The AI, in its annual report globally launched on Thursday said efforts to ensure accountability for human rights violations and victims´ rights to justice, truth and reparation were seriously undermined by the government´s promotion of individuals alleged to have committed human rights violations to senior public positions. [break]
“Kuber Singh Rana, the subject of ongoing criminal investigations into the 2003 enforced disappearances and extrajudicial execution of five students in Dhanusha district, was promoted to the rank of Inspector General of Police in September,” said the international human rights body.
The AI also criticized the government for promoting Raju Basnet, a colonel suspected of involvement in war crimes, to the rank of Brigadier General in October.
The AI criticized the government for withdrawal of criminal cases against individuals affiliated with political parties. “No clear definition of a “political case” was provided, and many cases recommended for withdrawal involved murder, abduction and other serious crimes,” stated the report.
It said that debates on federalism led to political violence in several parts of the country and that arbitrary detention, torture and extrajudicial executions were reported throughout the year.
The report stated that confrontational political rhetoric around the model of federalism to be adopted and demands for greater autonomy for ethnic minorities and indigenous peoples has increased, leading to violent clashes and divisions between and within political parties.
“On 28 August, the council of ministers proposed an ordinance to establish a Commission of Inquiry on Disappeared Persons, Truth and Reconciliation, sidelining plans for two separate commissions to cover these issues. The new commission would have the power to recommend amnesties for serious human rights violations but no mandate to recommend prosecutions for alleged crimes, ignoring Nepal´s legal obligations to prosecute crimes under international law,” stated the AI.
AI has also documented that torture and other ill-treatment of men, women and children in police custody remained widespread.
Asked what the AI does to prevent such situation, AI Director Ramesh Nepal said they constantly exert pressure on the government to end impunity. “We always get positive response from the government but it is just the opposite in practice.”
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