Dear Friends,
The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has received information from the Terai Human Rights Defenders Alliance (THRDA) about the following local, human rights activist, Ms. Ambaya Khatun. She was born on 19 June 1975 and is a permanent resident of Gaur Municipality Ward-8 (Purenwa village). On 24 February 2018, a female Police Officer stationed at the Rautahat District Court in Nepal kicked Ms. Khatun in the stomach and chest. She was trying to assist Mrs. Salimu Nesha Khatun. She wanted to go to a particular courtroom to witness court proceedings and lawyers’ arguments relating to a case filed against the killers of her grandson.
CASE NARRATIVE:
Mrs. Salimu Nesha Khatun, a resident of Rajpur Municipality-9 (Bairiya) wanted to enter a particular courtroom. However, the unidentified female Police officer (name and designation unknown, appearing to be from a Pahadi (Hill) origin) refused to admit her. Mrs. Salimu Nesha Khatun then asked Ms. Ambaya Khatun for assistance.
While Ms. Ambaya Khatun was facilitating the entry, the female Officer initiated an argument. The female Police Officer was foul-mouthed and kicked Ms. Ambaya Khatun in the stomach and chest. She was knocked down and fell into a drainage ditch. The Officer also man-handled Mrs. Salimu Nesha Khatun and twisted her hands.
Mrs. Salimu Nesha Khatun was taken to the Gaur District Hospital and later discharged. However, Ms. Ambaya Khatun, also admitted to Gaur District Hospital was referred to the National Medical College, Birgunj. Her injury was more serious. Mr. Subas Yadav, Medical Officer of the hospital’s emergency ward said Ambaya Khatun’s situation was severe and threatening, as she suffered another injury to her lower abdomen.
Activist Ambaya Khatun had undergone uterine surgery two years previous. The present injury to her lower abdomen resulted in more grave side-effects. She was also examined by Gynecologists who have yet to submit their reports. Ambaya Khatun’s condition is grim as she has been experiencing pain and has difficulty in walking. This has left her feeling continuously dizzy and nauseous.
The AHRC urges the Police to open a prompt and thorough investigation into this case. The female Police Officer must be identified, and suspended from active duty during the extent of the investigation. If found guilty, the Officer must face stringent punishment. One wonders if human rights activists are approached in such a manner, imagine the fate of the public in such a situation. The Police should offer to cover the cost of medical expenses incurred during the victim’s treatment regime.
SUGGESTED ACTION:
Please write letters to the following Authorities, calling on them to take the necessary action against the Police Officer involved in this incident. She should be suspended immediately. A prompt and comprehensive investigation should be initiated.
The AHRC is writing a separate letter to the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders, requesting his intervention in this case.
To support this case, please click here: SEND APPEAL LETTER
SAMPLE LETTER
Dear ___________,
NEPAL: Women’s’ rights activist kicked by a Police Officer ahead of International Women’s Day
Name of victim: 43-year-old Ambaya Khatun & Mrs. Salimu Nesha Khatun
Name of alleged perpetrator: Unidentified female Police Officer stationed at the Rautahat District Court
Date of incident: 24 February 2018 to the present
Place of incident: Rautahat District Court premises, Province 2, Nepal
I am writing to voice my deep concern regarding a human rights activist, Ms. Ambaya Khatun. She was born on 19 June 1975 and is a permanent resident of Gaur Municipality Ward-8 (Purenwa village). On 24 February 2018, a female Police Officer stationed at the Rautahat District Court in Nepal kicked Ms. Khatun in the stomach and chest. She was trying to assist Mrs. Salimu Nesha Khatun. She wanted to go to a particular courtroom to witness court proceedings and lawyers’ arguments relating to a case filed against the killers of her grandson.
Mrs. Salimu Nesha Khatun, a resident of Rajpur Municipality-9 (Bairiya) wanted to enter a particular courtroom. However, the unidentified female Police officer (name and designation unknown, appearing to be from a Pahadi (Hill) origin) refused to admit her. Mrs. Salimu Nesha Khatun then asked Ms. Ambaya Khatun for assistance.
While Ms. Ambaya Khatun was facilitating the entry, the female Officer initiated an argument. The female Police Officer was foul-mouthed and kicked Ms. Ambaya Khatun in the stomach and chest. She was knocked down and fell into a drainage ditch. The Officer also man-handled Mrs. Salimu Nesha Khatun and twisted her hands.
Mrs. Salimu Nesha Khatun was taken to the Gaur District Hospital and later discharged. However, Ms. Ambaya Khatun, also admitted to Gaur District Hospital was referred to the National Medical College, Birgunj. Her injury was more serious. Mr. Subas Yadav, Medical Officer of the hospital’s emergency ward said Ambaya Khatun’s situation was severe and threatening, as she suffered another injury to her lower abdomen.
Activist Ambaya Khatun had undergone uterine surgery two years previous. The present injury to her lower abdomen resulted in more grave side-effects. She was also examined by Gynecologists who have yet to submit their reports. Ambaya Khatun’s condition is grim as she has been experiencing pain and has difficulty in walking. This has left her feeling continuously dizzy and nauseous.
I urge the Police to open a prompt and thorough investigation into this case. The female Police Officer must be identified, and suspended from active duty during the extent of the investigation. If found guilty, the Officer must face stringent punishment. One wonders if human rights activists are approached in such a manner, imagine the fate of the public in such a situation. The Police should offer to cover the cost of medical expenses incurred during the victim’s treatment regime.
I look forward to your prompt action in this matter.
Yours Sincerely,
……………….
PLEASE SEND YOUR LETTERS TO:
1. Mr. Khadga Prasad Sharma Oli
Prime Minister
Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers of Nepal
Singh Durbar, Kathmandu
P.O. Box: 23312
NEPAL
Tel: +977 1 4211000
Fax: +977 1 4211086
Email: info@opmcm.gov.np
2. Mr. Ram Bahadur Thapa ‘Badal’
Home Minister
Ministry of Home Affairs
Singh Durbar, Kathmandu
NEPAL
Fax: +977 1 421-1257, 421-1286
Email: gunaso@moha.gov.np
3. Mr. Anupraj Sharma
Chairperson
National Human Rights Commission
Pulchowk, Lalitpur
NEPAL
Fax: +977 1 55 47973
Tel: +977 1 5010015
E-mail: complaints@nhrcnepal.org or nhrc@nhrcnepal.org
4. Mr. Agni Prasad Kharel
Attorney General
Office of Attorney General
Ramshah Path, Kathmandu
NEPAL
Tel: +977 1 4240210, +977 1 4262548, +977 1 4262394
Fax: +977 1 4262582 / 4218051
Email: info@attorneygeneral.gov.np
5. Mr. Prakash Aryal
Inspector General of Police
Police Head Quarters
Naxal, Kathmandu
NEPAL
Fax: +977 1 4415593
Tel: +977 1 4412432
Email: phqigs@nepalpolice.gov.np
Thank you.
Urgent Appeals Program
Asian Human Rights Commission (ua@ahrc.asia)
