PHA-Exchange> Extreme instance of human rights violation by the security force of Nepal.

[Mathura P Shrestha]

09/04/2004 10:02:55 PM

Extreme instance of human rights violation by the security force of Nepal.

Dear All 

Since yesterday midnight Kathmandu Valley was declared the riot zone with a ban to all political activities including assembly of more than 5 at a place. The ban was openly challenged by people of Nepal with a massive demonstration of about 50,000 people in Democracy Avenue (Ratna Park) converging simultaneously from different parts/streets of Kathmandu. The security forces, about 5,000 strong, systematically attacked peaceful demonstrators and arrested more than 3,000 persons including top leaders of all five major political parties including Madav Nepal, nine human rights leaders including Krishna Pahari and one journalist. A team of 50 human rights observers found the demonstration completely peaceful and nonprovokative. The arrested were hurdled in more than 50 trucks (private trucks captured by police), and vans and taken to various places. The slogan was against monarchy royal regression and for democracy and republic. Naturally the arrested persons yelled most radical slogan when they were transported in the packed trucks and vans. Sone 500 people were taken to Thankot Park. Fate of them are still not known. Others were put in Police Club, stadium, Government Food Depot at Thapathali and various places yet to be traced. Human rights observers led by Mr. Subodh Pyakuryal, Chairperson of INSEC, sent telephone message from Food Depot at 10.00 PM that there are about 1256 people hurdled on the ground without shelter, light and toilet facilities, and without any food or even appropriate light. Worse, it is raining and cold and no action is taken to protect them. There are many women with no separate place for them. Among the detained is Mr Bal Bala Bahadur Rai, 83 year old senior congress leader and many heart and diabetic patients. Only a few political leaders and demonstrators from Police Club was released at about 6.00 PM. The observers are yet to visit other places where many demonstrators are detained without food or any protection.

Please condemn the barbaric act of Nepal Government having one of worst track record of human rights violation in the world.

With regards

Mathura P. Shrestha

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