Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 169: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will give an update on the situation in Nepal; if human rights issues are being addressed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18857/05]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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A rebellion against the monarchy in Nepal, led by the extreme left wing Maoist Communist Party has been ongoing since 1996. The insurgency has, to date, claimed approximately 10,000 lives. The rebels are fighting to abolish the constitutional monarchy and establish a socialist state in the Himalayan kingdom. It is estimated that more than 40% of the country is now under the control of the insurgents. On 1 February 2005, King Gyanendra dismissed the country's government and declared a state of emergency, a move condemned by the international community. Since then, political detainees have been released, and on 30 April 2005, the King lifted the state of emergency.

However, basic human rights, including freedom of speech, freedom of association and a free press, remain indefinitely suspended. The judiciary has also raised questions about its independence and ability to defend constitutional rights. The security situation in the Government-controlled areas of the country is generally peaceful. However, fighting between the insurgents and security forces outside this area has intensified over the past two months, with neither side able to deal a decisive blow against the other.

At the most recent session of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights, in Geneva, held from 14 March to 22 April 2005, a resolution on the human rights situation in Nepal was adopted which provides, inter alia, for the establishment of an international monitoring mission through a regional office of the Office of the High Commission for Human Rights, OHCHR. It also calls for the restoration of democratic institutions and respect for the rule of law, an independent National Human Rights Commission, NHRC, and full and unimpeded access to places of detention for the NHRC, OHCHR and the International Committee of the Red Cross.

Ireland, together with our EU partners, remains concerned at the situation in Nepal, particularly in relation to human rights. The EU has urged both King Gyanendra and the political parties in Nepal to show flexibility in engaging in dialogue and in reviving the democratic process. The EU has emphasised its strong belief that the development of multi-party democracy in Nepal must be an essential part of any acceptable and sustainable resolution of the current conflict.

When he presented credentials to King Gyanendra in Kathmandu on 27 May, the Ambassador of Ireland to Nepal, who is resident in New Delhi, took the opportunity to state the EU and Irish position. In welcoming recent positive steps including the lifting of the state of emergency, the further release of political and other detainees and the appointment that day of the new NHRC, the ambassador said that the international community was also deeply interested in seeing the necessary progress in the reconciliation between the monarchy and the political parties, in the movement back to a functioning democracy and in the restoration of civil liberties. The Irish embassy in New Delhi is continuing to monitor and report on the situation in Nepal. Ireland, together with its EU partners, will continue to follow closely the situation in Nepal and to encourage both sides to pursue a peaceful, political solution and respect for human rights.