Nepal: Human rights must be a priority!
In response to the cease-fire announced by the government of Nepal and the leaders of the Communist Party of Nepal
(Maoist) on 29 January 2003, Amnesty International today urged both parties to make human rights an integral part of the
agenda for peace negotiations, which are reportedly due to start soon. The organization appealed to the Government and
the leaders of the Maoists to ensure that practical measures to prevent further killings, "disappearances", torture and
abductions carried out by both sides during the Maoist "people's war" are made part of the discussions, negotiated and
promoted as soon as possible.
Amnesty International also suggested the following measures:
the establishment of a mutually agreed human rights monitoring mechanism, including international human rights monitors
with a strong human rights protection mandate; ensure independent investigations into all allegations of human rights
abuses reported in the context of the "people's war" by a body that has the powers and capacity to ensure full
accountability for these abuses, and grant compensation to the victims or their relatives; an independent review of the
cases of all prisoners currently held under the Terrorist and Disruptive Activities Act (TADA) with a view to release
all those against whom there is no evidence of involvement in criminal activities; return of all children recruited as
soldiers by the Maoists to their homes, with adequate provisions for their rehabilitation into society. Amnesty
International also announced its intention to submit to all parties concerned a proposal to visit Nepal to discuss how
the cease-fire and imminent peace talks can be used by both sides as a real opportunity to improve the human rights
situation in the country.
Background
In a report published on 19 December 2002, Amnesty International raised its concerns at a rapidly deteriorating human
rights situation in Nepal. It urged the government to invite international assistance to provide increased human rights
protection and create a law enforcement system capable of addressing reports of human rights violations with greater
transparency and accountability.
Among the human rights violations by the security forces documented by Amnesty International were thousands of unlawful
killings, more than 200 "disappearances", widespread torture and arbitrary arrest and detention under the TADA.
Human rights abuses by the Maoists have included deliberate killings of an estimated 900 civilians considered "enemies
of the revolution", hostage-taking for ransom, torturing of people taken captive and deliberate killings of members of
the security forces after they were taken captive. The Maoists have also been responsible for the recruitment of
children into their ranks.
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