Call to protect Nepalese civilians

The human rights group, Amnesty International, has called on both the security forces and Maoist rebels in Nepal to protect the lives of civilians during a five-day nationwide strike called by the rebels from Tuesday.

Amnesty said it was particularly concerned about the wide powers given to Nepal's security forces during the strike, including shooting any violent demonstrator on sight.

The strike has been called to back up the Neaplese rebels' demand for a lifting of the state of emergency imposed last November.

Maoist rebels have been fighting for a communist republic in Nepal and the abolition of the monarchy since 1996.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service