ACHR welcomes 7-party accord to end political stalemate

Kathmandu, Mar 20: Asian Centre for Human Rights (ACHR) has welcomed the agreement between the Seven Parties Alliance (SAP) and the Maoist rebels in Nepal as a decisive step to break the political stalemate in the Himalayan Kingdom.

''This a clear message to King Gyanendra that there is no space for absolute monarchy in a democratic country, Director of ACHR Suhas Chakma said in a statement issued here .

Under the agreement, the Maoists today withdrew the road blockade imposed on March 14.

''It is also a clear indication that the Maoists have given way to democratic protests. The time has come for the United States, which has earlier expressed reservations on the 12-point-agreement, to take note of this perceptible change in policy of the Maoists and extend full support to the democratic protests of the seven-party political alliance,'' Mr Chakma added.

The seven parties and Maoists issued the statement here yesterday reiterating their commitment to end autocratic rule of the King through the election of constituent assembly, the main demand of the Maoists.

UNI