MAOISTS WOO FOREIGN DIPLOMATS Kathmandu, 18 Jan.:: The ruling UCPN-Maoist called on representatives of the European Union (EU) and ambassadors of various countries a day after the EU delegation issued an alarm note on the recent upsurge in political debate and Human Right violation cases. During the meeting held at a hotel in the capital on Friday, both sides dwelt on recent political developments and scenario. Talking to THT Online, chief of the Foreign Department of the UCPN-Maoist Ram Karki informed that the discussion was focused on the formation of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and Commission on Disappearance. “We assured the EU delegation and envoys that our party is committed to form an international standard TRC,” Karki informed adding that his party reaffirmed the delegation that all contentious issues of the conflict era would be solved through the TRC. Also briefing about the party’s political position and stances to the delegation, the Maoist told the delegation that the ordinance on TRC had been recommended to the President with the political consensus. “We are ready to make change in the ordinance sent to the president if necessary,” Karki was quoted as saying. On Thursday, the EU missions (Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, UK, and the EU Delegation), Norway and Switzerland had issued a alarm note over the recent political turmoil and human rights violation cases. Nnnn IMPUNITY RISES WRATH Kathmandu, 18 Jan.: EU, Norway and Switzerland have intensified pressure on the government “not to shield human rights violators” from due course of Law, The Himalayan Times writes.. Issuing a joint statement today, the local missions of Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, UK, and the EU delegation along with Norway and Switzerland stated that “crime must not be condoned”. The voice comes at a time when the government is facing heavy criticism at home and beyond for its efforts to stop judicial investigation of the murder of Dailekh-based journalist Dekendra Thapa, who was abducted and tortured before being buried alive by then CPN-Maoist cadres in 2004. “Whether their focus is violence against women or conflict-era human rights cases, the message is clear: crime must not be condoned; victims must not be ignored; and perpetrators must not be shielded from the due process of the law,” they said. They have also urged the government to order independent and impartial investigation of all credible allegations. The European community also raised its concern about the proposed Commissions on Truth and Reconciliation and on Disappearances. “Where sufficient evidence exists, cases can and should be prosecuted in the courts independently of the establishment of transitional justice mechanisms. Such Commissions complement but do not replace criminal proceedings,” they stated. A government proposed ordinance on Truth and Reconciliation Commission and Commission on Inquiry of Disappearances has been pending at the Office of the President. The President withheld the bill following criticism from the international community and human rights bodies that the document was against the spirit of human rights law and did not meet international standard. “We again make clear that granting the Commissions authority to confer amnesties for serious human rights abuses would not only breach international law but would also fundamentally weaken the foundations for a lasting peace in Nepal,” the EU community reiterated in the statement. nnnn