Nepal: Ongoing attacks and threats against two women human rights defenders

Rita Mahato, staff members of the Women’s Rehabilitation Centre (WOREC)

Rita Mahato and Dev Kumari Mahara, staff members of the Women’s Rehabilitation Centre (WOREC) in Siraha district, Nepal received threats of rape and murder on 14 June 2007. These threats are the latest in a series of threats against the two human rights defenders.

Since April 2007, both Rita Mahato and Dev Kumari Mahara have been receiving threats of assault, rape, kidnapping, physical torture and death from identified persons implicated in cases of rape currently being investigated by WOREC. On 2 June 2007, unidentified individuals attacked the premises of WOREC by throwing bricks through the office windows and at staff members, who went outside to investigate the situation. On 14 June about 70 men reportedly went to the offices of WOREC and warned the staff that if they did not leave the village within five days they would be raped and killed. According to WOREC staff members, the police have yet to act on their requests for protection.

Founded in 1991, WOREC is a non-governmental organisation working on social justice and human rights, specifically women’s rights, and the rights of marginalized groups in Nepal. WOREC has been active in investigating and documenting cases of rape and other cases of violence against women.

Front Line is concerned that this attack and the threats made against staff members of WOREC are related to the organisation’s work in the defence of human rights, in particular women's rights. Front Line urges the Nepalese authorities to initiate an immediate investigation into this attack and the threats against staff members of WOREC, with a view to identifying those parties responsible and bringing them before a competent and impartial tribunal, applying sanctions as outlined by the law and establising or maintaining protective measures.