20 April 2005
Nepal: Human rights abuses escalate under the state of emergency
Amnesty International today expressed serious concern at the growing catalogue of human rights abuses committed by the
Nepali security forces and Maoist rebels since King Gyanendra declared a state of emergency on 1 February 2005. The
organisation stressed that the government of Nepal must immediately restore full rights and freedoms to the Nepali
people and called on both sides to the conflict to respect human rights and end impunity for abuses.
In a report entitled "Nepal:Human rights abuses escalate under the state of emergency", which was launched today (
http://amnesty-news.c.topica.com/maadqSVabgguAbb0hPub/ ), Amnesty International describes some of the grave human rights
abuses that have been committed since 1 February.
Questioning the Nepal government's claims that the state of emergency is being "relaxed" the report points to the
continued suspension of fundamental rights and ongoing media censorship, as well as the thousands of political arrests
over the last two and a half months.
The report describes how legal safeguards against human rights abuses have virtually collapsed since the state of
emergency. It also raises concerns that the independence of the judiciary and National Human Rights Commission is at
risk because of pressure on these institutions to support the King's 1 February move.
Noting the serious threats faced by Nepal's human rights community described in the report, Purna Sen, Asia Pacific
Programme Director at Amnesty International, said "Human rights defenders must be allowed to carry out their work free
from harassment or threat. All restrictions on investigating and reporting should be lifted to allow the Nepali people
and the world to hear a full account of the human rights situation in Nepal".
Challenging claims made by Foreign Minister Pandey in Geneva last month that the King's move will bring "stability and
security", the Amnesty International report highlights the recent escalation in violence and large number of casualties,
including many civilians. The organisation also expresses serious concern about the emergence of mob violence -
apparently encouraged by the state - which has spread terror among local communities.
Welcoming the agreement reached last week at the United Nations Commission on Human Rights for nationwide human rights
monitoring by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Purna Sen commented "This is a very important step
towards improving the appalling human rights situation that the Nepali people face today. However, the international
community cannot afford to be complacent. The world must remain alert to the grave human rights situation in Nepal and
ensure that the commitments made over the last few weeks are implemented in full".
For the full text of the report, please go to: http://amnesty-news.c.topica.com/maadqSVabgguAbb0hPub/
ENDS