Dear friends,
The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has learned of further human rights violations, notably beatings and arbitrary detentions, in relation to the ongoing suppression of the democratic movement in Nepal. In order to quell rallies planned for 20 January 2006, the authorities last week enforced curfews and a total ban on demonstrations, particularly in Kathmandu. Hundreds of persons were arrested during the repression of demonstrations last week and weekend. The AHRC has released statements and an urgent appeal denouncing these events (please see AS-006-2006; AS-008-2006; AS-009-2006; AS-010-2006; and UG-002-2006). It notes with particular concern that human rights defenders are amongst the key targets in the authorities current crack-down.
In light of this, please send a letter to the relevant authorities listed below seeking their urgent intervention in this worsening crisis. Please call for the King to immediately release all persons arrested and detained over their alleged involvement in recent demonstrations. Future demonstrations must be allowed to proceed unhindered and the demands of the demonstrators heeded. The current draconian measures being taken in Nepal must be abolished. Without such measures taken, the political, security and human rights crisis currently crippling Nepal, will only further worsen.
Urgent Appeals Programme
Asian Human Rights Commission
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DETAILED INFORMATION:
On 23 January 2006 at around 11 a.m. a group of about 40-50 students marched around the market of Mahendranagar chanting slogans demanding the restoration of democracy and also demanding the immediate release of Khem Bhandari, the editor of the Abhiyan Daily newspaper of Kanchanpur, who was arrested on January 21. The students were reportedly dispersed at Bus Park by a team of eight to nine policemen, under the supervision of the police inspector of the Ward Police station in Mahendranagar. However, one Siddhanath Multiple Campus student, Bamdev Joshi, and a civilian bystander, Ved Prakash Joshi, were reportedly charged with baton-wielding police personnel, loaded into a police van, and taken to the District Police Office in Kanchanpur.
The ban on demonstrations was lifted in many parts of Kathmandu on January 23. However, Ratna Park remains prohibited and has been the scene of continuing demonstrations. The AHRC continues to receive reports of the violent repression of these demonstrations held by the seven-party political opposition alliance.
Reports indicate that on January 24, peaceful demonstrators that attempted to enter the prohibited zone were met with police baton charges, with many pro-democracy activists having been physically assaulted and injured. Beatings took place even after the police had secured the area. Dozens of demonstrators have reportedly been arrested. There were no female police personnel deployed to control and arrest female demonstrators these arrests were conducted by male police personnel. Journalists have also reportedly been injured during the police action. Chandra Bishta, a camera person of Channel Nepal Television was seriously injured during these events. Bystanders have also reportedly been attacked and abused.
Separately, students of the Amrit Science College had been protesting at their campus on January 24. They reportedly clashed with police, throwing stones, which was met with a baton charge and tear-gas. The police reportedly chased the students and beat all of them, including those seeking refuge in classrooms and the student union office.
Furthermore, seven political leaders in Banke were arrested between 8:30 and 9am on January 24 at Bageswori Street, Nepalgunj municipality-3, while participating in door-to-door canvassing for people to reject the upcoming municipal elections. They are named as follows: Dev Raj Bhar (Communist Party Nepal United Marxist and Leninist (CPNUML), district secretary of Banke); Gajendra Hamal (Nepali Congress democratic, district chairman of Banke); Dr. Arun Koirala (Nepali Congress); Tek Narayan Bhusal (Nepal Student Union); Umendra Kuwar (Nepali Congress Trade Union NCTU); Akbar Kha (NCTU); Sabir Ali (NCTU).They are being detained at the Banke district police office.
Meanwhile, four central members of the Nepal Students’ Union – Prabhu Nath, Rama Kanta Shah, Basu Kandel and Hari Singh Thakur that are being detained at the Kalimati police Station, have reportedly begun an indefinite hunger strike since the morning of January 24 to protest against the illegal detention of political party leaders and activists.
Please find below a list of the persons arrested and/or injured during demonstrations at the New Road on January 24.
The identities of some identified arrested persons:
1. Ubaraj Gyanwali
2. Dilli Prasad Sitaula
3. Ganesh Poshrel
4. Basu Koirala
5. Jagadish Bam
6. Prabin Shrestha
7. Diwakar Budhathoki
8. Yam Thapa
9. Parbati Shaha
10. Dina Upadhyaya
11. Prakash Giri
12. Birendra Saud
13. Bhakta Kumar Rana
14. Khiman Singha Rayamajhi
15. Bishwa Pratap Sharma
16. Prem Bishtha
17. Kamala Thapa
18. Ranjit Karna
19. Gobinda Puda Saini
20. Jaga Nath Dhimal
21. Takendra Limbu
22. Dipendra Simkhada
23. Bina Thapa
The identities of some identified injured persons:
1. Gopal Subedi
2. Om Prakash Pangeni
3. Shyam Raj Khatri
4. Shyam Rana
5. Gopal Acharya
In addition, the AHRC has been informed that large-scale demonstrations have been taking place in Birendranagar, Surkhet, involving around four to five thousand participants on January 25. Around 500 police and 500 armed police personnel were present at the site. Five political activists and a student leader have reportedly been arrested in conjunction with this demonstration, which remained peaceful at the time of writing.
Reports indicate that three journalists and a member of human rights NGO INSEC were arrested by the police at around 2.30 pm on January 25, while monitoring a demonstration organised by the seven-party political alliance in Dailekh. The detainees have been identified as follows: three district committee members of the Federation of Nepalese Journalists (FNJ) – Sita Ram Jaisi, Janak Neupane and Chandra B.C, as well as INSECs Dailekh office member Naman Kumar Shahi. Their location remains unknown at this time.
To support this case, please click here: SEND APPEAL LETTER
SAMPLE LETTER
Dear _____________,
NEPAL: Further arrests in Nepals worsening political, security and human rights crisis
I write to voice my dismay upon hearing of further arrests having taken place in Nepal.
According to the information I have received, on 23 January 2006, 40-50 students marched around the market of Mahendranagar chanting slogans demanding the restoration of democracy and also demanding the immediate release of Khem Bhandari, the editor of the Abhiyan Daily newspaper of Kanchanpur, who was arrested on January 21. The students were reportedly dispersed at Bus Park by a team of eight to nine policemen, under the supervision of the police inspector of the Ward Police station in Mahendranagar. However, one Siddhanath Multiple Campus student, Bamdev Joshi, and a civilian bystander, Ved Prakash Joshi, were reportedly charged with baton-wielding police personnel, loaded into a police van, and taken to the District Police Office in Kanchanpur.
The ban on demonstrations was lifted in many parts of Kathmandu on January 23. However, Ratna Park remains prohibited and has been the scene of continuing demonstrations.
Reports also indicate that on January 24, peaceful demonstrators that attempted to enter the prohibited zone were met with police baton charges, with many pro-democracy activists having been physically assaulted and injured. Beatings took place even after the police had secured the area. Dozens of demonstrators were reportedly arrested. There were no female police personnel deployed to control and arrest female demonstrators these arrests were conducted by male police personnel. Journalists were also reportedly injured during the police action. Chandra Bishta, a camera person of Channel Nepal Television was seriously injured during these events. Bystanders were also reportedly attacked and abused.
Separately, students of the Amrit Science College were protesting at their campus on January 24. They reportedly clashed with police, throwing stones, which was met with a baton charge and tear-gas. The police reportedly chased the students and beat all of them, including those seeking refuge in classrooms and the student union office.
Furthermore, seven political leaders in Banke were arrested between 8:30 and 9am on January 24 at Bageswori Street, Nepalgunj municipality-3, while participating in door-to-door canvassing for people to reject the upcoming municipal elections. They are named as follows: Dev Raj Bhar (Communist Party Nepal United Marxist and Leninist (CPNUML), district secretary of Banke); Gajendra Hamal (Nepali Congress democratic, district chairman of Banke); Dr. Arun Koirala (Nepali Congress); Tek Narayan Bhusal (Nepal Student Union); Umendra Kuwar (Nepali Congress Trade Union NCTU); Akbar Kha (NCTU); Sabir Ali (NCTU).They are being detained at the Banke district police office.
Meanwhile, four central members of the Nepal Students' Union - Prabhu Nath, Rama Kanta Shah, Basu Kandel and Hari Singh Thakur that are being detained at the Kalimati police Station, have reportedly begun an indefinite hunger strike since the morning of January 24 to protest against the illegal detention of political party leaders and activists.
In addition, I have been informed that large-scale demonstrations have been taking place in Birendranagar, Surkhet, involving around four to five thousand participants on January 25. Around 500 police and 500 armed police personnel were present at the site. Five political activists and a student leader have reportedly been arrested in conjunction with this demonstration, despite the demonstration remaining peaceful.
Reports indicate that three journalists and a member of human rights NGO INSEC were arrested by the police at around 2.30 pm on January 25, while monitoring a demonstration organised by the seven-party political alliance in Dailekh. The detainees have been identified as follows: three district committee members of the Federation of Nepalese Journalists (FNJ) - Sita Ram Jaisi, Janak Neupane and Chandra B.C, as well as INSECs Dailekh office member Naman Kumar Shahi. Their location remains unknown at this time.
Evident from these arrests and the repression of all demonstrations occurring in Nepal, is the worsening political, security and human rights situation in the country right now. Before this situation spirals even further out of control, I call for the King to immediately release all persons arrested and detained over their alleged involvement in recent demonstrations. Future demonstrations must be allowed to proceed unhindered and the demands of the demonstrators heeded. The current draconian measures being taken in Nepal must be abolished.
Yours sincerely,
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PLEASE SEND LETTERS TO:
1. His Majesty King Gyanendra
Narayanhity Royal Palace
Durbar Marg
Kathmandu
NEPAL
Tel: 977 14 413577/227577
Fax: 977 14 227395/ 411955
2. Colonel Pankaj Karki
Officer of Royal Nepal Army Human Rights Cell
Human Rights Cell
Singha Durbar
Kathmandu
NEPAL
Telefax: + 977 14 245 020/226 292
3. Laxmi Bahadur Nirala
Attorney General
Office of the Attorney General
Ramshahpath, Kathmandu
NEPAL
Tel: +977 14 262548 (direct line)/262394 (through Personal Assistant)
Fax: +977 14 262582
Email: fpattorney@most.gov.np
4. Mr. Nain Bahadur Khatri
Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission
Pulchowck, Lalitpur
NEPAL
Tel: +977 1 5 547 974 or 525 659 or 547 975
Fax: +9771 5 547 973
Email: nhrc@ntc.net.np
5. Mr. Ian Martin
Chief of Mission
Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights- Nepal Office
UN House, Pulchowk
Kathmandu
NEPAL
Tel: (977) 1 5524 366 or 5523 200
Fax: (977) 1 5523 991 or 5523 986
Email: hrinfounit@undp.org
6. Prof. Manfred Nowak
Special Rapporteur on the question of torture
Attn: Mr. Safir Syed
OHCHR-UNOG
1211 Geneva 10
SWITZERLAND
Tel: +41 22 917 9230
Fax: +41 22 917 9016 (general)
E-mail: ssyed@ohchr.org
7. Ms Leila Zerrougui
Chairperson
Working Group on Arbitrary Detention
c/o Miguel de la Lama
OHCHR-UNOG
1211 Geneva 10
SWITZERLAND
Fax: +41 22 917 9006 (ATTENTION: Working Group on Arbitrary Detention)
Email: mdelalama@ohchr.org
8. Ms. Hina Jilani
Special Representative of the Secretary General for human rights defenders
Att: Ben Majekodunmi
Room 1-040, c/o OHCHR-UNOG
1211 Geneva 10
SWITZERLAND
Tel: +41 22 917 93 88
Fax: +41 22 917 9006
E-mail: bmajekodunmi@ohchr.orgail: sechome@wb.gov.in
Thank you.
Urgent Appeals Programme
Asian Human Rights Commission
