In a statement issued by the German embassy in Kathmandu, the envoy denied saying at a function in Tanahun district that people should not vote for a political party that enforces bandas. [break]
“The position of Germany and the whole European Union on bandas is expressed on September 12, according to which “bandas also undermine our joint development efforts and Nepal´s investment perspectives,” reads the statement, “This has been our consistent position.”
The German envoy´s reaction comes after Republica ran a story about the Election Commission (EC)´s cautioning Kathmandu-based foreign diplomats not to make any remark on the polls scheduled for November 19.
Former Minister Baburam Bhattarai had also taken strong exception to the envoy´s remarks. The EU on September 12 has also stated that nearly all political parties at one time or another have used this tactic [enforcement of bandas], which hits the ordinary people whose rights and interests they are supposed to champion.
“They are not only anti-social, but where they involve the use of intimidation or use of violence, they are also illegal, and the government and law and order authorities will have our full backing in addressing the breach of the law,” reads the statement issued by the EU on September 12.
The EU has stated that though it supports the rights of expression and assembly, including the right to peaceful protest and lawful strikes, it condemns bandas, which demean politics and politicians in Nepal.
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