UN attacks use of force in Nepal

By Sushil Sharma
BBC News, Kathmandu

Demonstrators have been protesting at the king's direct rule

A senior UN human rights official has voiced concern at the alleged use of excessive force against pro-democracy demonstrators in Nepal.

Ian Martin referred to beatings and abuse of demonstrators which, he said, constituted torture.

He warned that the lack of restraint by the police could escalate the violence.

A seven-party opposition alliance has been holding demonstrations in protest at the king's move in February to sack a multi-party coalition government.

Mr Martin urged the authorities to investigate human rights violations and take urgent action to prevent them in future.

He is the representative of the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in Nepal.

Ban on rallies

Mr Martin referred to reports of police throwing stones at demonstrators and the use of teargas guns in close proximity to demonstrators, hospitals and schools.

He said that there has also been information about arrests on questionable legal grounds and the failure to provide medical care for injured demonstrators.

He said human rights monitors and journalists observing the demonstrations had also not been spared.

UN says journalists observing the demonstrations had also not been spared

Mr Martin said that some demonstrators had also been engaged in violence. But he argued that there could be no justification for the excessive use of force which, he said, had violated international human rights standards.

Police have been using force against demonstrators to prevent them from defying a ban on rallies in a number of areas in Kathmandu and outside of the capital.

Mr Martin said such a ban was not justified. There had been no immediate comments from the authorities.

A seven-party opposition alliance which has been holding demonstrations has dubbed the King's take-over unconstitutional and anti-democratic.

The king said the move was needed to tackle the ten-year-old Maoist insurgency which has left 12,000 dead and battered the country's subsistence economy.