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In-Depth:
Between Two Stones - Nepal’s decade of conflict
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NEPAL: Interview with human rights activist, Subodh Pyakhurel
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The human rights situation in Nepal has been a matter of serious concern for most of the last nine years of conflict between Maoists rebels and the state. Rights groups have been particularly vocal since the breakdown of peace talks and the deployment of the Royal Nepalese Army (RNA) in November 2001.
Nearly 12,000 people are estimated to have been killed in the conflict since 1996. Rights groups say a large number of the victims were civilians suspected of supporting or working with the rebels. Many have disappeared after they were arrested or detained at army barracks and police stations. Maoists have also been involved in deliberate killings of civilians considered to be enemies of their "people’s war".
IRIN spoke to prominent human rights activist Subodh Pyakhurel whose organisation, the Informal Sector Service Centre (INSEC), has been documenting human rights abuses ever since the rebellion began.
QUESTION: Is there a human rights crisis in the country today as reports suggest?
ANSWER: In terms of killings, torture, abduction, forced displacement, defiance of court orders and decrees to curb the media and NGOs, yes, the human rights situation is deteriorating.
Q: Are the Maoists and the RNA heeding calls from international and national human rights bodies to respect human rights laws?
A: There have been some recent improvements. The Maoists declared a unilateral ceasefire on 3 September 2005. According to our documentation, killings per day have gone down after the unilateral ceasefire. Having said that, abductions, extortion and other atrocities by Maoists, including some killings, prove that things are still far from normal in Nepal. Now, the number of state killings is about six times higher then the number of killing by Maoists. The state is deliberately engaged in violating rights. None of the officials in the current government has shown any inclination to stop these abuses. We had anticipated that the ceasefire would create a better environment for human rights but in vain.
Q: Both RNA and Maoist leaders seem to be laying all the blame for continued human rights abuses on low-ranking cadres or soldiers. Have you any information on that?
A: Till now we have not received any specific information. Rather both army and Maoists have been promising, as usual, that they will monitor the abuses and take necessary action. Cases of re-arrest and defiance of court orders by the security force, as well as abduction, torture and intolerant behaviour by the Maoists towards political party workers, prove the nature and intention of both conflicting parties remains broadly unchanged.
Q: How has the human rights crisis affected humanitarian and development work in Nepal?
A: The human rights crisis acts as an obstruction to all basic freedoms of the people, and leads to an unpredictable situation. Many NGO and donor programmes are on hold or have been scaled down due to lack of security. Even transportation and communications have been affected. So, this has caused all sorts of difficulties, particularly to humanitarian assistance.
Q: Are aid workers and health personnel at risk of human rights abuse?
A: Aid workers are at risk due to the attitude of the conflicting parties. They want to guide and govern all activities. This often compromises the impartial stand of aid workers.
Q: The RNA denies use of torture and has condemned the report by the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture, Manfred Nowak. What’s your view on that?
A: Sadly, the RNA continues to deny responsibility for abuses that have been extensively documented. Actually the situation of torture is much worse than reported. There are many sufferers who are unable or unwilling to report to the competent authority. Why report to the state when they control the army who abused you?
Q: How do the state and rebels react to groups like yours, working to improve human rights?
A: Both want to portray a positive image and they tend to conceal the atrocities they indulge in. They are not happy with the lobbying, advocacy and dissemination of information conducted by Insec and other such groups.
Q: Are you worried that the human rights situation will deteriorate?
A: The state is not in the least concerned about improving the human rights situation. This is substantiated by the introduction of decrees to curb the freedom of civil society and the media. The danger is that the Maoists may not extend their ceasefire if the state does not reciprocate, then we’ll be back where we were before September, or it could get worse. The rift and distance between political parties and the king is increasing. The UN and peace organisations are not able to intervene effectively in the conflict. The king continues with stringent action against all democratic forces. The judiciary is not proactive in protecting citizen’s fundamental rights. These factors indicate the worst is yet to come as far as human rights is concerned.
[ENDS]
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