Demonstration Monitoring Network Secretariat Collective Campaign for Peace (COCAP)  Joint Press Release  Date: May 4, 2010 Situation on ground: The Demonstration Monitoring network observed the possible Human Rights violation during the third day of general strike called by the UCPN Maoist on May 4, 2010. Three people were injured in the clashes between the protestors and the locals in Satungal of Kathmandu. Among the injured, Bijaya Lama, 19 of Hetauda has serious injuries in the head and is being treated at Neuro hospital Bansbari after being referred by the local Bageshwari hospital. Another protestor Rajesh Lama, 16 of Dhanusha and local Dharmaraj Thapa Magar of Machchhegaun, Kathmandu were treated in the local hospital for minor injuries. In another incident, the protestors vandalized four shops along eastern gate of Singhdurbar at around 9.40 am today.  Review of the overall Situation: Despite the strikes being peaceful, it has created difficulties in the exercise of people's rights. Daily wage workers are the most affected. Consumers have reported scarcity and hike in the prices of daily used goods including cereals and vegetables. This has risked people's most basic right to food.   The closure of industries and businesses has prevented people from exercising their right to work and right to profession. Some shoppers in Kathmandu reported the shortage of medicines. Coupled with halt in the transportation and difficulty in drinking water supply, there is fear that people will also not be able to exercise their right to health.   Closure of educational institutions has prevented all the children and many youths from exercising their right to education. It is likely to trigger many psychosocial problems.  As the strike prolongs, people have complained of not being able to perform many cultural activities including death rituals and prayers.   The duty to protect all human rights of its citizens solely lies on the state. The Network reiterates its call upon the government to create an environment to end the strikes through dialogues soon.  As the largest political party in the country, protesting UCPN Maoist also has to take these difficulties of the nation's citizens seriously and seek earliest possible solutions to the current problems through dialogues. Other political parties also have responsibility to be engaged in the negotiation process and facilitate dialogues.    Badri Prasad Siwakoti Network Coordinator    Note: Demonstration Monitoring Network is a loose network of social organizations working in the human rights sector of Nepal. Currently it has 19 member organizations including NHRC, OHCHR, Collective Campaign for Peace (COCAP), INSEC, CAHURAST, HURDAN, Advocacy Forum, HURON, HURFON, INHURED International, SAFHR, PBI, HUDEP Nepal, Women Foundation, JCYCN, RILEC Nepal, HimRights, Partnership Nepal and Nepalese Society of Victimology.