According a report unveiled by AF in the capital on Tuesday, 22.3% of detainees have claimed that they were subjected to torture or other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment in detention. [break]
“Juveniles were found particularly vulnerable, with 34.7 % of them claiming they were subjected to torture or other ill-treatment,” says the report.
AF has said that it monitored 57 detention centers in 20 districts across the country. The report has stressed the need for taking initiatives to eradicate torture in the country.
“Nepal must step up to fulfill its promise to the citizens and the international community to address the widespread problem of torture by enacting legislation criminalizing torture and bringing those found responsible to justice,” said AF President Mandira Sharma, adding, “Time has come to get our act together to end pervasive practices of torture and to reform the justice system.”
It has also urged the government to introduce new anti-torture laws and set up an effective and impartial authority for the prosecution of torture, which will be independent from the government and open for victims to cooperate with without fear of reprisals and a robust vetting system for military and police personnel so that perpetrators of human rights abuses are not able to hold positions of authority.
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