UN asks Nepal rebels to stop "law enforcement"

KATHMANDU, Nov 1 (Reuters) The United Nations called on Nepal's Maoist rebels today to stop ''law enforcement'' activities, saying they were resulting in serious human rights abuses in the troubled Himalayan country.

The UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), Nepal, said it had confirmed abductions of 39 people by the rebels in three administrative districts in the Kathmandu valley in October alone.

Last month, the rebels said they had taken more than 80 people into captivity on charges they said were linked to criminal activities.

''OHCHR-Nepal considers these parallel 'law enforcement' activities to be illegal, as well as in violation of international human rights standards,'' the agency said in a statement.

The Maoists have held individuals incommunicado at secret locations, thus increasing their vulnerability to human rights abuses, OHCHR said.

The UN also investigated a number of reports of ill-treatment and torture, including severe beatings, it said.

''OHCHR-Nepal calls again on the CPN-Maoist leadership to stop all parallel 'law enforcement' activities, and especially incidents of torture and ill-treatment,'' it said, referring to the rebel group.

''State authorities have sole responsibility to arrest and detain criminal suspects, and it is essential for the re-establishment of the rule of law that all parties respect this.'' A senior Maoist commander said the rebels had to act because the government was unable to provide security to people.

''Therefore, we are protecting the people from criminal gangs,'' Sagar, who uses one name, told Reuters.

Earlier, international media watchdog Reporters Without Borders (RSF) accused the Maoists of remaining intolerant of media criticism although there has been a drop in attacks on journalists.

The Paris-based group said Maoists threatened at least four journalists since September and also forcibly occupied a building owned by the state-run television in west Nepal.

The rebels launched a violent campaign in 1996 to topple the monarchy -- a conflict that has claimed more than 13,000 lives.

A ceasefire is holding between the government and Maoists since King Gyanendra restored democracy after weeks of mass protests in April. They have since resumed peace talks that collapsed in 2001 and 2003.

Yesterday, the Nepali Congress, the country's biggest political party, accused the rebels of attacking and kidnapping its workers in violation of a code of conduct linked to the peace process.

REUTERS SP ND1932