Rights situation in Nepal worsened markedly in 2005: HRW

Kathmandu Jan 19- A leading international human rights agency has said human rights situation in Nepal got worse in 2005 with the security forces and the Maoist insurgents engaging in murder, torture, abductions arbitrary detentions.

Human Rights Watch (HRW), a US-based rights group, said in its report publicised on Wednesday, “Extra-judicial killings, illegal detention and disappearances continue to be instigated by the Royal Nepalese Army (RNA), while the Maoists continue to engage in extortion, murder, forced displacement of civilians and abductions.”

“While these abuses existed before the [royal] coup, the ability of human rights defenders and the media to document abuses is now more difficult.”

"Approximately three thousand political, human rights, and student activists were detained for months after the coup. The crackdown forced many human rights defenders to leave the country and others to curtail their work. After months of internal bickering, the political parties in September 2005 organized a series of protests against the king’s usurpation of power. However, a renewed clampdown on the press towards the end of 2005 demoralized the political opposition and the otherwise vibrant and defiant media." HRW reports

It added, “Despite the king's promise to resolve the civil war, the conflict continued with the same brutal intensity until September 2005 when the Maoists declared a unilateral ceasefire." The government and the RNA have consistently restricted the work of the judiciary and the National Human Rights Commission despite cosmetic steps designed to give a contrary impression, according to the report.

"The king's refusal to cede any authority to political parties has polarised the parties and reduced any chance of dialogue."

The human rights group also said that civilians in Nepal continue to be caught in the middle of the violent conflict and “assisting or refusing to assist either side put villagers at risk of reprisals by the army or Maoists”.

“Some cases of army abuse had been prosecuted, but torture and ill-treatment is systematically practiced in Nepal by the police, armed police and the RNA,” it said.

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