OHCHR: CPN (Maoist) human rights issues June 2006 Links

27 June 2006 HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR HUMAN RIGHT, Press Release

OHCHR URGES THE INVESTIGATION AND PREVENTION OF SERIOUS HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES BY CPN-M At a meeting with the CPN-M leadership on 23 June 2006 and in a subsequent letter of 26 June, OHCHR raised its concerns regarding a series of abductions and killings attributed to CPN-M cadres in the Central Region, which have resulted in the deaths of nine individuals since 3 May 2006. It also raised the cases of two individuals who were reportedly abducted in Kathmandu and severely beaten in Kavre. In most of the cases, the victims were accused of "crimes" or "offences" and were apparently under investigation. In some of those cases, local CPN-M leaders had accepted responsibility and had apologized. OHCHR remains concerned, however, that civilians continue to be abducted and held by the CPN-M in spite of repeated expressions of concern by OHCHR.

During the meeting with OHCHR, the CPN-M leadership gave assurances that such killings are not CPN-M policy and that the CPN-M takes these cases very seriously. It also stated that investigations will be carried out and that any CPN-M cadres found responsible will be punished.

OHCHR has continued to emphasize in its meetings with CPN-M leaders that abductions of civilians for any reason are in violation of CPN-M's commitment to international human rights standards. These abductions and related investigations and punishment fail to provide even minimum guarantees of due process and fair trial. As a consequence, victims of abductions are vulnerable to other violations of their human rights, particularly their right to life and physical integrity, as in the noted cases. OHCHR concerns in this regard also apply to CPN-M cadres accused of crimes.

Speaking as Officer-in-Charge of OHCHR, David Johnson said that "Civilians and CPN-M cadres suspected of criminal activity should be turned over to the relevant State authorities so that they can be investigated and where appropriate, prosecuted in a timely manner in accordance with international due process and fair trial standards. In the meantime, OHCHR urges the CPN-M leadership to set up an internal oversight mechanism at the national level to ensure that thorough investigations into allegations of abuses by its own cadres are undertaken in order to prevent such abuses in the future."

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