PHA-Exchange> Disappearence of Dr. Mahesh Maskey, Shyam Shrestha and Pramod Kafle

[Mathura P Shrestha]

Dear All

A team of Intellectual Solidarity, Nepal comprising Dr. Mahesh Maskey, Shyam
Shrestha and Pramod Kafle Checked in the Tribhuvan International Airport to
board an IC814 plane to go to Delhi to attend an Interaction Meeting Nepal
Concern Group of South Asian People's Solidarity yesterday. The objective of
their visit was to clarify human rights situation in Nepal and to brief the
challenges and opportunity to have peaceful political solution of the
problem of Maoist insurgency through dialogue. The Professional Solidarity
had recently presented open memorandum for the purpose to both the
government and Maoists through an open meeting in Kathmandu. The effort was
appreciated by the people of Nepal as timely, balances and impartial.

The organizers in Delhi phoned that the plane arrived in New Delhi without
the above said participants. Nothing could be heard from them. The relatives
too did not hear their whereabouts from any source. Hectic attempts by the
Solidarity, human rights organizations and the relatives to know their
whereabouts failed with no information whatsoever till 10.00 PM yesterday.
Government sources including police would not confirm any thing. Even Prime
Minister was ignorant about their status and their whereabouts. By 11 a
reliable source informed the wife of Shyam Shrestha that the team was
whisked away by military without any warrants or letting anybody to know
about the arrest. They are presumably kept in the Royal Army Headquarters.
But nothing is known for sure. When some political parties inquired the
Prime Minister verbally confirmed today at 12 noon that they were really
arrested by the military and taken to undisclosed place. He assured their
early release but they are not released as of now.
The illegality of the arrest can be advocated because of the following
reasons:

1. They were arrested by the military when there is a civilian rule.
Although Emergency is declared military rule or the Marshall law is not.
2. No earlier notification and possibly no warrant.
3. No information of their whereabouts by the government authority or the
army.
4. The victims could not inform their relatives or friends probably they
were forcibly barred to do so.

The joint meeting of the Solidarity and nine Human Rights organizations of
Nepal today morning strongly condemned the disappearance and demanded
immediate information about their whereabouts, to declare the reason of
their arrest or disappearance, to allow their relatives and friends
including human rights organization to meet them, and to release them
immediately with due explanation or apology. The group also met responsible
members of several political parties including the leader of opposition
party to press their release and to ensure democratic climate in the
country. The group also conducted a press conference today afternoon which
was attended by more than 30 media personnel.

Dr. Mahesh Maskey completed his undergraduate medical education from India,
did his MPH from University of Leeds, UK and completed his DSc in
Epidemiology in Boston University (a six year doctorate program). Hew is a
senior lecturer in Institute of Medicine. He is an active member of
coordinating committee of Intellectual Solidarity Nepal and activist for
social justice, human rights and people's empowerment. He played an active
role in 1990 Movement for Democracy in Nepal.

Shyam Shrestha is an Editor-In-Chief of a magazine. Mulyankam. He is the
secretary of Movement for the Protection of Democratic Rights. He is also
very active in human rights and social justice. A popular activist and
advocate for the people.

Pramod Kafle is the Chairperson of GRINSO and General Secretary of Forum for
the Protection of Human Rights (FOPHUR).

Similarly, a few days back Dr. Prakash Man Shrestha, an elected member of
University Teacher's Association, TU was abducted forcefully by the military
in the midnight and his whereabouts is not known. Other prominent figures
disappearing after abduction by the military are Gopal Budhathoki, a
Journalist and Ramnath Mainali, an advocate of law.

Sincerely,
Professor Mathura P. Shrestha, MD
Chair, Intellectual Solidarity Nepal; Principle Advisor to Physicians for
Social Responsibility Nepal (Previously its founding president); and Advisor
to Alliance for Social Justice and Human Rights.