Issuing a press statement, the global human rights body asked the US government to urge army chief Gurung to order immediate transfer of Major Niranjan Basnet, charged with the murder of 15-year-old Maina Sunuwar in 2004, into police custody and ensure that he is held accountable through civilian criminal proceedings. [break]
"The Nepal army has steadfastly refused to hold its soldiers accountable, even when the police have shown courage and charged its officers for despicable crimes," the statement quoted Brad Adams, Asia director at the HRW, as saying. "Victims are looking to the US to show leadership and pressure Nepal´s army to come clean on its wartime record."
The US government has set protection of human rights and the rule of law as priorities for providing training and bilateral support to Nepal. The army, however, continues to protect dozens of its officers, including Major Basnet and another soldiers charged with the murder of Maina Sunuwar, the statement said.
HRW urged officials with the defense and state departments to follow-through on this message during their meetings with Gurung in Washington D.C. General Gurung is scheduled to reach D.C. Friday.
"They should make it clear that it is not acceptable that not a single soldier has been brought to justice before a civilian court for grave human rights violations during the country´s conflict," the statement further said.
HRW has also expressed concern over the failure of the Maoists and other Nepali political parties in establishing effective accountability for the abuses committed by both warring sides during the conflict.
Related story
UN probe accuses Israel of crimes against humanity, Hamas of wa...
_20240311121839.jpg)
-1200x560-1779450784.webp)
