UPDATE (Nepal): Further arrests occur in Nepal’s escalating crisis 

[RE:UA-036-2006: NEPAL: Further arrests in Nepal’s worsening political, security and human rights crisis; UG-002-2006: NEPAL: Immediate intervention required in Nepal’s deepening political, security and human rights crisis]
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UP-011-2006: NEPAL: Further arrests occur in Nepal’s escalating crisis

NEPAL: Human rights defenders; Democracy; Freedom of assembly; Freedom of speech; Free and fair elections; Arbitrary arrest and detention; Torture; Rule of Law
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Dear friends,

The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) writes to inform you that further arrests have occurred in Nepal’s escalating crisis. 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; UG-002-2006 and UA-036-2006). It notes with particular concern that human rights defenders are amongst the key targets in the authorities current crack-down.

In events that occurred today (January 26), security forces opened fire in Pokhara (full details not yet available). In other demonstrations several rounds of tear gas were fired to disperse the protestors as the police charged them with batons. The offices of human rights organisations have also been raided.

In Banke, the police assaulted Pradeep Baisha with the butt of a gun after taking him in to their custody. In the same town, at least nine leaders were arrested in front of the district administration office. Amongst those arrested were:
1. Pradeep Baisha, member of Tarun Dal Banke Committee
2. Narayan Prasad Gaudel of NC, regional representative of region no. 1, Banke
3. Khim Prasad Dahal of NC, regional representative of Kohalpur, Banke
4. Lok Bahadur Singh of NC
5. Sabir Ali Jasgad, member of Trade Union of Congress (he was later released considering his illness)

Similarly, at least 13 members of Janamorcha Nepal were also arrested from the party’s office at B. P. Chowk of Nepalgunj at 1pm. They were taken by the police in their vehicle, and their place of detention is not yet known.
Their names are:
1. Bed Prasad Acharya, central committee member
2. OM Kala Kafle, president of district women’s committee
3. Shiva Raj Sharma
4. Chuman Singh K.C.
5. Birendra Khadka, Student Union of Janamorcha Nepalganj
6. Raj Kumar Verma
7. Sushil Thapa
8. Dip Raj Verma
9. Bod Raj Pasi
10. Thapa Pasi
11. Pawan Kumar Mishra
12. Awadesh Kumar Pandey
13. Hanuman Pasi

Meanwhile, at least 10 to 12 members of the CPNUML were arrested from the Pasang Lamhu Marg of Nepalgunj as they were marching through the street displaying signs saying to defy the February 8 elections. Amongst those members were:
1. Baburam Gautam
2. Padam Dhital
3. Gopal Thapa
4. Karna Bahadur Khatri
5. Lal Bahadur Shahi
6. Karna Bahadur Khatri
7. Tapendra Shahi
9. Girendra Bogati
10. Chandra Bahadur Chaudhari

In the early hours of this morning, the police also arrested several political party activists and others in Sankhuwava district. At least eight leaders were taken into custody.
They were:
1. Rajendra Gautam uml zonal secretary
2. Tulasi Gautam
3. Dedraj Khadka
4. Dambar Khadka
5. Netra Gautam
6. Gopalraj Pahadi
7. Bina Poudyal
8. Kumarbabu Tiwari

In Kanchanpur two leaders of CPNUML, Bachan Bahadur Singh and Bishnu Mishra, were also arrested by the police in the morning while they were walking along the street.

Yesterday, January 25, CPNUML member, Dhanapati Gadtaula was arrested from Itahari bazaar while demonstrating. During the demonstration the police tortured many protestors, including Om Koirala from CPNUML. Those detained were taken to the Area Police Station.

In Biratnagar, at about 5.45pm, at least 39 people representing different parties were arrested by the police.
They were:
1. Abijit Datta
2. Amod Kuikel Sharma – CPNUML
3. Bal Kumar Mudel – Janamorcha
4. Daman Singh Karki – CPNUML
5. Damodar Tiwari – CPNUML
6. Deepak Chapagain – NC
7. Deepak Koirala
8. Hari Basnet
9. Hari Pokharel
10. Kavi Timsina – ANNFSU-UML
11. Krishna Karki – CPN UML
12. Kushal Karki
13. Lochan Bhattarai
14. Madan Bhujel
15. Mahesh Regmi – CPNUML
16. Manish Dhakal – ANNFSU –UML
17. Mrityujanya Kumar
18. Mukund Bhattarai
19. Nabin Poudel – CPNUML
20. Narayan Krishna Shrestha – CPNUML
21. Nima Basnet – Do
22. Parul Chetri – ANNFSU_UML
23. Peshal Luitel
24. Prabha Acharya
25. Pramesh Pokhrel
26. Punya Regmi – CPNUML
27. Rabi Shankar Jha
28. Rajendra Karki
29. Rajesh Pudasaini – NC
30. Ram Kumar Khatri
31. Ram Lal Shah –CPNUML
32. Rishi kesh Pokharel – Do
33. Rohit
34. Santanu Kumar Regmi
35. Sanu Thapa – NC
36. Shila Shrestha – NC
37. Sunil Khatiwada
38. Yogendra Dangal
39. Sher Bahadur KC – NC (Vice President, Nepal Bar Association-Nepal)

Urgent Appeals Programme
Asian Human Rights Commission
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SUGGESTED ACTION:
Please send a letter to the relevant authorities listed below voicing your concern for the current situation in Nepal.

 

 

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