Amnesty International Reports Alarming rise in "disappearances" fuelling human rights crisis Human rights defenders under threats Amnesty International Reports Nepal

August 2004

Amnesty International has revealed that 378 cases of "disappearance" in Nepal have been reported to the organisation in the last year, more cases than in the previous five years put together. In its report, Nepal: Escalating 'disappearances' amid a culture of impunity, Amnesty International describes a growing culture of impunity in which security forces regularly obstruct investigations into "disappearances" by Nepal's courts and National Human Rights Commission. "The dramatic escalation in 'disappearances' is not only causing massive suffering to the victims and their families but is also undermining the rule of law as well as the trust of ordinary Nepalis in their security forces and government," Amnesty International said.

The organisation has frequently raised concerns about the "disappearance" at the hands of security forces of those suspected of involvement in the Communist Party of Nepal (CPN) (Maoist), a rebel group that has been fighting an eight-year "peoples war" with government forces. However, it appears that these abuses are now taking place on an unprecedented scale with an average of at least a case a day now being reported to Amnesty International.

Since 1998, Amnesty International has received reports of 622 cases of "disappearance", hundreds of cases of extrajudicial executions, thousands of arbitrary arrests and widespread torture by security forces. The organisation has also received numerous reports of abductions, torture and killings by the CPN (Maoist) and has frequently called on its leadership to end these abuses and abide by international humanitarian law.

"The unprecedented number of 'disappearances' is one of the most pressing human rights issues facing Nepal. Only by tackling the culture of abuse, ending the impunity of security forces and putting in place comprehensive legal and institutional reforms can the government halt the slide towards a human rights disaster," Amnesty International said.

May 2004

Amnesty International, in its report 'Nepal human rights defenders under threat' asked the to Maoists and government to ensure safeguarding human rights and release the detained and abducted individuals. The report has urged the warring factions to immediately stop all human rights violations. It has stated that social workers and journalists working for human rights have become the target of both the security forces and Maoists. It has also demanded the government to probe all allegations of torture, inhumane treatment and disappearances and bring the guilty to book. Citing incidents recruiting children under 16 in its army, murder and torture, Amnesty International urged the rebels to refrain from such brutal behaviors.

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL
Report
28 July 2004

Human rights defenders in Nepal have found themselves on the front line of the country's human rights crisis.

As a result of their efforts to investigate reports of widespread human rights violations committed by members of the security forces and the Communist Party of Nepal (CPN) (Maoist) in the context of the armed conflict they have often found their lives, and those of their families, in danger from both sides. Many human rights defenders have been arbitrarily arrested; some have been tortured or ill-treated; others have been abducted and killed or "disappeared".(1)

Nepal for over a decade has had a vibrant human rights movement with its roots in a strong civil society. Amnesty International itself established its first office in Kathmandu in 1971. Another of the older human rights groups was established in 1988 followed by several new organisations which began functioning openly from 1990 onwards, after the restoration of democracy. The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) was established in June 2000 to monitor human rights abuses throughout the country. These organisations and other human rights defenders such as lawyers and journalists have been at the forefront of investigative work into reports of human rights abuses, often at great risk to the individuals concerned.

Amnesty International - World