The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) is releasing a follow-up statement to complement the information that it provided in a statement yesterday concerning the arrests of over 100 political leaders and human rights activists, in a serious development in the deteriorating human rights situation in Nepal (http://www.ahrchk.net/statements/mainfile.php/2006statements/413/). The AHRC has received the following information concerning the capital and various regions in Nepal, on a day of further repression of legitimate political protests in the country:
Kathmandu: A curfew was imposed from 8 am and was scheduled to last until 6 pm. This comes in addition to the curfew already in force from 9 pm to 4 am. Given that the security forces have been given the authority to shoot to kill persons during the curfew hours and the continuing disruption of mobile phone services, the planned large-scale pro-democracy rallies demonstrations were too dangerous to hold in the capital, Kathmandu. Reports indicate that the Nepal Sadbhawana party organized the small rally in Sundhara before the curfew in the morning. As a result, at least two dozen demonstrators were arrested, including: Rajendra Mahato (General Secretary – GS); Anil K. Jha (Joint-GS); Manish Kumar Suman (Central Member – CM); Urmila Panday (Womens Forum GS); Raj Narayan Shah (Youth Forum Chairperson); and Bindeswor Yadav (Student Forum Leader).
Leaders of political parties who had not already been arrested on January 18 and 19, 2006, have been placed under house arrest, including: Madav Kumar Nepal (GS – UML); Girija Prasad Koirala (Nepali Congress ?NC – Chairperson); Narayanman Bijukshe (Nepal Workers Peasants Party); Bharat Mohan Adhikary (CM UML); Khadga Oli (CM UML). Most of these persons have been detained under 3-month detention orders. Their telephone land-lines have been cut off.
More than 200 persons have been arrested in the Gausala area of Kathmandu, although the AHRC has still not received a list detailing the identities of these detainees, as they have been sent to different detention centres. Those detained in Gausala police post that we have been able to identify are as follows: Bhola Panjiyar (NC); Srawan Kumar Kushiyat (Tarun Dal); Mahesh Kumar Basnet (Tarun Dal); Pradeep Kumar Rawl (NC); Ram Batan Thakur (NC); Thadi Prasad yadav (NC); Balram Yadav (non-affiliated).
Mid-Western Region
Surkhet: More than 2 dozen students have been arrested and around 6 of them were injured in the process in Surkhet. The security forces reportedly entered the premises of Surkhet Education Campus at 7:30 am and arrested the students. During the arrest, security forces charged the students using Latthi’s (sticks). There were also several clashes between students and security personnel in front of the Birendra Multiple College of Surkhet and some seven students were arrested from there. The arrested students were detained in the District Police Office in Birendranagar. After the clashes, a large number of army personnel have mobilized in the Bazaar Area.
Nepalgunj- no persons were arrested here despite a peaceful demonstration having taken place, in which some 500 people participated.
Eastern Region
Birtamod Jhapa: Reports indicate that between 14,000 and 15,000 peaceful demonstrators marched in Birtamod, Jhapa and assembled in one place. None have been arrested and speeches are going on in a peaceful way.
Western region
The AHRC has received reports that there were clashes between the police and demonstrators in several places including Nawalparasi, Sangja, Chitwan and Palpa in this region. In Butwal a motorcycle rally was attended by around a dozen persons, who were arrested. Four people arrested in Nawalparasi are named as: Sanjay Yadav (Nepali Congress – Democratic); Radheshyam Pathak Nawalparasi (District President of Nepal Trade Union Congress) – arrested from his home at Ramgram Municipality ward No. 3, Nawalparasi last night; Satra Jeet Yadav (District President of Nepal Sadvawana Party); and Kailash Thakur (Human Rights Organisations of Nepal – HURON). The AHRC denounces the continuing repression of peaceful demonstrations and the widespread arrests. There are considerable fears that the arrested persons will be subjected to torture and/or forced disappearance, as these practices are systematic and widespread in Nepal. The AHRC notes the statement of international bodies and governments around the globe that have denounced the King’s actions in the last few days. UN Secretary General Koffi Anan has declared his “dismay” at the developments in Nepal and urged “all sides for calm, the suspension of fighting and the urgent initiation of an inclusive national dialogue” The Indian government has, for its part, called these events “regrettable” and of “great concern” Similar statements have been issued by the European Union, the United States, the United Kingdom and Japan.
The AHRC will continue to monitor the unraveling crisis in Nepal and release information concerning the developments. The AHRC reiterates its call for the King to immediately release all persons arrested and detained for “infringements” of the disproportionate curfew and anti-constitutional ban on demonstrations, for these draconian measures to be repealed, and for the demonstrations not only to be allowed to proceed unhindered but for their demands to be heeded, enabling a truly democratic process to take place in Nepal.
About AHRC The Asian Human Rights Commission is a regional non-governmental organisation monitoring and lobbying human rights issues in Asia. The Hong Kong-based group was founded in 1984
