TGW
On 14 January a delegation of Kathmandu based ambassadors led by the British envoy Dr. Andrew Hall called on the Home Minister Krishna Prasad Sitaula.
The delegation comprised of the ambassadors of the US, Denmark, France (the current president of the EU in Nepal) and a representative of the European Commission.
A press release issued by the British Embassy in Nepal
states that the ambassadors raised their concerns over the draft bill
on disappearances and the police investigation into the death of Maina
Sunuwar.
The Heads of Mission, including Norway and Finland, urged the Home Minister to uphold Nepal’s
own standards by acting in line with the 1 June Supreme Court ruling to
form an independent, impartial and credible commission on
disappearances, based on international human rights standards. This
will include: ensuring adequate powers for the Commission to initiate
inquiries of its own accord; provisions in relations to protection of
witnesses; and clarity of mandate. Also in line with the 1st.
June Supreme Court ruling, Heads of Mission urged the Home Minister to
enact a law to criminalize enforced disappearance that will have
retroactive effect.
Heads of Mission
said, among others, “we look forward to a Bill on disappearances being
passed by Parliament and we urge the Government to draft a Bill in
accordance with the Supreme Court rulings and international standards,
following open consultation with the key stakeholders including OHCHR,
NHRC, civil society and victim groups.”
As
part of the Government’s duty to uphold the rule of law, the Heads of
Mission urged the Home Minister to carry out a complete and credible
criminal investigation into those alleged to have disappeared at the
Bhairabnath Battalion and the death of Maina Sunuwar as well.
They said: “those who are guilty of crimes, both state and non-state actors, must be brought to justice if Nepal
is to become a society where violence is not tolerated. Government
action on disappearances and past human rights violations is key to
tackling the wider issue of impunity in Nepal and an important step
towards building a peaceful society based on the rule of law.”
2008-01-15 10:00:32http://www.telegraphnepal.com/news_det.php?news_id=2703
