Nepal police rejected to register FIRs concerning serious human rights violations on human rights day

Nepal police rejected to register FIRs concerning serious human rights violations on human rights day

 

L & G

KATHMANDU, DEC. 10

 

Nepal’s police administration in different districts rejected to register over two dozen FIRs filed by victims of serious human rights violations, said Advocacy Forum, a Kathmandu-based rights watchdog.

 

Aided by the Forum, the families of 30 victims of serious human rights violations had urged Nepali authorities on Human Rights Day (Dec 10) to pursue investigations in relation to 28 cases of human rights violations committed in 12 districts. “The refusal shows how senior officials are in fact condoning human rights violations, promoting impunity and denying justice to the victims,” said AF Director Mandira Sharma.

 

AF provided legal assistance to file First Information Report (FIRs) demanding criminal investigations. The victims' families asked the authorities to promptly investigate cases of extra judicial executions, enforced disappearances and attempt to murder and called on them to take legal action against the perpetrators. They stated that they have visited Nepalese authorities time and again after the incident. However, the authorities provided no justice.

 

While Nepali high officials state that they are committed to upholding human rights, not a single FIR presented by victims’ families with the legal assistance of Advocacy Forum is registered today stating that they would consult 'senior officials' first.

 

“Such a refusal by those entrusted with defending human rights in their daily work shows how senior officials are in fact condoning human rights violations,” said Mandira Sharma, Director of Advocacy Forum. “Despite the commitments made by previous governments time and again, all of them have failed to provide justice to the victims of human rights violations.”

 

State cases Act of Nepal requires police to register FIR immediately if officials receive petitions like this either oral or written.

 

AF has previously assisted to file FIRs in a total of 66 cases (61 against security officials and 5 against UCPN – Maoists). However, to date not a single perpetrator has been brought to justice before a civilian court. AF, stands with the victims and their families and demands that the investigation in the FIRs are carried outwithout any delay and that perpetrators are brought to justice.