra dismissed the democratically-elected government of prime minister Sher Bahadur Deuba February 1 and assumed emergency powers saying the Deuba government had failed to tackle a decade-long Maoist rebellion. Howen said Gyanendra's move had plunged Nepal into a deeper human rights crisis. "There is a climate of fear, where rights are privileges given by his majesty's government... criticism is not tolerated," said Howen. Howen said in his discussions with the chief of the Nepal military and other government officials it was apparent the Royal Nepal Army's hand had not been strengthened by the king's move. "Instead it has given the Maoists political backing." The civilian in Nepal has become trapped between brutal Maoist tactics and an unaccountable army that had been increasing pressure since February 1, he said. "Every time the ICJ had visited Nepal in recent years, the conflict has been deepening and rights abuse escalating. "We heard pleas from Nepalis for the international community to demand a return to the rule of law and respect for human rights. To help restore the democratic space they need to find political solutions to the conflict," said Howen. --more 1246 Local Time 0946 GMT
