The United Nations in Nepal has condemned the rape and killing of a six-year-old girl from Bardibas Municipality in Mahottari district.

Issuing a statement on Thursday, the UN Office of the Resident Coordinator has urged relevant Nepali authorities to urgently follow due process and ensure that the perpetrator is held accountable.

“This incident happened on the eve of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence campaign and has highlighted the critical need to prevent and respond to violence against women and girls,” reads the statement. “The campaign calls on governments, civil society and individuals to speak out and act to bring about the changes within our society and culture that perpetuates gender-based violence, at times with impunity.”

The body of six-year-old Gulabasa Khatun was found stuffed inside a sack on Monday in Bardibas Municipality-12, a day after she went missing from outside her home in Bardibas, Mahottari.

The girl’s relatives and locals have claimed that she was raped and murdered. They have been staging protests demanding stern action against the culprit.

At least one person was killed and two persons injured when police onTuesday resorted to baton charge and opened fire on the demonstrators.

The United Nations in Nepal has said when incidents occur, due process should be followed and perpetrators held accountable for their actions.

It has also pledged its full support to prioritise and adopt actions to address the needs of victims and survivors of violence and ensure that collective response and recovery efforts uphold their rights, including their right to live a life free from violence.

“While holding perpetrators to account is critical at this stage, the UN would like to stress the fact that gender-based violence can be prevented,” the UN said in the statement. “Doing justice to this little girl requires action to protect all women and girls in Nepal from violence.”

It has urged demonstrators to raise their voice responsibly and security forces to show restraint to avoid a further escalation of the situation.

Issuing a separate statement on Wednesday, the National Human Rights Commission also urged security forces to exercise maximum restraint while dealing with protests. It also urged the Nepal government to provide compensation to the victim’s family and bring the perpetrators of the heinous crime to book.