KATHMANDU - Maoist former rebels have stepped up their violent activities and abductions in recent months creating a climate of fear, the United Nations human rights office in Nepal said Saturday. The United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in Nepal said the Communist Party of Nepal - Maoist (CPN-M) and its youth wing Young Communist League (YCL) were involved in abductions, ill-treatment in captivity, physical attacks and the violent disruption of political activities and other types of abuse.| If you're waiting for the New York Times to carry this story, keep waiting. |
The OHCHR-Nepal said the abuse violated international human rights law, the peace agreement between the government and the former rebels and domestic laws. OHCHR said: ‘The human rights abuses committed by the YCL are contributing to a climate of fear and intimidation and were restricting legitimate political, journalistic and other activities particularly related to freedom of expression and assembly.’
| Well d'oh! They're communists! |
The latest UN criticism of the Maoists and its youth wing came amid growing public concerns over their activities despite the party joining the government. The Maoists have defended the YCL activities by accusing its detractors of trying to undermine the Maoist party by highlighting ‘isolated incidences’ and ignoring the social work it undertakes.Many political observers also believe that a large number of YCL members are actually hardcore guerillas who fought a decade-long insurgency against government forces.
In early May, Maoist chairman Prachanda announced that the YCL would be expanded to include half a million members despite growing criticism of its activities.
| And there you go: the YCL will be the brownshirts who will bring down the earnest 'coalition' government at a time of Prachanda's choosing. |