Dec 10, 2009 | News
The ICJ today urged the Government of Nepal to demonstrate its commitment to end impunity by arresting Major Niranjan Basnet upon his return from a UN peacekeeping mission in Chad.
Major Basnet is one of four Nepal Army officials accused in the enforced disappearance, torture and killing of Maina Sunuwar on 17 February 2004. Maina Sunuwar’s body was exhumed in March 2007 from its clandestine burial site at the Nepal Army Birendra Peace Operations Training Centre in Panchkhal.
Nepal-army officer-press release-2010-eng (full text, pdf)
Nepal-army officer-press release-2010-nep (full text, pdf)
Aug 20, 2009 | News
The ICJ has released a letter urging the Government of Nepal to strengthen the proposed Bill on Crime and Punishment of Disappearances to bring it into line with International Human Rights standards.
Nepal-ICJ call for amendments to bill on disappearences-Press Release-2009 (full text, PDF)
Nepal-Recommendation Letter to Peace Minister-Open letters-2009 (full text, PDF)
Jun 2, 2009 | News
The ICJ is concerned by the government’s failure to enact legislation that would criminalize the practice of enforced disappearances, investigate past cases, prosecute the perpetrators and provide reparation to victims.
Nepal-After Two Years, Government Still in Non-Compliance-Press releases-2009 (full text, PDF)
Jan 30, 2009 | News
The ICJ urges the Government of Nepal to ensure that legislation on Disappearances and Truth and Reconciliation are adopted through regular democratic process and not by executive ordinance.
The ICJ also reiterated that adoption of such legislation should follow broad based national consultation and should fulfil Nepal’s human rights obligations.
Nepal-Government should allow parliament to debate-Press releases-2009 (full text, PDF)
Nov 25, 2008 | News
The ICJ is urging the Constituent Assembly to adopt a series of amendments to ensure compliance of the Bill on Disappearances Act with human rights obligations.
The proposed Disappearances Bill would criminalize the act of enforced disappearance, establish a commission to investigate past cases from 1996-2006, and provide for prosecution of perpetrators and reparations for victims. However, these laudable steps could be undermined in practice by weaknesses in certain provisions.
Nepal-The ICJ urges human rights amendments-Press releases-2008 (full text, PDF)
Nepal-ICJ letter to speaker-Open letters-2008-Eng (full text, PDF)
Nepal-ICJ letter to speaker-Open letters-2008-Nep (full text, PDF)