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OHCHR: Report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human on the situation of human rights and the activities of her including technical cooperation, in Nepal
February 2006
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Human Rights
Report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human on the situation of human rights and the activities of her including technical cooperation, in Nepal
February 16, 2006
ADVANCED UNEDITED COPY

COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS
Sixty-second session

Summary
The present report is submitted pursuant to Commission resolution 2005/78 and in the context of the Agreement signed on 10 April 2005 between the Government of the Kingdom of Nepal and the High Commissioner concerning the establishment of an office in Nepal. The report focuses on the human rights situation in Nepal and the activities of OHCHR-Nepal in the period between 1 September 2005 and late January 2006.

The Government and its security forces have shown good cooperation to OHCHR-Nepal in terms of access and availability, and have responded to communications, although some responses have fallen far short of the information requested. The Communist Party of Nepal (CPN) (Maoist) has committed to allow OHCHR-Nepal staff freedom of movement and access. OHCHR-Nepal has met with CPN (Maoist) leaders and cadres and raised concerns with them. CPN (Maoist) has responded and taken action with respect to a number of individual cases, but the majority have not received any response.

During a four-month unilateral ceasefire by CPN (Maoist) from early September 2005 to early January 2006, there was a marked reduction in killings of all kinds. Other violations by CPN (Maoist) continued, including abductions, threats and extortion, as did violations by security forces. There was a marked decline in the number of disappearances reported in 2005, but investigations continued into many disappearances from previous years.

Arbitrary arrest, detention and re-arrests of suspected members or sympathizers of CPN (Maoist) continued to be a major source of concern, reinforced by the absence of guarantees required by international standards in anti-terrorist legislation. The Special Rapporteur on the question of torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment reported that torture is systematically practised in Nepal and expressed deep concern about the prevailing culture of impunity. Allegations received by OHCHR-Nepal also indicated that torture is routine. The Government denies that torture is systematic in Nepal and maintains that it is taking appropriate action. OHCHR-Nepal regretted the serious inadequacy of efforts by security forces to investigate and hold accountable those responsible for violations of human rights and international humanitarian law, disproportionately light sentences in the few instances where action was taken, and insufficient availability of information on accountability in general.

Although the number of reported killings of civilians by CPN (Maoist) fell during its unilateral ceasefire, OHCHR-Nepal received information about killings of civilians and members of security forces who were hors de combat, abductions, other violence and threats to civilians, including Government officials, teachers, journalists and human rights defenders. The leadership of CPN (Maoist) stated that it was no longer their policy to kill any unarmed persons or to target the families of security forces personnel, and that it had taken or would take action against those responsible for violations, but OHCHR-Nepal was unable to ascertain or verify the punishment.

OHCHR-Nepal investigations in three districts found that illegal armed groups have committed threats, extortion, assaults, and killings against suspected Maoists and that, in some cases, the State either tolerated or colluded with their actions.

A sizeable population has been displaced by the armed conflict but there is continued uncertainty about the extent of forced displacement. An apparent capacity to cope with conflictinduced displacement may conceal the need for protection as well as rights at risk from displacement. Children's rights to life, physical integrity, health and education, were repeatedly violated by both sides to the conflict and there were reports of killings, beatings, arbitrary detention, recruitment or other use of children for military purposes, as well as attacks against schools and health facilities. OHCHR-Nepal investigated scores of conflict-related cases of human rights abuses against women and girls, including abuse and torture in the course of search operations by the security forces or during the presence of CPN (Maoist) in their villages. Human rights defenders, especially those working outside of the Kathmandu Valley, remained vulnerable to threats, intimidation and detention by State authorities and CPN (Maoist).

Blanket bans on demonstrations were imposed in many municipalities as a means to prevent the exercise of the right to freedom of peaceful assembly. Hundreds of political party and civil society activists were arrested in September and December during demonstrations and rallies across the country that were largely peaceful, despite attempts to enter prohibited areas and violence against police by some student demonstrators. Public protest intensified in January 2006, when authorities introduced an extensive ban to prevent a demonstration in Kathmandu and arrested more than 100 political and civil society leaders at their homes. Challenges to these restrictions and escalating protests against the arrests and the Government's intention to proceed with municipal elections increasingly involved acts of violence by demonstrators and excessive use of force by police in breaking up demonstrations and carrying out arrests. At the end of January 2006, hundreds remained detained. A Media Ordinance entrenched Government efforts to ban the broadcasting of news on FM radio stations and other restrictions on freedom of expression. In rural districts there was a consistent pattern of threats and harassment of journalists by authorities. A Government-imposed Code of Conduct for non-governmental organisations (NGOs) instituted constraints on the membership, objectives and functioning of NGOs active in Nepal, including human rights defenders. Economic impoverishment, severe social inequalities and discrimination have been aggravated by the conflict, with the rights to health, food and other economic, social and cultural rights all at risk. Members of Dalit and indigenous nationalities continue to be the victims of harassment and severe discrimination. Women members of the Dalit communities suffer multiple discrimination and women in general continue to be affected by discriminatory legislation and practices, despite recent action by the Supreme Court. OHCHR-Nepal regularly found children detained with adults and without legal representation.

In addition to monitoring and investigating human rights violations, OHCHR-Nepal provided advisory services and support to a variety of partners, including authorities. It continued to work with the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and collaborated in a review of the United Nations Development Programme project for the capacity development of NHRC. OHCHR-Nepal convened and chaired the United Nations Inter-Agency Human Rights Protection Working Group.

CONCLUSION
This report is written at a time of renewed armed conflict and of confrontation between the Government and the main political parties.

CPN (Maoist) has extended its stated commitments to observe international humanitarian law and respect human rights in its understanding with the political parties and communications with OHCHR-Nepal. Its leadership must now ensure that its cadres act in accordance with these commitments.

Violations by CPN (Maoist) cannot excuse breaches by the State of its international legal obligations. Nepal's security forces must hold accountable perpetrators of violations within their ranks, who should be excluded from participation in United Nations peacekeeping operations.

The Government's treaty commitments include respect for freedom of peaceful assembly, freedom of expression and freedom of association. It must end the arbitrary detention of political and civil society leaders, and ensure that its legislation and practice are in accordance with these rights.

The cooperation of both parties with OHCHR-Nepal is a positive element in this difficult context. The best basis for building the full respect for human rights would, however, be the peace for which the people of Nepal continue to yearn.

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Report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human on Nepal 2005
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