Amnesty
International: Reports on Nepal |
Vigilante
groups worsen human rights situation
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Press
release, 08/03/2005
The
emergence of government-backed vigilante groups in Nepal - known as "Village
Defence Forces" - is increasing the terror and violence experienced by
the civilian population in the country, according to evidence collected
by Amnesty International.
In
its latest report, "Nepal: fractured country, shattered lives", based on
a recent visit to Nepal, the organisation stresses that the human rights
situation in the countryside continues to deteriorate. The country remains
gripped by a brutal 9-year-long armed conflict between Maoist rebels and
the security forces.
"The
creation of these "Village Defence Forces" blurs the distinction between
combatants and non-combatants resulting in an increased number of civilian
casualties," said Purna Sen, Asia-Pacific Programme Director.
On
2 August, in response to an Amnesty International report 'Nepal: Children
caught in the conflict' issued on 26 July, the RNA stated that civilians
should not take the law into their own hands. Purna Sen said 'While such
statements from RNA headquarters are welcome, they directly contradict
the reality in the districts, where we found strong evidence of security
force support for vigilante groups'.
"Village
Defence Forces" first emerged in February 2005 in Kapilvastu district,
where, in the space of one week, mob violence orchestrated by these groups
resulted in 31 deaths and the burning of 708 homes. Since then "Village
Defence Forces" have expanded their activities elsewhere, with the support
of the government and security forces. Villagers told Amnesty International
delegates that they were being terrorised by the groups, who were forcibly
recruiting them, beating them, searching their houses and sexually harassing
local women.
Amnesty
International's latest report also highlights numerous cases of human rights
abuses by both the security forces and Maoists. Amnesty International's
delegates were able to visit Maoist suspects held in military barracks
who had been tortured in an effort to extract confessions.
"Torture
by the military is both systematic and routine. Military officials who
operate in an environment of complete impunity admitted to using ill-treatment
to extract confessions." said Purna Sen.
Amnesty
International is concerned at the continued culture of denial and impunity
within Nepal's security forces. In a statement yesterday the RNA rejected
Amnesty International's claims that security forces have detained and tortured
children as 'generic', despite detailed information about individual cases
provided by Amnesty International. Likewise, the RNA claimed to have no
knowledge of an incident of alleged extrajudicial execution of three children,
although information about this incident had been sent to the Chief of
Army Staff by Amnesty International in January 2005.
Numerous
and vicious atrocities committed by Maoist rebels were also recorded during
the visit, including the abduction and killing of civilians and unarmed
security forces personnel.
"Despite
claims from Maoist leaders that they will respect the Geneva Conventions
there is precious little evidence of this respect on the ground. Abuses
by all sides to the conflict are leaving a legacy of thousands of shattered
lives and a country riven by violence," concluded Puma Sen.
Source:
Amnesty International |
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