UN Urges Nepal To Implement Justice For War-time Violations

The UN has expressed concerns over Nepal’s failure to address human rights violations committed during the country's?10-year civil war.

The world body's? report on violations during the 1996 to 2006 conflict said as many as 17,000 persons were killed and 1,300
were missing.

It said the government did not meet pledges to ensure justice.

“Perpetrators of serious violations on both sides have not been held accountable, and in some cases have been promoted, and
may now even be offered an amnesty,’’ the report said.

“The granting of amnesties for certain crimes, particularly genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes, contravenes principles under international law,’’ the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay, said.

“Not only do amnesties contravene international human rights law by upholding impunity, they also weaken the foundation
for a genuine and lasting peace.’’

Last week, the government promoted Col. Raju Basnet to the rank of brigadier general, in spite of? accusations that he was responsible for the torture and disappearance of suspected Maoists in 2003. (dpa/NAN)