Ian Martin
head of the Kathmandu-based Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in Nepal
New Delhi
17 April 2006
damning news of indiscriminate "aerial shooting and bombing" by the Royal Nepalese
Army over large swathes of civilian population. At least two children and one civilian
adult have died since the resumption of the full-scale armed conflict, according to the
representative of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.
Mr Ian Martin, who heads the Kathmandu-based Office of the High Commissioner for
Human Rights in Nepal, told this newspaper that the RNA has "continued with the
practice of dropping mortar bombs out of helicopters, at times over populated areas."
"Dropping bombs in this way risks civilians lives, as it is not possible to distinguish
between military targets and civilians, as international humanitarian law requires. Two
children and one civilian adult were killed and six others injured as a result of aerial
shooting and bombing by the RNA since the resumption of the full-scale conflict," he
said.
Mr Martin observed there has been a "dramatic deterioration" of an already bad situation
in the past week insofar as the protection of democratic rights was concerned. He was
also "increasingly concerned about the seriously unsatisfactory conditions in the many
improvised detention centres, especially in the Kathmandu area."
"Since the end of the unilateral ceasefire declared by the CPN (Maoist) in January this
year we have seen a return to full-scale, and often intense, armed conflict. Outside the
Kathmandu Valley there has been fierce fighting, with serious consequences for civilian
populations caught between the warring parties. The CPN (Maoist) has brought the
conflict into urban areas, inevitably resulting in civilian casualties," he said.
The official said there was "great stress on the lives of ordinary people" in the
countryside too. "There is serious disruption to access to services such as health and
education services, which can have a particularly serious impact on women and
children. Normal social and commercial life is virtually impossible," he said.
"Just this week," he went on to add, "UNICEF in Nepal made a plea this week that the
annual Vitamin A distribution to 3.3 million to children between six months and five years
be allowed to proceed across the country, and not be blocked by the political bandh or
the armed conflict. With half of Nepal's children suffering from malnutrition, the Vitamin A
capsules are essential to boost their immune system and prevent blindness."
Mr Martin's remarks come ahead of Tuesday's meeting the Swiss Government will host
in Geneva to discuss the human rights situation in Nepal. Switzerland was one of the
leaders of the consensual Nepal resolution under Item 19 at the Commission on Human
Rights on April 20 last year.
The Geneva meeting will be held in the backdrop of the Brussels meeting, which was
held in March this year, in which the representatives of the members of European
Parliament discussed "smart sanctions". Ireland too had proposed such sanctions.
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