A Voice For the Voiceless

MISSION

The Advocacy Project seeks to help community-based advocates produce, disseminate and use information, and so become more effective advocates for human rights and social justice

Bulletin #30: Objection to the NHRC's Press Statement

We express serious concern regarding the statement issued on 1 April by the National Commission on Human Rights (NHRC). [The mission of the NHRC is to carry out investigations and fact finding missions, as well as inspection tours to prisons and other institutions under the Government of Nepal in order to provide relevant advice on the implementation of laws and rights guaranteed under the constitution to the government].

Via the April 1 statement and other comments and actions, the NHRC has demonstrated its insensitivity toward human rights violations and abuses by refusing to criticize the extrajudicial killings of civilians in Kapilwastu District, despite acknowledging evidence that the killings occurred.

The local residents and victims of Kapilwastu District gave witness to the NHRC regarding the violent activities that began on February 20, 2005 between the state, the CPN-Maoist rebels, and state-sponsored militia. Local residents also facilitated the NHRC’s visit of the areas in which the violence occurred and to the residences that had been razed.  During this crucial time, the NHRC appears to be defunct by recommending to the government to form an “inquiry committee” rather than issue its own findings, as it has been mandated to do.

We strongly condemn the NHRC’s irresponsibility toward victims of human rights abuses and for their refusal to take appropriate measures against perpetrators, as allowed by their statute.

We urge the NHRC to undertake its activities based on the “Paris Principles” that outline the protocol for the protection of civilians.  As the NHRC approaches potential changes in the membership in two months, we strongly urge the NHRC to act for the protection and promotion of human rights with dignity and in the manner that first established its good reputation.

Signed by:

Dr. Gopal Krishna Siwakoti – INHURED International
Subodh Raj Pyakurel – INSEC
Nawaraj Khatiwada – HUREP, Nepal
Dr. Rishi Adhikari – RRN
Babu Ram Gautam – WOREC
Dasu Ram Pantha – CAR-NWG
Nirbhaya Raj Poudel – HUREP, Nepal
Tarak Dhital – CWIN
Rajendra Ghirmire – CVICT
Bijaya Prasad Guikel – COCAP
Shobhakar Budhathoki – CEHURDES

Read the April 1 press release by the NHRC.

INSN is the International Nepal Solidarity Network, which has activists in over a dozen countries around the world who are working to bring democracy to Nepal. Visit their website (http://www.insn.org/) for regular updates related to the Nepal crisis.