Impunity remains unchecked in Nepal: Kang | Nepal |
Addressing a news conference in Kathmandu at the end of her five-day
visit to Nepal, Kang said, “When the High Commissioner (Louise Arbour)
visited Nepal one year ago, she focused on two main issues: the need to
end impunity and the need to address deep-rooted discrimination. A year
later, impunity remains unchecked in Nepal and not one perpetrator of
past or on-going human rights violations has been convicted as a result
of a criminal investigation.”
Saying that consolidation of the peace process will continue to be at risk without political will on the part of the authorities to end the culture of impunity, the Deputy High Commissioner emphasised that the agreements between the parties to set up the commission on disappearances and a Truth and Reconciliation Commission, must be implemented at the earliest.
“These Commissions must be set up in accordance with international standards if they are to guarantee the rights of victims and their relatives to truth, justice and reparations. OHCHR-Nepal Office has already offered assistance and advice and will continue to do so,” Kang added.
She noted that the prevailing impunity as well as a security vacuum due to weak law enforcement and criminal justice has led to an increase in violent actions, including killings and abductions by armed groups.
“We are especially concerned about the increasing number of explosions in the context of political rallies, some of which occurred during my visit. The explosions and other violent actions have had a serious impact on the enjoyment of the human rights of the population in the Terai, particularly the rights to life, freedom of assembly and association,” she said and added that these acts of violence only served the interests of those seeking to disrupt the peace process and upset the forthcoming constituent assembly elections.
Kang also said that caste-based, gender-based and ethnicity-based discrimination still remained entrenched in Nepali society.
“I was alarmed by the testimonies from the family of victims of gender based violence in Nepalgunj and from members of civil society fighting to end such violence. Discrimination in all its forms must be addressed systematically and with determination or it will continue to place the peace process at risk.”
She, however, expressed satisfaction some of the developments including the appointment of commissioners to the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and the Supreme Court’s order on involuntary disappearances.
During her stay here, the Deputy High Commissioner visited Banke and Kapilvastu districts, the two districts worst affected by communal violence last year, and held interactions with government ministers, senior army officials, Maoist leadership and officials of the NHRC. nepalnews.com mk Feb 03 08
http://www.nepalnews.com/archive/2008/feb/feb03/news14.php
“These Commissions must be set up in accordance with international standards if they are to guarantee the rights of victims and their relatives to truth, justice and reparations. OHCHR-Nepal Office has already offered assistance and advice and will continue to do so,” Kang added.
She noted that the prevailing impunity as well as a security vacuum due to weak law enforcement and criminal justice has led to an increase in violent actions, including killings and abductions by armed groups.
“We are especially concerned about the increasing number of explosions in the context of political rallies, some of which occurred during my visit. The explosions and other violent actions have had a serious impact on the enjoyment of the human rights of the population in the Terai, particularly the rights to life, freedom of assembly and association,” she said and added that these acts of violence only served the interests of those seeking to disrupt the peace process and upset the forthcoming constituent assembly elections.
Kang also said that caste-based, gender-based and ethnicity-based discrimination still remained entrenched in Nepali society.
“I was alarmed by the testimonies from the family of victims of gender based violence in Nepalgunj and from members of civil society fighting to end such violence. Discrimination in all its forms must be addressed systematically and with determination or it will continue to place the peace process at risk.”
She, however, expressed satisfaction some of the developments including the appointment of commissioners to the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and the Supreme Court’s order on involuntary disappearances.
During her stay here, the Deputy High Commissioner visited Banke and Kapilvastu districts, the two districts worst affected by communal violence last year, and held interactions with government ministers, senior army officials, Maoist leadership and officials of the NHRC. nepalnews.com mk Feb 03 08
http://www.nepalnews.com/archive/2008/feb/feb03/news14.php
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