485. On 1 December 2006, the Special Representative sent an urgent appeal concerning Madan Rai Chamling, a human rights outreach worker and member of the Blue Diamond Society. Members of the Blue Diamond Society were subject of an urgent appeal sent by the Special Representative of, the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression, the Special Rapporteur on the question of torture and the Special Rapporteur on the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health on 12 August 2004. The Blue Diamond Society is a non governmental organization working with sexual minorities, lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) persons on health issues, including outreach education and prevention of HIV/AIDs, and campaigns for non-discrimination against persons based on their sexual orientation in Nepal. According to the information received, on 7 July 2006 evening, Madan Rai Chamling and other “metis” (persons who are men by birth but identify as women) working in the Tri Devi Marg area in Thamel were verbally abused by members of the Durbar Marg Police when Madan Rai Chamling questioned them as to why photos and videos were being taken of the metis. Previously that day, the Durbar Marg Police had arrived in Thamel, and proceeded to record on video a group of metis. One of the police officers, whose name is known to the Special Representative and the Special Rapporteur, gave instructions to the cameraman as to the whereabouts of the metis. The metis attempted to escape and hide their faces from the camera but they were reportedly forced to show their faces. The police threatened to arrest and detain the metis if they didn’t cooperate. Furthermore, it is alleged that the police falsely told the metis that they were sent by the Director of Blue Diamond Society in an attempt to film them. Concern was expressed that the above acts of verbal abuse against Madan Rai Chamling may have been related to her human rights activities, specifically her outreach work with Blue Diamond Society. In addition, concern was expressed that the events represent a sustained campaign by police to harass, intimidate and humiliate metis in Nepal, including by sexual violence.

link to full text of the Report:
http://www2.ohchr.org/english/bodies/hrcouncil/docs/4session/A-HRC-4-37-Add-1.pdf