UPDATE (Nepal): Citizens at risk as human rights violations continue 

[Re: UP-18-2005: NEPAL: Additional lists of arrested political leaders/activists and human rights defenders; UP-16-2005: NEPAL: List of arrested political leaders and human rights defenders; International intervention is urgently required; UG-01-2005: NEPAL: Latest information on the situation in districts in Nepal; FA-05-2005: NEPAL:  Updates regarding emergency situation on Nepal; FA-03-2005:  NEPAL: Latest information regarding emergency situation on Nepal]

Dear friends,

The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) is sending you the latest information received regarding the situation in various districts within Nepal (up until 21 February 2005) since the take over by King Gyanendra on February 1.

We also refer you to our recent statements issued on the situation in Nepal:
AS-19-2005:  Time to act — New guidelines instruct Nepalese media to tell lies
AS-15-2005: Nepal: International community needs a strategy: Coup wiping out Nepali democracy is consolidating itself; life and liberty of many is at risk
AS-13-2005: February will be a chilling month for Democrats, Human Rights Workers and Media in Nepal

Our previous urgent appeals on the situation are as follows:
UP-18-2005: NEPAL: Additional lists of arrested political leaders/activists and human rights defenders
UP-16-2005: NEPAL: List of arrested political leaders and human rights defenders; International intervention is urgently required
UG-01-2005: NEPAL: Latest information on the situation in districts in Nepal
FA-05-2005: NEPAL:  Updates regarding emergency situation on Nepal
FA-03-2005:  NEPAL: Latest information regarding emergency situation on Nepal

We urge you to immediately intervene in this situation and demand that the international community plays a more serious role in establishing rule of law and democracy to Nepal.

Urgent Appeals Desk
Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC)
—————————————————————-

UPDATED INFORMATION (up until 21 February 2005):

Nepalgunj District

On 19 February 2005 the Maoists planted bombs in various offices in Nepalgunj including the Revenue Collection Offices, as well as open spaces such as at the District Development Committee’s gate, the road near the District Court and the road near the Nepal Medical Teaching Hospital.

Three civilians, Rabindra Niraula, Bhaskar Regmi and Prakash Niraula were injured due to these bombs. They are under medical treatment at the Bheri Zonal Hospital, Banke.

Security forces managed to remove bombs put in the City Office and the M.P School.

Following these incidents, the security of the city has been tightened. Security forces have been dispersed everywhere. Only light vehicles are seen on the streets, and security forces body-search all passengers. Due to fear, most schools remain closed.

On February 19, Arun Koirala, the local leader of the Nepali Congress Party was been arrested from Nepalgunj.

Morang District

On Februay 13 the Maoists held a programme to celebrate their anniversary in the compound of the Village Development Committee of Mangalbare. On the same day there was another programme organized by school children and their parents to pray for the goddess of Knowledge (Saraswoti Puja) at a nearby school.

The Maoists had blocked the road by felling trees in several places so no one could enter the place to disturb their programme. However, security forces from the Eastern Pritana Headquarters, Itahari were already camping at a nearby village.

Those gathered to celebrate the Maoist anniversary went to the site at that village where two Maoist cadres who had been killed the day before (February 12) were buried. They had an encounter with the security forces, whereby three security personnel were killed and five injured, while the Maoists stole their arms and ammunition.

Following the incident, helicopters arrived at the site with additional security forces. Unable to land however, they began firing from the helicopters. Farmers who came out to the bazaar to sell milk reported that about 60 people were killed, including school children.

The Maoists called for an uncertain close down of the schools of the Pathari and Sanischare area.

Journalists and local activists who attempted to visit the place were denied access by the security forces, so the situation is unclear. Reports state that no one from Jante is allowed to go in or out and is under the control of security forces.

The Maoists had also set off 6/6 bombs at Sanischare VDC and Pathari VDC, Morang on February 13. Few vehicles were running on the Itahari-Damak side on February 14, but a motor, tripping the armies was ambushed at Jaya-chwok.

16 – 17 February 2005

A bus was burnt on February 16, on its way from Dharan to Biratnagar, and another was burnt at Biratnagar-19, Rani on February 17. The Maoists attempted to burn yet another bus in the area but were not successful.

There is little traffic moving from Biratnagar to Kakarvitta or Jhapa, Ilam.

18 February 2005

Government officials organized a march on the occasion of Democracy Day on February 18 and sent letters to schools requiring the mandatory participation of all students.

Political parties also organized a surprise protest rally in Biratnagar for only ten minutes, dispersing before the intervention of the security forces.

Baglung Distirct

Indra Lal Sapkota (35), resident of Malika VDC-1, Dhurpool, Bandre village, lawyer by profession and a member of the Applet Court Bar Unit, Baglung was arrested on February16. He had political affiliations with CPN UML and vice-secretary of NCP (UML).  At 8:45 on February 16, he was in a shop at Shivadhara Chwok, Baglung when 5-7 police personnel in uniforms under the command of inspector Umesh Ranjit came to the shop and asked him to go with them. After his arrest, no one was allowed to visit him. Although a lawyer was told that no one could meet him for another two days, he has since been sent to the Baglung prison under a preventive detention order.

Extrajudicial killings

Dilli Prasad Sharma Sapkota ‘Pukar’, a Maoist cadre originally from Baglung municipality-4, Handepakha was killed on February 7 at 3:00pm at Pala VDC-9, Daanbishaula by a group of security forces deputed from DPO, No. 23 Bahini Baglung and Khadga Dhal Gulma.

The victim was at Daanbishaula for his party work and was staying at Prem Bahadur Karki’s house. When a group of security personnel arrived at the village with a dog, Dilli Prasad Sharma and another person named Bikiran attempted to escape. Bikiran went in one direction while Pukar went in another. However, after some time the dog found Dilli hiding near the road. According to eye witnesses, after his arrest Dilli was blind-folded and taken to a nearby tree to which his hands were tied. He was kicked and beaten up with hands and the butts of the soldiers’ guns. He was questioned about other Maoists in the village, how much money they had collected and from whom.

Security forces also arrested Shiva Saran Basnet (name changed due to the request of the victim, who suffers from trauma after the event) from that village. He was first asked whether he had seen any Maoists running in the area, and when he replied in the negative, he was arrested. He was then kicked repeatedly on his chest and back while his hands were tied, as the security personnel asked him to provide information regarding Maoists.

After a while he heard them saying that a Maoist has been found. When Dilli was brought there, Basnet was blind-folded and forced to lie on his chest. He was then asked whether he would report this case to anyone and when he said he would not, he was handed over to his father by an inspector. He was told that if he reports this incident he will be dead.

At this time, Dilli was still tied to the tree. At about 3:00pm, the villagers heard two rounds of firing. At about 4:00pm the security force left the village, after which the villagers went to see Dilli. They found him dead, with bullet injuries on his face.

SUGGESTED ACTION:
Please send a letter to the authorities below expressing your serious concern at the extrajudicial killings and violence that continue to take place in Nepal and urge them to take decisive action to immediately address this issue.

To support this case, please click here: SEND APPEAL LETTER