[JURIST] Nepal [JURIST news archive] has agreed to allow UN human rights workers to enter the country [UN news report] to monitor reported abuses by both government and Maoist rebel forces, the UN announced on Monday. Under the agreement signed by the Nepalese government and the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights [official website], the OHCHR will set up regional posts in the country to respond to reports of human rights violations. Human rights groups had mixed reactions to the announcement, with some welcoming it and others calling for a stronger condemnation of the Nepalese government by the UN. In response to the announcement, Switzerland said it would drop its demand for Nepal's censure during the current UN human rights session. Nepal has been in turmoil since a Maoist rebellion in 1996, and an estimated 11,000 have been killed since. The human rights situation appeared to deteriorate in February when King Gyanendra declared a state of emergency [JURIST report] and imprisoned numerous politicians. Read the OHCHR press release. Reuters has more.