Nepal vows to prosecute human rights violators

GENEVA, June 19 (Reuters) Nepal will prosecute all human rights violators in its drive for international credibility, Foreign Affairs Minister Khadga Prasad Oli said today.

Speaking at the inaugural session of the U N Human Rights Council, Oli said the government, which on Friday announced a peace deal with Maoist rebels, had made respect for democracy, the rule of law and human rights a top priority.

''No effort will be spared in investigating all the alleged human rights violation cases in a responsible manner,'' he said in his address. ''The proven human rights violators will be held accountable and prosecuted as per the law of the land.'' The United Nations has accused Nepal's army of torturing those detained in its decade-long war against the Maoists, a conflict in which more than 13,000 people have died and thousands have disappeared.

Nepal's political landscape has changed dramatically since April when King Gyanendra surrendered power and reinstated parliament following weeks of street protests.

Since that time, Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala's new multi-party government has agreed a ceasefire with the rebels, stripped the king of almost all of his powers and conceded to Maoist demands for the drafting of a new constitution.

''One of the urgent priorities of the present government is to seek to restore the international credibility and respectability of Nepal as a country committed to respecting all human rights norms and principles,'' Oli said.

In addition, he said the government would train Nepalese security personnel in the importance of observing human rights norms in their work.

REUTERS SHB HT1932