KATHMANDU, Jan 26: A day after police applied force to disperse a protest organized by civil society activists at Baluwatar in Kathmandu, where the official residence of the prime minister is located, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) urged the government to respect the citizens’ rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assemblies.

Releasing a press statement on Tuesday, the rights watchdog stated that the incident that took place on Monday afternoon at Baluwatar has drawn its attention.

The NHRC reiterated that Article 20 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights-1948, Article 21 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights 1966 and Article 17 of the Constitution of Nepal have ensured the right to freedom of opinion and expression and to assemble peaceably and without arms. “The use of excessive force goes against the national and international laws,” reads the statement. “The commission urges the government to be sensitive in this regard.”

The rights body also drew the attention of the government not to violate, under any pretext, the citizens’ fundamental right to freedom of expression.

 
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