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"DEFEND HUMAN RIGHTS, NEPAL"

Condemnation of Attack in Chitwan

June 6, 2005, Kathmandu (translated from Nepali)

The National Coalition of Human Rights Defenders condemns the Communist Party of Nepal (CPN-Maoists) attack on a public bus by placing explosives in the Madi area of Chitwan District that injured some 70 civilians and killed more than three-dozen on June 6, 2005.

This assault on a public bus utilized by civilians violates the norms of the Geneva Convention, to which the CPN-Maoists have repeatedly expressed their commitment. We urge the leaders of the CPN-Maoists to conduct themselves in a responsible manner and immediately stop all forms of attacks on civilians. We strongly demand that the CPN-Maoists abide by the principles of human rights and humanitarian laws and calls upon them not to repeat such inhumane acts.

On behalf of the National Coalition of Human Rights Defenders
[formerly known as the group of 25 human rights organizations]