President Dr. Ram Baran Yadav has emphasized on the need for a coordinated effort in order to put an end to impunity in the country.
He made this remark at a meeting with a delegation of Amnesty International (AI) Nepal at his office at Sheetal Niwas on 12 March.
A delegation led by AI Nepal’s Chairperson Hem Kumar Khadka called on the President to express the organizations’ concerns over the rising impunity in Nepal. The organization expressed its concerns over the reluctance of the government towards bringing perpetrators of human rights violation and abuses to justice.
During the meeting President Yadav said, “There is an immediate need for the country to end impunity. This need is not only to ensure justice but also to improve our image into international arena as the culture of impunity has left with the negative image of the country internationally”. He further added “Like the very vibrant role played by the civil society in the People’s Movement, the time has come for organizations like Amnesty International to put together another coordinated effort to end impunity in the country”. Highlighting the importance of human rights campaign, he said, “I realized the importance of campaigns run by human rights organizations like Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch while I was held in detention”. He also appreciated the role played by AI and AI Nepal to improve the situation of human rights situation in Nepal.
Talking with members of the delegation, he said “It is not appropriate to define human rights differently depending on the economic growth of any particular country. Fundamental rights including right to life are universally the same; whether in the poor or in the rich countries”.
The delegation also submitted a memorandum highlighting some key issues related to human rights. The memorandum has highlighted on the need of a Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) with no provisions of amnesties for cases of violation of international human rights and humanitarian laws, including extrajudicial killings, tortures, abductions, disappearances and rapes. It may be noted that the proposed TRC Bill of Nepal, under Article 25 (1), includes provisions of amnesty for those who have committed crime under international laws.
Secondly, the memorandum has stressed that the whereabouts of those disappeared by the government security forces and the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) should be made public immediately. More than two years have already passed ahead of the timeline set by both the parties in the Comprehensive Peace Agreement signed in November 2006.
The third concern raised by the organization was the delay in ratification of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, despite directives of the Parliament made some 2 and half year ago.
The memorandum has also raised serious concern about the protection of women human rights defenders.
The delegation comprised National Executive Committee Members along with Advisors, past Chairpersons and Staff Members of the organization.
Meanwhile, on the 14th of March a delegation met the Chairperson of the Constituent Assembly Mr. Subash Chandra Nemwang to put forward official concern and some recommendations over the culture of impunity in Nepal. The delegation submitted a memorandum highlighting the same 4 issues which was highlighted in the memorandum that submitted to the President on the 13th of March 2009.
Mr. Nemwang, accepting the memorandum, expressed his commitment and support towards fighting against impunity. He also suggested AI Nepal to put pressure to the government to get Truth and Reconciliation Commission with no provision of amnesties as well as Commission on Disappearance formed. He expressed his commitment that he will always draw the attention of the government regularly to bring the proposal to ratify the Statute of the International Criminal Court.