Front Line Press Release
24 April 2006, 19.00 (Kathmandu time)
At the end of a five-day mission to Nepal, Front Line Deputy Director, Andrew Anderson, expressed the organization’s deep concern about the brutal repression of those peacefully demonstrating for the restoration of human rights and democracy in Nepal as well as the continued detention of more than 200 human rights defenders. Over recent days, Front Line has met with Nepalese human rights defenders, including some of those detained, and monitored the protests in the Kathmandu area.
Front Line met with Krishna Pahadi, Shyam Shrestha and Dr Devendra Raj Panday at their places of detention during the last two days. It is outrageous that these human rights defenders continue to be arbitrarily detained without charge or trial for more than 90 days.
“If the authorities are serious about seeking a peaceful resolution of the crisis they should immediately release these three, and all those detained illegally for their defence of human rights,” said Andrew Anderson.
Front Line has directly witnessed the consequences of the excessive use of force by police and army against peaceful demonstrators. According to reports, at least 18 peaceful protesters have been killed and over 3,000 wounded (mainly head wounds) since protests began on 5 April. Such beating of demonstrators over the head, many whilst they were running away, is contrary to international law with regard to the use of force and those responsible should be brought to justice.
The repeated use of extended curfews to try and prevent peaceful demonstrations is contrary to Nepal’s commitments to uphold freedom of expression and association as specified under international law. The UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders also specifically provides in article 5: “for the purpose of promoting and protecting human rights and fundamental freedoms, everyone has the right, individually and in association with others, at the national and international levels to meet or assemble peacefully.”
With massive peaceful protests planned for 25th April Front Line has expressed grave concern about the potential for further excessive use of force by the authorities. Front Line has called on the Nepalese authorities to:
1) Immediately release Krishna Pahadi, Dr. Devendra Raj Panday, Shyam Shrestha, Dr. Mahesh Maskey, Dr. Saroj Dhital, Charan Prasain, Kanak Mani Dixit, Laxman Aryal, Padma Ratna Tuladhar, Dr. Mahesh Maskey and all other human rights defenders who have been imprisoned solely for their legitimate human rights work, and to stop using the Public Security Act and other anti-terrorist legislation to incarcerate and prevent human rights defenders from carrying out their legitimate work.
2) Cease the violent repression of pro-democracy supporters and release all those who have been arrested.
3) End the extensive use of curfew orders and ensure the right to peaceful freedom of expression and assembly is respected.
4) Ensure that all human rights defenders in Nepal are free to carry out their legitimate human rights activities without fear of reprisals;
Front Line is also calling on the international community, including the European Union, to intensify their efforts to press the Nepalese authorities to ensure the protection of human rights defenders in conformity with article 12 of the UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders which states that: “everyone has the right, individually and in association with others, to participate in peaceful activities against violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms.”