The election for a Constituent Assembly is an historic opportunity for the people of Nepal to turn their hopes for democracy into reality. It is far more than a competition between diverse political parties. Those who will be elected to the Constituent Assembly will be more than representatives of their own political party: they will be entrusted by the population with the responsibility of drafting a new constitution that permanently enshrines the human rights of all Nepalese people. The free, fair and transparent election of a Constituent Assembly will therefore be a success for all Nepalese regardless of their cultural or political affiliations. The human rights relevant to the 10 April election process are not limited to the right to participate by casting a ballot on Election Day. They include the right to life and physical integrity, to peaceful assembly, freedom from intimidation and discrimination, and freedom of opinion and expression. OHCHR believes that a sincere commitment by everyone to respect these interconnected and indivisible rights will create an environment in which a successful and credible election can take place. It is clear that not all political actors have made good on their commitments to refrain from the use of violence in the pre-election period. OHCHR has documented numerous instances of the use of intimidation, threats and physical violence by political party cadres. These have included deliberate, and sometimes fatal, attacks against cadres of other political parties. Clashes between party supporters have also resulted in sometimes unintended fatalities, injuries and property damage. OHCHR once again calls upon all parties, including armed groups attempting to disrupt the election, to denounce
the use of such tactics, and to respect the rights of all to conduct their activities without obstruction during the remaining days of the campaign.
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Publisher:
UNOHCHR
,
(2008
) |
Type / Script:
Press Release
in English
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Keywords:
HUMAN RIGHTS, INJURIES, PROPERTY DAMAGE, ABUSE, IMPARTIAL, PRESSURE, DEMOCRACY, SAFETY AT RISK, LAW AND ORDER, REALITY, DIVERSE, REPRESENTATIVES, DRAFTING CONSTITUTION, FREEDOM, OPINION, PHYSICAL, BALLOT, TRANSPARENT, AFFILIATIONS, EXPRESSION, PEACEFUL ASSEMBLY, INTEGRITY, ELECTION, DENOUNCE, TACTICS, FATAL ATTACKS, POLITICAL PARTIES, HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATION, CAMPAIGN, DISCRIMINATION, UNINTENDED FATALITIES
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Thematic Group:
UNOHCHR
:
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights
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Thesaurus:
14.02.02
- Human Rights
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Reference Link:
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