Nepalese in Europe call for end to rule of "Gyanendra Shah"

Brussels, Feb 2, IRNA

EU-Nepal

Six Nepalese civil rights groups based in Europe held a rally in Brussels Wednesday demanding the end of the monarchy in Nepal.

"Hand over the entire political power to the people," chanted the protestors in front of the EU headquarters.

The rally coincided with the first anniversary of King Gyanendra's seizure of executive power and abolition of civil rights on February 1, 2005.

We are calling for power to be handed over to the people and the monarchy replaced by a democratically elected government," Nepali human rights and democracy activist Arjun Karki told IRNA.

"King Gyanendra Shah is not only ignoring the wishes of the Nepalese people and their desire for democracy, peace and progress, but also arrogantly rejecting the suggestions of the international community," said a statement distributed by the organizers of the event.

"The unity of the seven parliamentary parties and Maoists should be further strengthened against Gyanendra Shah's feudal, autocratic tyranny," it said.

The groups included the Nepalese People's Progressive Forum in Belgium, Internationalist Nepalese Solidarity Forum in Germany and Switzerland, Nepali Samaj, UK, United Nepalese Front in Europe and Nepali Indigenous Concern Forum also in Europe.

Meanwhile, EU High Representative for Common Foreign and Security Policy Javier Solana, in a statement Wednesday, said it has long been clear that there can be no military solution to the current situation in Nepal.

He urged King Gyanendra "to show the necessary leadership and foresight by restoring all political and civil liberties, resuming dialogue with the main parties and taking steps towards a ceasefire and inclusive national dialogue to bring an end to the conflict." The Brussels-based think-tank International Crisis Group, in a report Wednesday, said that "Nepal risks political collapse and increased human suffering unless the royal government calls off municipal elections and cooperates in a broad-based peace process." Local elections are scheduled to be held in Nepal on February 8.

About 12,000 people have lost their lives in Nepal in over a decade of Maoist-led insurgency to topple the monarchy.