CASE NPL 180396

The International Secretariat of OMCT/SOS-Torture requests your urgent intervention in the following situation in Nepal.

Brief description of the situation: The International Secretariat is gravely concerned for the security and integrity of numerous human rights defenders, according to reliable information received from various sources of information - as yet not members of the network.

On 17 March 1996, 3 members of Amnesty International - Nepal - Badri Khanal, Mani Ram Neupane and Prahlad Basnet - were arrested while trying to organise a signature campaign against human rights violations in China. They were charged with "anti-Chinese activities". Bhola Bhattarai, another member of Amnesty International-Nepal was arrested this morning (18 March 1996) while bringing food to his fellow activists. According to the information, they are all detained at Hanumandhokaa Police Station and have been able to receive visits.

Amnesty International-Nepal organised a march at 2 a.m. today to protest against human rights violations in China. The demonstrators were stopped on their way to the Chinese Embassy and 100 persons were supposedly arrested. Among those were several Nepalese Amnesty International leaders - Krishna Kandel (Director AI-Nepal), Anil Panta (Deputy Director), Charan Prasain (Chairperson), Krishna Pahadi (former President of AI-Nepal), Raju Sarkar (central member), Lokesh Dakhal (former central member) and Niranjan Niroula - as well as INSEC General Secretary, Dr. Rajesh Gautam. All these people have allegedly been denied visits. In spite of these actions, Amnesty International Nepal is planning to hold another signature campaign.

Action requested: Please write to the Nepalese authorities urging them to:

i. guarantee the physical and psychological integrity of the detainees and order their immediate release;

ii. guarantee an impartial and exhaustive enquiry into the facts, find those responsible, bring them to trial, and apply the penal, civil and/or administrative sanctions provided by law;

iii. put an end to the repression conducted against the civilian population and ensure reparation and compensation for the victims of damages;

iv. ensure in all circumstances respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms in accordance with national laws and international standards.

Addresses: Sher Bahadur Deuba, Prime Minister, Cabinet Secretariat

Singha Durbar, Kathmandu, Nepal. Fax : + 977 1 419680

Khagda Prasad Oli, Minister of State for Home Affairs, Ministry of Home Affairs

Singha Durbar, Kathmandu, Nepal. Fax : + 977 1 227 187

Kamal Thapa, Minister of Law and Justice and Parliamentary Affairs

Singha Durbar, Kathmandu, Nepal.

Mr Moti Lal Bohara, Inspector General of Police, Police Headquarters,

Naxal, Kathmandu, Nepal. Fax: + 977 1 415 594

Geneva, 18 March 1996. Kindly inform us of any action undertaken quoting the code number of this appeal in your reply.