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Nepal’s secretive human rights ordinance disturbs UN
The United Nations has expressed deep regret at an ordinance passed by Nepal President Ram Baran Yadav that could grant amnesty for serious human rights violations.
The United Nations has expressed deep regret at an ordinance passed by Nepal President Ram Baran Yadav that could grant amnesty for serious human rights violations.
The ordinance on setting up a Truth and Reconciliation Commission to handle cases of human rights violations during the 1996-2006 civil war was passed last week following a deal between political parties.
In a statement issued on Wednesday the UN high commissioner for human rights Navi Pillay urged the government to rectify the provisions which would breach international laws.
“Such amnesties would not only violate core principles under international law but would also weaken the foundation for a genuine and lasting peace in Nepal,” she said.
Nearly 13,000 people were killed and over a thousand went missing during the civil war. Though the 2006 peace deal guaranteed setting up of a commission to deal with those cases, it is yet to be constituted.
Pillay stated if amnesties are provided to perpetrators of serious human rights violations (committed by Maoists and security forces) it would deny thousands of Nepalis their rights to truth and justice.
“I am particularly disturbed that the text of the ordinance was developed and passed in such a secretive manner, without consultations with civil society, victims, families of the victims or even the national human rights institutions,” she said.
Last year Pillay had released a Nepal Conflict Report that documented and analysed around 9,000 serious violations of international law that occurred during the civil war.
