Similarly, in August 2007, Surbir Airi and his 11 friends murdered Ajbir Sahi in Humla district. All these were convicted for their crime and jailed.
But on October 27, 2008, the government decided to release Baitha, Koirala and Airi among 349 others terming them as political prisoners. [break]
“This is the most unfortunate decision. Criminals should never be released as political prisoners,” says Gauri Pradhan, spokesperson of National Human Rights Commission (NHRC). The commission had probed many of the 349 cases and found dozens of those are purely criminal cases and crimes against humanity.
“But we were surprised to see the persons implicated by the commission being released,” says Pradhan, adding, “This is extreme impunity.”
Following the government decision to release 349 prisoners, the NHRC last month approached Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal and Home Minister Bam Dev Gautam to express its dissatisfaction. Prime Minister Dahal during his meeting with NHRC Chief Kedar Nath Upadhyaya assured that the government will review its decision if those convicted in purely criminal charges are found to be released.
“But we are not much hopeful that the government will live up to its commitment because it is still acting with impunity.,” Pradhan says.
Among those 349 persons, 131 are involved in murder and four in rape cases.
Although the government, in its decision, has stated that those released were jailed on false charges before the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Accord (CPA), many of the 349 persons committed the crimes after the signing of the CPA.
On January 1, the Supreme Court, acting on a writ petition, stayed the government decision.
The NHRC has taken the cases of Koirala and Airi much seriously as its probe had found them guilty of murders. Both these murders took place after the CPA was signed.
“The government has cheated the public with its lies,” says an NHRC official.
The Informal Sector Service Centre (Insec), a rights group, is collecting details of those convicts who were released by the government as political prisoners.
“Our preliminary investigation clearly states that the Maoists are promoting criminals,” says Subodh Pyakurel, Insec chairman.
He claims almost all of those released convicts are Maoist cadres.
He says all human rights bodies will soon approach the prime minister over the issue.
The NHRC is also planning to approach the prime minister after collecting details of the released convicts. “Currently, we are collecting details from our regional offices and will soon approach the government with a strong fact sheet,” says NHRC spokesperson Pradhan.
District-wise murder/rape case, withdrawn by the government:
- Panchthar—8
- Morang—2
- Dhankuta—7
- Sankhuwasabha—2
- Siraha—1
- Rautahat—4 (rape)
- Gorkha—60
- Rolpa—5
- Banke—1
- Dailekh—7
- Surkhet—6
- Humla—11
- Kailali—2
- Kanchanpur—3
ghanashyam@myrepublica.com
Related story
Should rapists be killed?
