'Nepal faces human rights crisis'

The human rights organisation, Amnesty International, says Nepal's conflict between Maoist rebels and government forces has led to a human rights crisis, putting the future of the country at risk.

In a report published on Thursday, Amnesty International says both sides have engaged in abductions, torture and unlawful killings.

It says Maoist rebels have killed more than 440 civilians, while Nepalese security forces are also likely to have killed many civilians.

Amnesty International says the situation has deteriorated since peace talks broke down in November last year, and a state of emergency was declared.

Amnesty International says the government takes serious action to investigate human rights violations, and punish those responsible.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service