Fact File
Nepal: Human rights
Black hole after the royal coup
On the first anniversary of the infamous royal coup in Nepal, the Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) notes with concern that the King continues to sacrifice the rights of the people of Nepal while claiming that during the past 12 months the country had been on the right track. On the contrary, the human rights situation in the country over the last year has been disastrous. The fundamental collapse of state institutions has led to a black hole of human rights in Nepal. In a speech made on February 1st, 2006, King Gyanendra made a series of claims that show a complete disconnect from the reality on the ground. In particular he stated that the municipal elections that were set to take place on February 8, 2006 would still go ahead and that they were going to be free and fair elections. Several election candidates have already resigned and most others have taken up residence in military camps for protection. The King imposed curfews and banned all demonstrations during this period. It is impossible for the upcoming elections to be conducted in a free or fair way under such circumstances. It is clear that the King is attempting to dupe the international community into thinking that he is committed to democracy by holding these sham elections, in which pro-monarchist candidates would be elected in a fraudulent manner. On the first anniversary of the royal coup, over 200 persons have already been arrested, small gatherings of people have been forcefully dispersed and an all-day curfew has been imposed in many towns around the country. Many hundreds more protestors have been arrested since the latest round of demonstrations began in mid-January. This evidently contradicts the claims being made by the King.
" The AHRC has receive reports that on the previous day, January 31, 2006, over 20 security personnel were killed and some 200 were missing following a concerted series of attacks by the Maoists. The King launched the royal coup one year ago under the pretext of being able to more effectively tackle the Maoist insurgency. One year on, however, the insurgents have gained strength. They have also had discussions with the alliance of seven opposition political parties, and have pledged to back the democratic process in order to end the conflict in the country. The Maoist insurgents also held a unilateral ceasefire in late 2005 and offered to have their forces placed under international supervision. If the King had been interested, in reality, in solving the conflict with the insurgents, he should have reciprocated this cease-fire and entered into talks. Instead, the cease-fire was allowed to run out and when the Maoist attacks resumed, the King used this as a pretext to crack down on the pro-democracy movement.
During the course of the year since February 1, 2005, state institutions, such as the judiciary, the National Human Rights Commission and others, have been infiltrated by pro-royalist, unqualified persons in order to undermine the functioning and independence of these bodies, greatly weakening them. Furthermore, the King has also appointed pro-royalist regional and zonal administrators, sidelining those persons best suited and qualified for the jobs, further exacerbating the collapse of the rule of law and institutions within the country.
Throughout the year, the human rights of the people of Nepal have been wantonly sacrificed. Torture remains systematic, forced disappearances remain at extremely high levels, mass arbitrary arrests continue in response to legitimate peaceful demonstrations, political leaders and human rights defenders are being targeted. The multitude of recommendations made by various international bodies, notably the United Nations, need to be implemented. For example, the authorities should immediately set up a register of all persons being detained in Nepal, with the database made accessible to the public. The empty rhetoric must end and credible positive action must be taken, in order to avoid the further collapse of the state and increased violations of the human rights of the Nepali people.
Source: Asian Human Rights Commission.
