Human rights group urges action over Nepal conflict

Amnesty International’s secretary general urged donor nations to suspend military aid to Nepal today, following the king’s declaration of a state of emergency in the Himalayan nation.

“The long-standing conflict between the Maoists and the armed forces has destroyed human rights in the countryside.

"Now, the state of emergency is destroying human rights in the urban areas, taking the country to the brink of disaster,” said Irene Khan, releasing the findings of a recent mission to Nepal by the human rights group.

She said the state of emergency had “strengthened the hands of the security forces … and increased the likelihood of an escalation of the conflict that could lead to even greater human suffering and abuse”.

Political leaders, students, human rights activists, journalists and trade unionists remain in detention more than two weeks after King Gyanendra dismissed the government, declared a sweeping state of emergency and suspended civil liberties.

He said the measures were needed to combat the Maoist communist insurgency, which has claimed more than 10,500 lives since 1996, and to bring political stability to the country.

“While some leaders have been released, more are being arrested, particularly at the district level.

"There is strict media censorship enforced by the army and there is total clampdown on political dissent,” Khan said.

”Wherever we went, we encountered a deep sense of fear, uncertainty and insecurity among the people.”

Khan said she met Gyanendra during her visit to Nepal, and conveyed the organisation’s concerns about the deteriorating human rights situation caused by the insurgency and the state of emergency.

She said the king assured her of his commitment to uphold human life and Nepal’s international obligations.

“The king will be judged not by his promises, but by how these promises are put into action by his government,” she said.

The rights group, which urged the Maoists to respect international human rights laws and stop targeting civilians, also called on the international community to suspend military aid to the Nepalese government to pressure it to change its policies toward human rights.

The new government has come under increasing pressure to restore democracy in recent days.

India, the United States, Britain, and other European countries have already recalled their ambassadors.

Recent reports by Amnesty International show a dramatic increase in human rights abuses since a ceasefire with the Maoists broke down in August 2003, including torture, detention, disappearances, abductions and unlawful killings.