KATHMANDU: Amnesty International has welcomed the arrest of Nepali Colonel on the charge of torture during Nepal’s civil war.
Issuing a press release on Friday, it hailed the move as an important step for victims failed by the Nepali justice system.
“This arrest may prove to be a welcome step towards accountability, but it also really highlights the Nepal government’s failure to provide justice for the thousands of victims of torture, enforced disappearance, unlawful killings and other human rights abuses in the country,” said Polly Truscott, Deputy Asia-Pacific Director in a statement.
The statement further states that despite repeated promises by the government of Nepal, there has yet to be any meaningful investigations into the multitude of abuses committed by both government forces and Maoist combatants during Nepal’s civil war.
“The Nepali government has withdrawn criminal cases against individuals with political affiliations, promoted alleged perpetrators of human rights violations to senior leadership positions and proposed amnesties which could cover serious crimes,” said Truscott .
“In short, the government of Nepal has sent a clear message to all potential abusers that there will be no consequences for their crimes,”
The Nepali government reportedly summoned the UK ambassador in Kathmandu to protest the arrest, and called for the arrested man’s immediate release.
“The government’s reaction has not been helpful. Instead of protesting an arrest that has been done fully in line with international law, the authorities should focus on its obligations to address torture and other human rights violations committed in the past,” said Truscott.
“We urge the UK authorities to take a decision on whether or not to prosecute Lama on the evidence alone, and not let pressure from Kathmandu have any influence,” read the statement.
Amnesty International continues to receive complaints of torture by Nepal’s security forces and has repeatedly called on the authorities to stop shielding perpetrators and ensure that victims receive justice.
Issuing a press release on Friday, it hailed the move as an important step for victims failed by the Nepali justice system.
“This arrest may prove to be a welcome step towards accountability, but it also really highlights the Nepal government’s failure to provide justice for the thousands of victims of torture, enforced disappearance, unlawful killings and other human rights abuses in the country,” said Polly Truscott, Deputy Asia-Pacific Director in a statement.
The statement further states that despite repeated promises by the government of Nepal, there has yet to be any meaningful investigations into the multitude of abuses committed by both government forces and Maoist combatants during Nepal’s civil war.
“The Nepali government has withdrawn criminal cases against individuals with political affiliations, promoted alleged perpetrators of human rights violations to senior leadership positions and proposed amnesties which could cover serious crimes,” said Truscott .
“In short, the government of Nepal has sent a clear message to all potential abusers that there will be no consequences for their crimes,”
The Nepali government reportedly summoned the UK ambassador in Kathmandu to protest the arrest, and called for the arrested man’s immediate release.
“The government’s reaction has not been helpful. Instead of protesting an arrest that has been done fully in line with international law, the authorities should focus on its obligations to address torture and other human rights violations committed in the past,” said Truscott.
“We urge the UK authorities to take a decision on whether or not to prosecute Lama on the evidence alone, and not let pressure from Kathmandu have any influence,” read the statement.
Amnesty International continues to receive complaints of torture by Nepal’s security forces and has repeatedly called on the authorities to stop shielding perpetrators and ensure that victims receive justice.
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