In a statement issued Friday evening, Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in Nepal (OHCHR-Nepal) has urged protesting groups to use peaceful means only, and the police to use minimum force. "...and if force is necessary, ensure that it is proportional to the threat posed," said the statement.
According to the statement, the government has informed OHCHR-Nepal chief Richard Bennett about its decision to reverse its earlier decision to categorize various Tarai groups as Madhesis.
"Protesting groups should use peaceful means only, while the Nepal Police and APF (Armed Police Force) should use minimum force, and if force is necessary, ensure that it is proportional to the threat posed," said the statement. "OHCHR-Nepal is extremely concerned about the use of live ammunition by police."
Two protestors died Thursday night in police firing, while the angry agitating groups hacked a policeman to death on Friday. Dozens of protestors and policemen are injured in the clashes. Authorities have imposed indefinite curfew in the area.
"I note that the imposition of a curfew does not justify the use of firearms in situations that are not life threatening," said Bennett in the statement. The UN office has demanded thorough and independent investigations into the killings.
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