Torture and forced child labour: UN experts find Nepal violated human rights
GENEVA (27 August 2019) — Nepal must remove all existing obstacles that hinder victims of torture and forced labour in
filing complaints, the UN Human Rights Committee said in a decision published today in Geneva.
The full decision is available to read on-line https://tbinternet.ohchr.org/_layouts/15/treatybodyexternal/Download.aspx?symbolno=CCPR%2fC%2f126%2fD%2f2773%2f2016=en
.
The Committee’s decision came in response to an individual complaint from Mr. Bholi Pharaka (pseudonym), a member of an
indigenous group who was a domestic worker in Kathmandu from the age of 9. He was forced to work every day from 4 a.m.
until 10 p.m., not allowed to go to school and never received payment for his work. He was also subjected to physical
and psychological abuse. After two years, he escaped, but soon thereafter was falsely accused of theft by his former
master, arrested and tortured during police interrogation.
After the victim and his family’s multiple attempts to file complaints failed, his case made its way to the Human Rights
Committee via a Swiss NGO (TRIAL International), which assisted him in bringing his petition to the international level.
The Human Rights Committee has a mandate to review complaints from individuals who have suffered human rights violations
when those victims have been denied justice in their home countries. In its decision, the Committee found that Nepal
violated a number of provisions of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and called on Nepal to amend
its legislation and statutes of limitations in accordance with international standards and to criminalize torture and
slavery with sanctions and remedies commensurate with the gravity of such crimes.
“The life of someone is shattered after enduring torture and forced labour as a child. Access to justice and
accountability are essential for victims to rebuild their lives and recover their dignity. It is our hope that Nepal
will take all necessary measures to protect and help victims of such acts regain their lives,” said Hélène Trigroudja,
Member of the Committee.
In its decision, the Committee requested Nepal to report back within 180 days detailing the measures it had taken to
remedy the situation.
ENDS