UN urges Nepal govt, rebels to uphold HR

"Some steps have been taken to address impunity, but these measures have been far from adequate," the Nepal unit of the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) said in a statement late on Thursday.

"Combatting impunity remains one of the greatest human rights challenges," it said.

Nepal's Maoist rebels, who have fought a bloody anti-monarchy battle since 1996 - a conflict, which has killed more than 13,000 people - and the new multi-party government have committed themselves to a ceasefire as they engage in peace talks.

The talks began soon after the government was set up after King Gyanendra gave in to violent pro-democracy street protests in April, handing power back to political parties, more than a year after he took it.