Kathmandu: Forum for Protection of Human Rights (FOPHUR) and Human Rights Organisation of Nepal (HURON) today jointly called on United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan to take urgent action against "gross violation" of human rights in Nepal.
In a letter sent to Mr Annan today, both the Chairpersons of FOPHUR and HURON Padma Ratna Tuladhar and Charan Prasai stated the municipal polls slated for tomorrow in different parts of the country were being conducted in an atmosphere of intimidation, fear and violence and do not meet the basic principles and standards of free and fair elections as adopted by the United Nations, a Nepal newspaper said.
''This situation has led the country towards more confrontation, conflict and violence between the royal regime and the political parties, including the communist party of Nepal (Maoist),'' the letter said.
''The two rights bodies have also appealed to Mr Annan to put pressure on the royal regime to postpone the polls and reach out to the political parties immediately for a negotiated solution to the existing problems in the country,'' it said.
The municipal polls are being held without the participation of major political parties. There were reports of people being forced to be the candidates as there was very low candidacy, the newspaper reported.