U.S. Welcomes Extension of OHCHR

Kathmandu, 11 June: United States welcomed Thursday’s agreement between the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and the Government of Nepal, extending OHCHR’s operations for one more year.

“There are few issues as fundamental for Nepal’s future as human rights. OHCHR plays an important role in promoting and protecting human rights by investigating allegations of abuses and working with the National Human Rights Commission and other Nepali human rights institutions.

“We look forward to continuing to work with OHCHR in support of its mandate to promote and protect the human rights of all Nepalis,” the US embassy said in a statement.
As ruling Nepali Congress demanded the closure of the OHCHR, western countries lobbied the government to the extension.
Nepal succumbed to the pressure.
The agency came to Nepal five years ago during the royal regime, after launching an organized international campaign to defame national institutions like monarchy, the army and national Human Rights Commission (NHRC).
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China imposing age limits on Everest climbers

Kathmandu, 11 June: China is to impose new age limits on mountaineers seeking to climb in Tibet after an American 13-year-old became the youngest person ever to scale Mount Everest, AFP reports from Beijing quoting authorities.
The new age limits will come into effect when the climbing season restarts in September, an official at the China Tibet Mountaineering Association told AFP saying it was ‘ for the safety of the climbers’.
The official declined to give details of the new rules but expedition organizers in Nepal said China was planning to restrict permits to climbers between the ages of 18 an 60, except in exceptional circumstances.
In Nepal licenses to scale Everest are given to climbers over the age of 16, China does not currently have an age limit and American teenager Jordan Romero carried out his controversial ascent of the 8848 meters mountain from the Tibet side.
(Note: There’s no upper age limit in Nepal.)
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DPM Gachedhar undergoes major eye surgery in New Delhi

Kathmandu,11 June: Deputy Prime Minister and Madesh Janaadhikar Fourm-Democratic Chairman Bijaya Kumar Gachedhar under a major eye surgery at All India Institutes of Medical Sciences Thursday, The Himalayan Times reports from New Delhi.
The surgery lasted two and a half hours, said family sources.
“This is a major surgery and cannot be done easily,’ said Dr DN Sah.
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US offer to integrate resettle Maoists

Kathmandu, 11 June: USA is offering a special package to resettle Maoist combatants, Annapurna Post reports.
American embassy source said the package will be presented immediately if political parties agree and Maoists accept.
According to the source, Maoist combatants in the camps will be resettled in forest, agriculture, health and other professional sectors.
The source said the package was prepared following unofficial discussions and verbal agreement with parties and government.
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Congress Tarun Dal also being converted into fighting force

Kathmandu, 11 June: Nepali Congress, which has been demanding Maoist YCL should end its barrack structure and convert to a civilian party, is preparing to impart training its youth wing Tarun Dal for self-defense, Nepal Samacharpatra reports.
The training will begin from Sindhupalchowk Saturday from Bharabishe bazzar.
Preparations are afoot to parade 900 youth in combat dress in front of Congress leaders.
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