UNHCHR expresses concern over political crisis in Nepal

The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights on Tuesday expressed concern over reports from Nepal that seven security personnel and three protesters were killed on Monday.

"We urge political leaders and protesters to sit down together to find a peaceful solution to the current situation before the rising violence spirals out of control," the UN human rights agency said in a statement.

According to media reports, the two-year-old son of one deceased police officer was also killed.

The latest casualty was in addition to the deaths of five protesters during widespread demonstrations since an August 8 agreement by political parties on redrawing internal state boundaries.

"There is a clear risk that the protests and violence will continue to feed off each other in the coming days unless all sides change their approach," said Rupert Colville, spokesperson for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.

The spokesperson urged the government of Nepal to create a climate where minority or dissenting views or beliefs are respected, and security forces only employ force as a last resort and in full accordance with the standards laid out under international law for maintaining public order, including detailed guidelines governing the use of live ammunition.

"Moreover, protesters should not pursue violent confrontations with the security services," the spokesperson added.